In the emerging landscape of the cannabis industry, Carlos Dew arises as a pioneer and community advocate, shaping the narrative of success through his ventures, notably superbad inc. His journey, which began in 2016, reflects a commitment to not only building a global cannabis brand but also addressing the industry’s need for education and social responsibility.
Before stepping into the cannabis sector, Carlos enjoyed a thriving career in sports entertainment, collaborating with prominent figures from the NFL and NBA. However, the pivotal moment came in 2016 with the anticipated legalization of cannabis in California. Recognizing the untapped potential of this burgeoning industry, Carlos transitioned his focus, establishing a cultivation facility “Critical Minds” in Adelanto, California.
Understanding the crucial role of branding in a market lacking recognizable names, Carlos founded superbad inc., aiming to create a distinctive presence in the evolving cannabis landscape. Leveraging his expertise and network from the sports entertainment business, he strategically positioned superbad inc. as a global cannabis company with a focus on building a recognizable brand of the culture.
As superbad inc. gained global recognition, Carlos expanded his endeavors, recognizing the need for education within the cannabis industry. This shift in focus reflects his broader vision for the industry, aiming to contribute to its comprehensive understanding and eventual federal decriminalization.
Prior Journey
Hailing from San Bernardino, California, Carlos’s journey is deeply ROOTED in overcoming challenges. Growing up in an underserved community, he developed a passion for mentoring and empowering others. Throughout his career, Carlos has mentored over 400 individuals, emphasizing the transformative power of education.
The superbad inc. journey evolved into a multi-faceted approach, encompassing various sectors:
- sbi Media Group: Stemming from superbad inc., this media group underscores the importance of pr and media in the cannabis industry.
- Industrial Hemp: Carlos’s interest in the industrial hemp side and organic agriculture led to the creation of Dew Farms and Three Wellness, strategically positioning themselves in the evolving hemp sector.
- sbi Angel Syndicate: Founded to assist people of color and startups in the cannabis industry, this syndicate addresses the challenges faced by marginalized communities, shaped by the failed war on drugs.
- Cannabizness 101 – Green Education Program: Reflecting Carlos’s commitment to mentoring and educating underserved communities, this program stands as a testament to his dedication to making a positive impact.
Carlos’ journey unfolds as a commitment to diversity, education, and mentorship, addressing historical challenges faced by marginalized communities in the cannabis industry. His ventures not only symbolize success in business but also exemplify the transformative power of community-focused initiatives.
Decades of Collaboration
Carlos’s involvement in the agriculture industry expanded beyond cannabis, particularly into the realm of industrial hemp. The passing of the 2018 Farm Bill initiated the decriminalization and utilization of industrial hemp. This legislative development opened up opportunities in agriculture and industrial hemp, and forged great industry and global partnerships.
Their collaborative efforts are not confined to the United States; they are actively engaged in building partnerships and making strides in the global industrial hemp sector. The goal is to become leaders in manufacturing raw materials for various industries, including the automobile, energy, food products, construction, aviation, biofuels, and more.
A notable aspect of Carlos’s contributions is his role as a committee member for the United States Department of Agriculture, focusing on urban agriculture. This adds a layer of commitment to fostering sustainable and innovative practices within the agriculture sector.
The partnership involves a multifaceted approach, incorporating science, genetics, cannabis branding, and breeding to collectively contribute to the advancements and intersections of their respective companies. Their strategic planning and long-term vision underscore their dedication to making a meaningful impact on the agriculture and industrial hemp landscape.
Revolutionizing Industries
Carlos recognizes the omnipresence of technology in our daily lives and emphasizes its pivotal role in their goals, particularly in the hemp sector’s collaboration with the automobile industry. Their focus is on transforming automotive manufacturing using sustainable materials like biocomposites derived from industrial hemp.
This includes plastics for components like glove boxes, dashboards, and doors, as well as wood elements, polymer for paint, and even fuels. The push for sustainable, cost-efficient, and lightweight products has led to innovations in hemp-derived solutions. The company is actively working on proprietary innovations to establish a significant presence in industries such as automotive, energy, and construction.
Looking ahead, there are plans to establish a Hemp Mega Park by 2024, showcasing the company’s commitment to forward-thinking initiatives. The team, including Carlos, his brother Wes Dew, and other members, dedicate time to brainstorming and utilizing science and technology for product innovation.
Their holistic approach spans education, with plans for Hemp Megaplexes in strategic locations like Warren, Michigan, Apple Valley, California, and potential consideration for New Jersey. The journey began with Carlos’s involvement in the cannabis industry, evolving from a focus on smokable marijuana to recognizing the transformative potential of industrial hemp in addressing climate-smart reform and creating a positive global impact.
