Smoking devices have come a long way in the past few decades. Along with the rise of dry herb and concentrate vaporizers, bongs and pipes have become more ornate, balancing art and function. My Bud Vase has taken the this a step further by creating truly unique smoking pieces that fit as naturally as a centerpiece on a coffee table as they do in a college dorm room.
For My Bud Vase founder Doreen Sullivan, My Bud Vase represents a labor of love born from her background in entertainment marketing and product development—skills she’s deftly applied to this burgeoning luxury cannabis brand. In an exclusive interview, Sullivan shared insights into how she managed to turn My Bud Vase from a small-scale, hidden art project into a celebrated luxury lifestyle brand.
A Startup Story Rooted in Art and Resilience
“My Bud Vase began as an art project,” Sullivan recalled.
What started as a hobby grew out of her desire to repurpose antique vases into functional cannabis paraphernalia. Leveraging her expertise in global product development, she sourced vases at estate sales, carefully selecting pieces that could transform into “leading ladies” of her collection. Initially, this was a low-cost venture, allowing her to test her creative ideas without significant financial risk.
“My initial investment strategy was minimal because I was working within a legal gray area,” she said, referring to other marketing projects. By keeping her startup costs low, she found herself with a product that offered both form and function, without the burden of large upfront investment—a crucial step for anyone entering a high-risk, regulation-heavy industry.
Bootstrapping, Growth, and the First Million
By 2020, Sullivan’s background in product development paid off in the most unforeseen way. “We became essential,” she noticed, referencing how cannabis sales surged during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Already, Sullivan had carefully cultivated a loyal customer base, one that appreciated the blend of artistry and subtlety My Bud Vase offered. Demand soared, and by August 2021, the brand had reached its first million in sales, setting a pace for a record year.
However, Sullivan’s financial strategies weren’t traditional. Rather than seeking investor capital early on, she opted to bootstrap her operations. This meant reinvesting her revenue directly into inventory, distribution, and marketing. She doubled down on the brand’s signature product lines, producing designs that appealed to both cannabis enthusiasts and those who might enjoy the piece as a decorative vase.
Seizing the Creative Edge in a Competitive Market
In an industry saturated with low-cost, mass-produced items, My Bud Vase emphasizes quality and unique craftsmanship—a risky approach that requires careful financial planning. But for Sullivan, this emphasis on creativity and design serves as the cornerstone of her brand.
“The industry doesn’t always invest in creativity,” she explained. “There’s a lot of thrown-together products.”
Sullivan’s approach is different. Each product tells a story, from her “Mermaid” series that supports ocean conservation to her “Turtle” piece inspired by a month-long journey through various national forests. In financial terms, these product lines stand out in the market, creating higher perceived value, which she noted has driven her brand to become one of the most collected cannabis accessories on the market.
Challenges on the Path to Scale: Supply Chain and Federal Seizures
While My Bud Vase had momentum, the path wasn’t smooth. Scaling up meant Sullivan needed to navigate the complexities of an international supply chain, a common challenge for small businesses but particularly daunting in the cannabis industry. She described a pivotal moment when she faced unexpected roadblocks:
“I had two containers seized at port, amounting to $1.5 million in product.”
Federal agents flagged the items as cannabis paraphernalia, even though, as Sullivan clarified, they were technically vases with small holes—still functional as decorative items. This misinterpretation cost Sullivan both inventory and operational stability, forcing her to relocate her distribution center to Las Vegas.
Despite these setbacks, Sullivan remained resilient.
“I had to shift resources rapidly and rent out my home,” she recalled. “I self-funded, liquidating personal assets to rebuild my inventory.”
This resilience, she believes, is critical to running any cannabis-adjacent business, where regulatory uncertainty continues to loom over even compliant operations.
Financial Success Meets Creative Strategy
While traditional revenue goals focus on units sold or margins, My Bud Vase tracks success a bit differently.
“For me, it’s about becoming collectible,” Sullivan shared. “When customers own four or five of our pieces, that’s a relationship.”
By curating collections and periodically releasing limited editions, she fosters brand loyalty while ensuring her products maintain value and uniqueness. It’s an approach that resonates with an audience drawn to novelty and personalization—a demographic Sullivan knows well, as she considers herself a lifelong cannabis consumer.
However, Sullivan isn’t solely focused on high-end collectors. Part of her strategy involves offering a range of products at different price points. By creating affordable yet elegant options alongside her pricier items, she caters to a broader audience while maintaining brand exclusivity.
As she noted, “It’s important to provide something beautiful and functional for everyone, regardless of budget.”
The Future: From Product to Lifestyle
Looking forward, Sullivan is positioning My Bud Vase to evolve beyond cannabis accessories. Her vision? A lifestyle brand that caters to the modern, design-conscious consumer, with pieces that fit seamlessly into home decor. She’s already begun experimenting with thematic “sets,” like the “Fiesta” collection, which pairs her signature bongs with complementary accessories like ashtrays and trays.
“I want to offer complete experiences, transforming cannabis consumption into something elegant and inviting,” she said.
Securing Strategic Partnerships for Growth
Sullivan knows the path to growth requires additional capital and strategic partners, but she’s cautious about compromising her creative control. She’s looking for partners who understand the importance of maintaining the brand’s artisanal roots.
“I need a team that will let me do what I do best—design, create, and innovate,” she said.
Redefining the Value of Cannabis Products
In an industry where utility often overshadows aesthetics, My Bud Vase has pioneered a new narrative, treating cannabis products as collectible art. Sullivan’s journey underscores a critical takeaway for cannabis entrepreneurs: success requires a balance of passion, resilience, and creative financial management. While many rush to scale through external funding, Sullivan’s choice to bootstrap and maintain ownership has allowed her to stay true to her vision.
As Sullivan builds her brand, she’s challenging the conventions of the cannabis market, proving that financial success and artistry can coexist.
*This article first appeared in Cannabis & Tech Today Vol. 6 Issue 3.
