Up Close & Personal with Blazy Susan CEO

The CEO of the rising empire gives intricate exclusive interview

I recently sat down with the CEO of Blazy Susan. Blazy Susan has already garnered a huge following for its signature pink rolling papers and its namesake rolling spinning tray, a clever riff on the retro concept of Lazy Susan. Celebrity endorsements on Blazy Susan include: Jimmy Kimmel, Justin Bieber, Adam Levine, Pitbull, Scott Storch, Bella Thorne, Cypress Hill, Three 6 Mafia / Juicy J, Curren$y, Taylor Gang, N.O.R.E / Drink Champs, Adriana Chechik, EARTHGANG, J.I.D, E40, Baby Bash, Griselda Records (Benny The Butcher, Conway the Machine, Westside Gunn), Smoke DZA, Internet Money, Jadakiss, Nicky Diamonds, Nick Colletti, Tanner Hall, Tyla, Rich Rocka, G Rex, DJ Afterthought, Peekaboo, R1.

How did the idea for your business come about?

Blazy Susan CEO: I had just moved out to Colorado, and was experiencing the legal weed scene for the first time. I lived in a household with a bunch of messy stoners. Coming from a military school background, this was something that was always drastically different for me. One day, while high on the couch, I was looking at the dirty coffee table and had an epiphany — that’s how the idea of the original Blazy Susan tray came to me. The rest of the business has been a natural evolution of ideas from that moment.

How do you find people to bring into your organization that truly care about the organization the way you do?

Blazy Susan CEO: You never really know until someone is actually in the door and working, but you can usually get a feeling during interviews. Someone may answer all the questions correctly, and may check all the boxes, but you never really know till you’re working shoulder to shoulder with them on a daily basis. I think that by keeping our company as lean as possible, and being very calculated with our hiring decisions, we keep turnover low. At the end of the day, passion, vision, and work ethic are the most important things here.

What three pieces of advice would you give to others who want to become entrepreneurs?

Blazy Susan CEO: Be prepared for disappointment and frustration. It’s not going to be an easy journey. You’re going to have some loooooong days, and you’ll probably have your back against the wall more than once.

• It might take years to see if your idea is a good one. Success doesn’t come overnight, and it’s not a linear path. There will be many ups and downs, but if you’re really on to something, then it will work out in the end.
• Be realistic with your expectations. You’re probably not going to take over the world overnight. Set realistic goals, but believe in yourself.

If you had the chance to start your career over again, what would you do differently?

Blazy Susan CEO: Honestly, I wouldn’t change a thing. My past has brought me to where I am today. I wouldn’t be the person and the businessman that I am today without my past, including both my successes and my failures.

You can keep up with @BlazySusan on IG/FB