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Chico, California
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Bryan Bussey

Go-to-market strategy, partnerships, business development, sales execution, brand growth, market expansion

Business development and go-to-market strategist with CPG roots at PepsiCo and leadership across cannabis packaging, extracts, and industry partnerships.

California
Oregon
Nevada
Florida
Sales
Brand & Go-to-Market
Operations
Finance & Capital Strategy
Consumption Lounges
Executive Leadership
Expansion / Launch
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Where this operator fits
Cannabis brands ready to scale beyond founder-led sales into structured go-to-market execution
Companies entering new state markets that need partnership and distribution strategy
Organizations looking to build or strengthen B2B sales channels and strategic partnerships
Early-to-growth-stage cannabis businesses that need commercial infrastructure to match their product quality
Quick stats
5+
Years in Cannabis
4
States
5
Leadership Roles
PepsiCo
Pre-Cannabis CPG
Track record

Selected operating experience

CEO
WaxNax LLC

Leads the company's strategic vision, business development, and partnerships while driving product innovation and market expansion within the cannabis industry. Oversees operations, sales, marketing, and investor relations, working with manufacturers, retailers, and industry partners to make cannabis concentrates more accessible through sustainable, consumer-focused solutions.

Multi-brand partnerships across manufacturing and distribution
Advisor
The Emerald Cup

Works alongside leadership to support strategic initiatives that strengthen industry partnerships, expand business opportunities, and enhance community engagement. Provides insight on growth strategy while connecting brands and organizations aligned with The Emerald Cup's mission.

Strategic advisory strengthening industry partnerships
Director of Business Development
Polar Gold Extracts

Led business development initiatives focused on expanding the company's presence in the wellness industry. Built strategic partnerships, drove sales growth, and educated businesses and consumers about the therapeutic potential of CBDa and other plant-based wellness products.

Wellness market expansion through targeted partnerships
Director of Business Development
Eskerium BioSciences

Developed and executed growth strategies that expanded national and international accounts and increased revenue within the regulated hemp and wellness markets. Built strategic partnerships, managed high-value client relationships, and collaborated cross-functionally to support customer success and long-term business objectives.

National and international account growth in hemp and wellness
Account Executive
PayRio

Helped high-risk businesses identify and implement payment processing solutions that improved operational efficiency, reduced costs, and supported long-term growth. Focused on building trusted relationships and delivering solutions that created lasting value for cannabis businesses.

Compliant payment solutions for cannabis businesses
About

Background

Bryan Bussey is a business development and go-to-market strategist with deep roots in both CPG and cannabis. He currently leads WaxNax, a cannabis concentrate packaging company focused on making concentrates more accessible through sustainable, consumer-focused solutions. Before entering cannabis, he built his foundation at PepsiCo/Frito-Lay, rising from District Manager to Zone Business Manager with hands-on experience in cGMP/cGLP environments, distribution logistics, and territory-level P&L management.

Across the cannabis industry, Bryan has held leadership roles spanning business development, strategic partnerships, and market expansion. He served as Director of Business Development at both Polar Gold Extracts and Eskerium BioSciences, and as a strategic advisor to The Emerald Cup. His work consistently centers on building the relationships and commercial infrastructure that move companies from early traction into sustained growth.

Bryan brings particular strength in situations where a company has a strong product but needs the commercial architecture around it: sales channel development, partnership strategy, brand positioning, and the operational discipline to scale without losing what makes the brand work.

Operational context
Cannabis and wellness brands scaling from early traction into multi-market distribution
CPG-adjacent cannabis companies building retail, wholesale, and partnership channels
Emerging brands and product companies that need structured sales and business development leadership
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PairOps Direct fit
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