MISSION
We believe in the power of the Plant and the People. At a high level, we aim to shift the narrative- ultimately making the cannabis industry less intimidating by approaching it from a wellness angle. By maintaining a level of curiosity- encouraging conscious consumption, learning and discovery- we are passionate about bringing people together all for the mutual respect of cannabis. We offer the public an inclusive environment to connect with some of CA’s biggest (& smallest) brands.
A2 TEAM
KeiLani Yanagihara
Founder & CEO
"We have to make room for education by adjusting the focal points of this industry and making it accessible to the masses. The sustainability of a brand, in an industry as volatile & ever-changing as this one, relies on the repeat customer - and it's time for consumers to know their power.. We are here to bridge the gap."
KeiLani has been a prominent figure in the Cannabis industry since 2007. With a wealth of hands-on experience, she has expertise in all aspects of cannabis retail management, including: retail staffing and product training, strategic sourcing and product placement, operating procedures and overall personnel management. Her reputation for knowledge and expertise flourished at 99 High Tide, where she gained recognition in Malibu's premier dispensary, serving the top 1% of our nation.
As the market shifted from medical to recreational in 2016, KeiLani adapted- shifting into a Director of Sales role with “Chong’s Choice,”- Tommy Chong’s celebrity cannabis brand, and then again with “Defonce,” a luxury cannabis chocolate bar. Today, she leads a team of 50 statewide promotional salespeople, specializing in high-end brand representation and data-driven account management. KeiLani is passionate about business development and has strong industry relationships, driving A2's strategic partnerships, brand building, and expansion.
As an advocate of integrative healing and plant medicine, KeiLani is dedicated to helping others understand the benefits of cannabis. She is a native of Los Angeles and currently resides in Ventura County with her three daughters and fiancé.
Caroline Johnson
Co-Founder | Communications Director
From budtending to retail management, brand ambassador work and sales, Caroline has experience on multiple sides of the industry. She formerly exercised her Journalism degree working at various PR firms before finding cannabis, and her background in public relations and writing fuels her capacity to create impactful partnerships, successful messaging, and well-rounded brand stories. Her experience in sales, both consumer-facing and wholesale, has provided her with a 360 view of what it takes to succeed in the space, and she has a deep understanding of customer satisfaction and how to retain brand loyalty. This experience has allowed her to serve as a successful Communications Director, supervising conversation with just under 300 retail partners, gathering insights on infield and in-store sales on behalf of our ambassadors. Also a copywriter, she is a key contributor to the marketing arm of A2 as her expertise lies in brand positioning and storytelling. Caroline possesses a retail license in Stockton, CA, and is currently undergoing the permitting process. Her dispensary is slated to open later this year.
Having been born and raised in Kansas, California has offered Caroline a different lifestyle and career than she ever could have imagined growing up in the Midwest. Attracted to the excitable and ever-evolving nature of the industry, Caroline believes that cannabis is medicine first and it is her passion to expand its accessibility to everyone nationwide. She lives in West Hollywood with her close friend and roommate, and three cats: Tom, Dusky and Genie.