Five Questions with Coree Schmitz, General Manager of Ripple at Stillwater Brands

Peek Behind the Cannabis Communications Curtain with Grasslands

One of the perks of working at a cannabis PR and marketing agency is getting to know our legendary clients—and having an inside look at some of the most innovative brands in international cannabis. In this monthly series we ask a different client the same five questions, and we share those tasty cannabis communications tidbits with our friends, peers, clients and strategic partners right here on the Grasslands Blog—so thanks for reading. 

This month we’re excited to spotlight Coree Schmitz, general manager of Ripple at Stillwater Brands

1. What is your favorite part about working with Stillwater Brands? It’s always easier to paint values on the wall than really live them. My favorite part about Stillwater Brands is that our values shine through when it's easy, but they also shine through when it's hard. At Stillwater we have a living document that outlines our values, and I get to carry these out and have a leadership team that supports my decisions. Championing these values every day makes me proud to work for Stillwater Brands.
2. What was your most interesting job before working in cannabis? I was a cheesemonger at The Truffle Cheese Shop on 6th Avenue in Denver! There are few jobs where you get to take such common ingredients and turn them into a whole world of different tastes and products. I've always been a big believer in food as a way to bring people together. 
3. Where can we find you after work? Pre-COVID, the most likely place was either a Denver dive bar or DIA. Working in the Denver startup scene for a long time, you learn to really value your privacy and authenticity, so I love being able to go to a bar and be myself. Additionally, travel is everything that I believe in. It's getting to know new people, cultures, food and values. I will always be the person wearing a shirt from 2000 but buying a plane ticket to somewhere else in the world.
4. Tell us your go-to karaoke song: Come Fly With Me by Frank Sinatra. 100%. I grew up on Sinatra and Johnny Cash—they remind me of home and my family. And it's just killer music. Can't beat it. 

What advice would you give to other industry professionals? Don't discredit your personal skills. The cannabis industry has already done an incredible job leading the charge, but in order to push the boundaries of what this industry can be, you have to lean on what you can bring to the table. You should be proud of your skills and the way that you personally interact with the plant.