Intelligence is the New Cool
Carlos emphasizes the importance of intelligence, stating that “intelligence is the new cool.” He then delves into his registered entity, Dew Farms, LLC, which is part of a registered apprenticeship program with the Department of Labor. This program aims to provide agriculture training to young people from underserved communities, veteran farmers, and the broader community. Carlos expresses his excitement about these initiatives, emphasizing their goal of doing things that others might say are not being done.
The apprenticeship program seeks to train individuals who can then expand on their knowledge and teach others in turn. The ultimate aim is to contribute to the growing trend of sustainability and environmental consciousness, aligning with the global shift towards green practices. Carlos hints at future endeavors, mentioning plans related to batteries, solar energy, and other initiatives as part of their apprenticeship program.
Synergy of Purpose
Carlos sees the mutual benefit between superbad inc. and Dew Farms as complimentary because each brand serves a distinct purpose. superbad is a cannabis brand focused on cultivating THC flowers, while Dew Farms operates as an urban agricultural farm, producing organic food, fruits, and vegetables. Both entities prioritize clean, organic cultivation practices, avoiding the use of chemicals. Dew Farms, specifically, was established to provide organic food to underserved and at-risk communities, addressing the lack of access to quality produce in such areas and elimination of food deserts.
Carlos, through his expertise, contributes to the success of both entities. The mutual benefit lies in their shared commitment to clean cultivation, community service, and providing high-quality products to their respective communities. This alignment in values and purpose enhances the overall impact and success of both superbad and Dew Farms LLC.
From Personal Growth to Leadership
Carlos believes that, despite being the same person throughout his life, his understanding of the plant and involvement in the cannabis industry has been a positive evolution. From an educational standpoint and gaining a deeper understanding of the plant, he sees it as a beneficial development. In terms of his business perspective, Carlos notes that he has always had a level head, a clear direction, and a consistent approach to business. While many aspects of himself haven’t changed, he acknowledges that the work he is doing and building in the cannabis industry has positioned him as a leader. Carlos expresses modesty about his leadership role and emphasizes the limitless potential of their trajectory in the industry.
Innovation, Branding, and Trademarking
Carlos emphasizes the role of innovation and technology in the success of superbad inc., particularly in the development of product lines, the sleek and classy look of the brand, and its minimalist design. He notes that the brand’s offerings in the cannabis industry stand out due to their innovative twist, distinguishing them from other craft and small cannabis brands. The brand’s appeal is not whimsical but is based on a top-flight and first-class image.
The tagline, “How bad are you?” is explained as a way to enhance the word “bad” by adding “super” to it, creating a positive and empowering connotation. Carlos highlights that the tagline is versatile and can mean various things, allowing people to identify with it. Additionally, the tagline “DEW it for the CULTURE” plays on Carlos’s last name, “Dew,” and emphasizes the brand’s commitment to being the brand of the culture.
Carlos stresses the importance of trademarking their slogans, considering it a vital step to protect the brand IP. The goal is to maintain a first-class image and align the brand with Carlos’s own lifestyle, reinforcing the brand’s portrayal as a reflection of a first-class lifestyle.
Navigating Unconventional Challenges in the Cannabis Industry
Carlos shares an experience when entering the cannabis industry, highlighting the importance of caution and self-reliance. He recounts a situation where lawyers, initially hired to provide legal assistance, ended up exerting control over the business and attempting to reduce his ownership stake. This taught Carlos a crucial lesson about trust in the industry, leading him to be more cautious and underscored the significance of self-reliance in navigating the complexities of the cannabis business.
Carlos emphasizes the unique challenges of working in the cannabis industry, stating that the laws governing the industry are unconventional. He points out issues such as the absence of traditional banking and specific regulations, such as 280E, which restricts certain deductions for cannabis businesses. Carlos acknowledges the difficulty in navigating these challenges and stresses the importance of ensuring compliance with regulations in the cannabis business.
Leadership Insights Across Ventures
Carlos discusses the leadership challenges he faced in various aspects of his ventures, including superbad inc., sbi Media Sector, DEW Farms, ROOTED IN COMMUNITY, a 501(c)(3), sbi Angel Syndicate, philanthropy, VC firm, and Angel investing. He emphasizes the critical issue of access to capital, particularly for women, individuals from Black, Brown, and other underserved communities entering the cannabis industry.
Carlos shares the importance of reading and understanding legal documents, self-reliance, and the need for leadership skills in navigating challenges. Additionally, he highlights the difficulty of finding banks willing to do business, even in the federally legal industrial hemp sector, due to the stigma and confusion surrounding both sides of “the plant” in the cannabis industry.
Cultivating a Multi-Generational Legacy at DEW Farms
Carlos has ultimate goals for superbad inc. and Dew Farms. For superbad inc., the objective is to go public, while Dew Farms is designed to leave a multi-generational legacy as a family-owned farm. The emphasis is on preserving the business within the Dew family, ensuring that it continues to be managed by future generations, including Carlos’s children, nieces, nephews, and their descendants. Carlos describes himself as the “cannabis mogul and the hemp mogul.”
