Budtender Spotlight: August Recap

The Budtender Spotlight continues to celebrate the incredible people behind the counter — the ones who keep cannabis culture thriving through their knowledge, care, and everyday impact. Each month, budtenders are nominated across several meaningful categories, including:

• Trail Blazer — pushing the industry forward with fresh ideas, leadership, and passion
  
  
• Have Your Bud’s Back — dependable, supportive, and always ready to help their team
  
  
• High Spirits — bringing good energy, positivity, and a great vibe wherever they go
  
  
• Rooted in Integrity — embodying honesty, trust, and strong values in everything they do
  
  
• Customer Champion — going above and beyond to create amazing experiences for every customer
  
  
• Strain Specialist — knowing their products inside and out

In August, we received an incredible wave of nominations from across the industry, and we’re excited to highlight a standout group of budtenders who truly went above and beyond their roles. These passionate pros aren’t just selling cannabis — they’re building community, shaping experiences, and keeping the culture alive.

We caught up with each winner to hear their story — from the moments that keep them inspired, to the team dynamics that make their dispensary feel like home. At KayaPush, we know that thriving cannabis businesses are built on strong teams, and these budtenders are living proof. Let’s take a look at our August winners.

‍

Introducing Our August Winners & Their Dispensaries

Alex Penwitt from Ivy Hall Peoria (IL, USA)

Alex Penwitt defines Have Your Bud’s Back with his unwavering positivity, dependable leadership, and constant support for his team. Known for his “can-do” attitude, no matter the challenge, Alex has built not only a strong team but also a thriving business rooted in trust and collaboration. As a Manager, he’s both resourceful and dependable, always ready to step in and help his staff succeed. His dedication has fostered a workplace where everyone feels supported, valued, and motivated — making Ivy Hall Peoria not just a dispensary, but a team-driven community.‍

Ivy Hall Peoria is part of Ivy Hall’s growing network of “sensory dispensaries,” designed to transform cannabis shopping into an engaging, welcoming experience. With a focus on customer care, education, and community connection, the dispensary blends a boutique atmosphere with a wide selection of high-quality products. Ivy Hall is redefining what cannabis retail can feel like — approachable, inspiring, and rooted in service.
‍

Gabrielle Hilley from Joe’s Buds (NY, USA)

Gabrielle Hilley embodies the spirit of a true Customer Champion. With her warm, welcoming presence, she makes every guest feel at ease — whether guiding first-timers through their very first experience or helping seasoned customers discover the perfect strain. Her positive energy shines through in every interaction, turning routine visits into memorable moments. Gabby’s commitment to education, care, and creating meaningful connections elevates the customer experience and sets a standard for service that goes above and beyond.

Gabrielle brings her warmth and dedication to Joe’s Buds, a Syracuse dispensary known for its welcoming, approachable environment and wide selection of flower, pre-rolls, edibles, tinctures, and more. Joe’s Buds makes quality cannabis accessible to everyone, offering competitive pricing and a customer-first approach. With a focus on education, personalized service, and genuine connection, Gabrielle embodies the dispensary’s mission every day, turning each visit into a positive, confidence-building experience for both newcomers and seasoned enthusiasts alike.

Marissa Whiting from Grass & Goodness (NY, USA)

Marissa Whiting exemplifies the core value of Customer Champion, consistently delivering exceptional service through her extensive product knowledge, clear communication, and unwavering professionalism. Her dedication to creating welcoming and informative experiences has earned her the admiration of both customers and colleagues. At Grass & Goodness, Marissa's commitment to excellence ensures that every guest receives personalized guidance, fostering trust and loyalty within the community. ‍

Grass & Goodness in Schenectady, NY, is a community-focused dispensary dedicated to making cannabis approachable and enjoyable for everyone. With a wide selection of flower, pre-rolls, edibles, vapes, and topicals, the dispensary emphasizes education, personalized service, and transparency. Their trained team ensures every customer leaves confident in their choices, while wellness events and community engagement reflect their commitment to connection, positivity, and a welcoming environment.

Jan Acosta from Vibe by California (CA, USA)

Jan Acosta embodies the core value of Trail Blazer, driving innovation and setting new standards in the cannabis industry. Since starting as a budtender, Jan has grown into a versatile leader, excelling in multiple roles and recently stepping into the Marketing Content Specialist role thanks to his expertise and initiative. With exceptional skills in photography, videography, and digital content, Jan elevates both the dispensary experience and the broader cannabis community. Known for his humility and dedication, he builds strong personal connections with customers, many of whom he knows by name, while inspiring his team with creativity, passion, and vision.‍

Vibe by California is a community-focused cannabis destination with multiple locations, offering over 500 high-quality, lab-tested products in a welcoming and educational environment. Known for knowledgeable budtenders, everyday value pricing, and support for local growers, Vibe emphasizes accessibility, transparency, and genuine connection. With team members like Jan, who brings creativity, leadership, and a passion for building community both in-store and through digital content, Vibe by California continues to elevate the customer experience and set a high standard for the cannabis industry.

‍

What Keeps Them Coming Back Every Day?

For these budtenders, it’s never just about the plant — it’s about the people they serve and the community they help build. Their passion shines through in every interaction, making the dispensary more than just a workplace. Here’s what motivates them to show up and make a difference day after day:
‍

“It’s nice to work for a place that puts learning first — and customers feel the difference.” – Alex, Ivy Hall Peoria

“I love the ability to educate and help people with cannabis.” – Gabrielle, Joe's Buds

“Helping customers find what they need while staying educated on cannabis.” – Marissa, Grass and Goodness

“The people and the vibes!” —  Jan, Vibe by California

From sparking a smile to guiding someone through their first experience, these budtenders remind us that connection is the real cornerstone of cannabis culture. Whether it’s sparking a smile, guiding someone new, or being a daily dose of good energy, these four are redefining what it means to be on the frontline in cannabis.

‍

What Does Team Culture Feel Like?

We asked each winner to sum up their team culture in just one word — and the responses say everything:

• Cann-Avengers (a play on The Avengers) — Alex
• Kindness — Gabrielle
• Encouraging — Marissa
• Family — Jan 

But it wasn’t just about how they feel in their teams — it was also about how they’re seen. Each budtender was recognized for their dedication, supportiveness, and ability to foster a welcoming, collaborative environment that makes both customers and colleagues feel valued.

‍

Big Thanks to Their Nominators

When we asked what they admired most about the person who nominated them, their answers showed genuine appreciation:
‍

“Her willingness to provide any assistance to help my store achieve our goals and vision.” –  Alex, nominated by Brianna, Director

“The thing I enjoy the most is his heart. His ability to truly care for all of the people around him.” – Gabrielle, nominated by Joe, Owner 

“He has your back and encourages his people to be better, learn more, and be the best we can be at our jobs.” – Marissa, nominated by Tyler, Manager

“Her understanding and fairness.” – Jan, nominated by Amanda, Manager

The support runs deep — just like the roots of this community.

‍

Celebrating the Faces of the Plant

Each month, we shine a light on the people behind the counter — the educators, the empathizers, and the everyday legends of cannabis culture.

To our August winners — Alex, Gabrielle, Marissa, and Jan — thank you for showing up, standing out, and raising the bar!

Know someone who deserves the spotlight? Nominate a budtender who’s making an impact — we’re always looking for the next great story.

‍