In Ohio’s young cannabis market, long-term retail success depends on the ability to connect people, products, and consumers into a single strategy. The right team on the ground builds the customer experience that earns trust — a critical advantage against illicit operators and smoke shops offering unregulated alternatives. At the same time, retailers who understand and anticipate product trends can strengthen those consumer relationships while driving sales. This panel brings it all together, showing how talent, trust, and trends work in concert to create resilient and profitable retail operations.