@PlatinumLEDTom and
@Dinafem-Mark
How did you guys get into your respective positions? What advice would you give to someone like myself and I'm sure other members here, who want to get their foot in the door of said industry?
I've always been in cannabis, just never really a grower myself. I've worked on a few grows with a buddy of mine in San Francisco back in the mid 2000's. They were pretty much grey market basement grows of around 200 plants. I learn a lot about HID technology back then. I now live in Tampa, FL where Cannabis is pretty much black market, and I have a daughter so, I don't grow myself. I worked for a HID company based out of Oak Ridge TN for four years and was responsible with helping launch a line of controllable HID (CMH and DE) ballasts. While I was there, I worked with a number of scientist and engineers. One of them was credited with developing the first solid state 100% electronic HID ballast. During that time i spent a lot of time researching all types of grow lighting technology on the market (induction, plazma, MH, CMH, HPS, LED, etc...). We had a full lab with an integrated sphere where we could test multiple different types of technologies and compare spectrums and PAR result. I also worked closely with the Plant Sciences department UT Knoxville, on how different spectrums of light effect plant growth. I found it fascinating and learned quite a bit during that time. Unfortunately the line of HID ballasts and controls were never released, because the tech team couldn't get the ballasts working correctly, supply chain and funding issues.
I joined Platinum a recently and have really been impressed with the technology and just how passionate Platinum's customer base is about the product. I believe its a top quality product at a great price. The 5 year warranty and great customer service does hurt either. We have a really great team and just hope that everyone gets the opportunity to smoke the dankest and stankest weed.
My recommendation for anyone getting into some aspect of this space, would be to take a look at the skills they have any how they could be beneficial to this space. This industry needs everyone...growers, accountants, security, sales people, lighting scientists, chemists, etc...you name it. Then dive in an learn as much as you can. Never be afraid to ask questions. Meet with people who are where you wanna be and keep on growing the dream!!!