Lana Van Brunt and Hayley Dineen, founders of Sackville & Co., initially gained attention when their company was acquired by 48North. However, the subsequent struggle for control is less widely known. Founded in 2018, Sackville & Co. aimed to disrupt the male-dominated cannabis design and accessory market. Their vision was clear: create aesthetically pleasing, art-inspired products that resonate with a diverse audience, one often overlooked by traditional cannabis brands.
“Sackville was born out of our desire to see cannabis represented in a new light and to highlight the diversity of the cannabis audience,” Van Brunt shared in an exclusive interview with Benzinga.
In March 2020, Van Brunt and Dineen found themselves in a fierce legal battle to reclaim control of their company when 48North’s new leadership decided to shut them down. Despite the intense struggle, they emerged victorious after months of negotiation.
“At the beginning of March 2020, we began the fight to buy back our company. After a tough legal battle, we came out victorious, with our company back in our hands and a significant amount of legal debt,” Van Brunt said.
Relieved to have their company back, they faced the challenge of repaying a substantial legal debt. They opted for a classic yet effective strategy: going door-to-door, leveraging their sharp market insight and forging partnerships. This approach proved successful, leading to recovery and significant growth.
Market experts often emphasize the importance of presenting a solution to a problem when selling a product. For Van Brunt, the problem was the cannabis industry’s neglect of a demographic like hers. “We created the company to make products for ourselves because no other brand was targeting the female demographic or seeing the accessories market as a meaningful opportunity,” she told Benzinga. This approach proved fruitful, leading to collaborations with prominent clients like Curaleaf, GTI, Old Pal, Miss Grass, WME, and Cresco Labs.
Their success goes beyond luxury items and fashionable accessories. “We offer a range of creative services to turn ideas into tangible products,” Van Brunt added.
Operating as a bootstrapped company hasn’t hindered Sackville & Co.’s growth. The brand seamlessly blends art, music, fashion, and culture into its products, resulting in impressive outcomes. “Our businesses are growing significantly, with a CAGR of 105%. It’s been an incredible journey, and we’re proud of our progress!” Van Brunt exclaimed.
While crafting innovative products from inspirational foundations is at the core of the company, profitability isn’t their sole focus. Van Brunt emphasized their commitment to broader impacts as both manufacturers and consumers. “We don’t want to buy from companies that stand for nothing, and we don’t want to create a company that doesn’t contribute to the greater good. The cannabis industry has many issues that need immediate attention and resolution.”
This commitment has led to collaborations with social justice initiatives like the Last Prisoner Project and the Women’s Prison Association, further solidifying their dedication to making a positive impact.
As part of their ongoing success, Sackville & Co. recently launched a limited-edition piece capturing New York City’s vibrant spirit in collaboration with Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA, one of many impactful collaborations. “We love seeing the industry grow and watching independent brands emerge with fresh perspectives on how cannabis fits into daily life. Cannabis has been embraced so widely in New York, and we’re thrilled to be part of that evolution,” Van Brunt said. “And this is just the beginning,” she concluded.
Image: Courtesy of Sackville and Co.
