Case Study
Cultivate Holdings LLC
Explore how Catalyst BC partnered with Cultivate Holdings LLC to streamline operations, optimize cultivation performance, and scale their presence in a competitive cannabis market. From strategic consulting to facility design improvements, this case study highlights the impact of data-driven cannabis consulting.
A Decade of Harvest Success—Trusted by Leading Cannabis Operators Worldwide
Background & Challenge
Cultivate Holdings LLC, a vertically integrated cannabis operator in Massachusetts, found itself at a pivotal moment when a major multi-state operator (MSO) expressed strong interest in acquiring the business. The proposed deal included a significant earn-out period, with success tied directly to performance metrics: increases in flower yield, wholesale distribution, and retail sales. As CFO of Cultivate Holdings, the executive overseeing this deal recognized the need for expert guidance—especially in optimizing both an indoor multi-tier facility and a greenhouse.
Recognizing the high stakes and complexity of the situation, Cultivate’s CFO turned to Catalyst BC, a boutique cannabis consulting firm known for its results-driven approach and a solid reputation built purely on word-of-mouth referrals. The mandate was clear: optimize operations quickly and decisively to secure the earn-out and maximize company valuation.
Garden Productivity & Cost Reduction
Doubling Flower Yields
Within eight months, Cultivate’s average flower yield soared to nearly double previous benchmarks, peaking at 109 grams per square foot, with a noticeable improvement in quality and consistency. This yield acceleration and quality enhancement allowed Cultivate to increase and fulfill product demand while maximizing revenue per gram.
Efficiency Improvements
Catalyst BC implemented targeted strategies to streamline clone selection, propagation timelines, vegetative staging, and labor allocation—all while upholding strict quality assurance and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) protocols. These operational refinements unlocked greater production capacity, improved workflow consistency, and contributed directly to stronger EBITDA margins.
Wholesale & Retail Sales Enhancement
Wholesale Insights
As yields climbed, Cultivate needed to move a larger volume of product. Catalyst BC implemented strategies for inventory flow, pricing tiers, and sell-through efficiency. The result was improved sell-through rates for in-house products, increased retail and wholesale sales stores, and boosted top-line revenue.
Customer-Centric Retail
Catalyst BC refocused the dispensary experience around interactive, customer-driven engagement to elevate dispensary performance. The team developed and implemented targeted training programs focused on bundling, upselling, suggestive selling, and demographic-based product curation. These changes increased average ticket size and fostered stronger brand loyalty and more frequent return visits—transforming the dispensary from a point-of-sale into a performance-driven retail environment.
Brand & Marketing Initiatives
Catalyst BC also identified opportunities to create or retool premium house brands. Their strategic branding of “Chocolate OG” became a standout success story, culminating in one of the top-selling strains in Massachusetts. Visual marketing assets, strategically designed point-of-purchase (POP) materials, and immersive retail-floor storytelling elevated brand perception and drove consumer attention toward higher-margin product lines.
These enhancements improved the in-store experience and reinforced Cultivate’s identity as a premium, customer-focused operator.
Organizational Flexibility & Teamwork
Staff Optimization
Catalyst BC supported leadership in adjusting staffing levels, ensuring that each location maintained optimal productivity while containing labor costs.
Seamless Collaboration
According to Cultivate’s CFO, Catalyst BC adapted swiftly whenever the company needed to pivot, exhibiting transparency, flexibility, and integrity throughout the project.
Results
By the eighth month of the engagement, Cultivate Holdings LLC had nearly doubled its flower yields, streamlined core operations, and substantially increased both retail and wholesale revenues.
These achievements not only met the aggressive goals set during the earn-out period but also attracted a premium valuation upon acquisition—validating the ROI on Catalyst BC’s services.
The CFO particularly praised Catalyst BC for exceeding all expectations, delivering concrete results, and doing so with honesty and a no-nonsense approach.
Cultivate Holdings LLC's Post-Consulting Success
Cultivate Holdings LLC’s success story highlights the unmatched value of Catalyst BC’s industry expertise, operational precision, and collaborative approach.
Catalyst BC’s reputation and proven track record make them a go-to partner for cannabis operators seeking significant performance improvements. From doubling yields in record time to transforming retail spaces into dynamic customer-focused environments, Catalyst BC helped position Cultivate for a successful acquisition—an outcome the CFO calls “an understatement” of the firm’s promised results.
For cannabis companies aiming to scale performance, strengthen valuation, and lead in competitive markets, Catalyst BC is a proven, high-impact ally.
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