Chris Jones

Growing a Successful Cannabis Business Takes Passion and Dedication

Chris Jones (’19) credits his MBA from McMaster as a key to his success

When the Federal Government legalized Cannabis in 2018, there was a lot of discussion about how the industry would impact Canada’s economy. But as a new and growing industry in the country, it has undergone rapid shifts, faced intense competition, and faced several regulatory changes in the six years that it’s been around.

“Building and scaling a profitable cannabis retail chain in Canada has been no small feat. Balancing growth with sustainability has been a delicate line to walk,” says Chris Jones, the Founder and CEO of CANNABIS XPRESS, one of the country’s largest and profitable private cannabis retailers.

When Ontario’s licensing began, Chris took the leap and opened his first retail cannabis business. He managed to grow it to four retail locations and eventually sold the business. That’s when he launched CANNABIS XPRESS, which now boasts 17 stores (and counting) in both New Brunswick and Ontario, more than 65 employees and annual sales of eight figures.

“My goal is to inspire others who come from non-traditional backgrounds or who feel limited by industry challenges to see that with determination and vision, they can make a difference,” says Chris.

Chris says that his ultimate goal is to build a brand recognized for valuing both its employees and its customers.

“As the cannabis industry continues to evolve, I believe it’s vital to advocate for responsible practices and educate consumers. This not only helps destigmatize cannabis but also promotes a healthier industry overall,” he says.

It runs in the family

Chris says his entrepreneurial spirit comes naturally, his father was a serial entrepreneur and would often have Chris tag along to business meetings.

“Being immersed in that world from such a young age sparked my own passion for business,” he says. “Watching my father handle different ventures and the excitement he had for his work made me realize that I wanted to one day run my own business too.”

Being a business leader is something Chris is proud of, but he says his journey hasn’t always followed a straight path. After earning his undergraduate degree from the Ted Rogers School of Management at the Toronto Metropolitan University in 2014, he spent several years working and building experience. In 2016 he entered the MBA program at McMaster, where he found himself thriving in the innovative learning environment.

“DeGroote’s extensive alumni network and industry connections provided valuable opportunities for me to connect with leaders and experts, which was essential for my growth in the competitive cannabis retail industry,” says Chris.

Chris also benefitted from the co-op program, which gave him unique opportunities to connect and learn directly from industry leaders at the time. He says that his time at McMaster gave him the opportunity to develop valuable skills and gain the necessary knowledge to succeed.

“By keeping an open mind, seizing every opportunity, and building relationships with people from all walks of life, I was able to expand my skills, stay on top of industry trends, and eventually launch my own business,” he says. “I still know I have a lot more to accomplish as an entrepreneur and will be investing in more businesses and starting more both in the cannabis industry and outside of it in the future. My current plan is to continue to scale my business in New Brunswick, where we are the largest private cannabis retailer, and then eventually sell the business afterwards.”