Maxime Kot is the president of Phoenix-based The Cannabis Business Advisors, a multi-faceted consulting firm providing business guidance for cannabis license applicants and current license holders across the US as well as Canada. Learn about Maxime Kot…
Follow at: @maximekot; @thecbadvisors
Hometown: Singapore and Malaysia
First job: Intern with Estee Lauder Companies
Favorite ways to spend your free time in AZ: Anything, anywhere with the people I love. Exploring new restaurants, laying by the pool and stand-up comedians, to name a few.
Your biggest accomplishment and why: Being a part of, and thriving in, an industry that was once frowned upon. Being able to build a successful career and businesses within the cannabis space has truly been an accomplishment. With that being said, I have a really good support system professionally and personally and would not be here without either.
The biggest obstacle you overcame: I moved a lot growing up – living in different countries and states (within the U.S.), having to adapt to new environments wasn’t always easy, but that experience allowed me to apply that to my career in the fastest-growing industry in the U.S.
Someone who inspires you and why: My mother. She taught me resilience and grace. “If there is a will, there is a way,” she always says. Giving up is not in my nature.
Advice to someone pursuing a career path in what you do: You need to want it more than anyone else. You can have mentors/leaders guide or teach you, but at the end of the day, you need to have a genuine want to know, want to learn…you have to have the passion for what you do. Understand things are going to be hard some days and if you don’t learn to ride the wave and give up instead – because endless options exist in our everyday society – then you will never make it in this industry.
Favorite quote: “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” –Winston Churchill
Something someone would be surprised to learn about you: I grew up in three different countries and speak four languages.
What makes someone fabulous: The craft of being powerful and respected, but remaining kind and humble.