Building something that lasts takes more than money — it takes self-belief, grit, and the willingness to keep pushing forward when easier options present themselves.

Putting your name on it only adds to the weight — and the responsibility — to make it work.

As with anything worth doing, there are difficult moments along the journey that demand a leap of faith.

If you want to be different, you have to be willing to swim against the current — to stand out long enough for customers to find their fit.

Daniel LaRusso was that choice for Chris Ball. A nod to his movie-buff personality, the name sent a subtle but direct message to his audience about grit, discipline, and staying true to the craft.

These decisions are easy to reflect on now, but the journey was anything but simple.

This week we sit down with Chris Ball, Founder of Ball Family Farms, to discuss:

The journey from origin to now — and the critical decisions that shaped it
How he’s constantly tinkering forward to stay ahead
The Rare Breed mentorship program and its impact on the next generation of growers

Summary

In this episode, Chris Ball, CEO of Ball Family Farms, shares his journey from the legacy cannabis market to establishing a successful legal cannabis business. He discusses the importance of family in building his brand, the challenges of navigating the cannabis industry, and the significance of quality over quantity in product development. Chris also highlights the role of mentorship through his Rare Breed program, which aims to nurture new talent in the cannabis space. He emphasizes the need for innovation while maintaining a connection to the community and culture of cannabis. The conversation concludes with insights into the realities of being a CEO in the cannabis industry and the importance of resilience and adaptability.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Chris Ball and His Journey

03:05 The Birth of Ball Family Farms

05:58 Building the Family Business

09:01 Branding and Marketing Strategies

11:55 The Power of Unique Strain Names

15:12 Recognizing Success and Growth

17:53 Expanding the Strain Lineup

21:00 Navigating Challenges and Decisions

24:00 Trusting the Process and Team

26:48 Collaboration with Hood Baby

28:09 Lessons from the COVID Crash

29:37 Building a Stronger Team

31:34 Recognizing Talent in the Industry

33:52 The Importance of Mentorship

37:31 Balancing Innovation and Tradition

46:32 The Rare Breed Program: Nurturing New Talent

Guest Links

https://www.instagram.com/chrisball45/?hl=en
https://x.com/BallFamilyFrms
https://www.linkedin.com/company/ball-family-farms/
https://www.ballfamilyfarms.com/
https://www.instagram.com/ballfamilyfarms

Our Links

Bryan Fields on Twitter

Kellan Finney on Twitter

The Dime on Twitter

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Chris Ball

Episodes with Chris Ball