Ten Questions for Jonathon Goldrath, 317 Opportunities Co-Founder and Eveready Entrepreneur

Jonathon is Co-Founder of 317 Opportunities with a great deal of success in the burgeoning cannabis industry—Deseret Wellness, Standard Farms, Local Dispensaries—as well as a partner at FocusGrowth Asset Management. He also sits on the board of the Goldrath Family Charitable Fund, which supports S.T.E.M. scholarship and education on Long Island, NY. Jonathon is a creative thinker and can be found at the beach with his board whenever the waves look promising.

1. You have an impressive background in traditional finance. Why did you choose to move into your own entrepreneurial space?

First, let me say that I benefited tremendously both from my education at the Stern School of Business at NYU and from my time spent at credit funds like Fortress and Wingspan. That being said, doing something on my own was always something that I knew I wanted to do. I was just lucky enough to be presented an opportunity to do so.

2. Where did you start as an entrepreneur?

After working in credit investing for over a decade, an opportunity presented itself by chance. The fund I was working at was shutting down and I found myself with a lot of free time on my hands. At the same time Pennsylvania was about to start accepting applications for medical marijuana business licenses after legalizing earlier that year. My partner and I decided to take a chance and run hard at this opportunity. I honestly don’t know if I would have done it had the seemingly negative event of my fund shutting down not happened.

3. Why the legal cannabis space?

From the moment I started digging in I knew cannabis was it. It was cutting edge, had a poor competitive field, barriers to entry, a proven demand model, and real growth. I had never seen anything like it. I also just loved the entrepreneurial and cooperative spirit of the people that were doing it right that I had met early on.

4. What is your typical day like now?

Although I maintain a very particular daily routine, I do not lock myself in my office. Sometimes changing your literal perspective can help you think and process.

Typically, I wake early and do my morning meditation. It’s really important for me to clear my head in order to start my day. After a small breakfast I go through my inbox, read the relevant news, and make the calls there are to be had. Then, if it’s a good day, I go surfing. If not, I workout. Once that is over, I start the process again.

The clear mind and strong body connection sets my day up to be both productive and successful. Another thing that I think is really important for sustainable success is to choose a definitive end to your business day. In other words, once I call it a day, it’s over.

5. What’s your most important quality as a successful entrepreneur?

It sounds cliche but being able to empathize and make personal connections. I did every single job at our first operational company, it paid huge dividends from a leadership, managerial and investment perspective.

6. Where do most upcoming entrepreneurs drop the ball?

I think too many people are obsessed with a huge financial win —whether they have a good idea or not—instead of focusing on building connections, relationships, and creatively engaging with partners that can carry the ball forward.

7. What quality would you encourage upcoming entrepreneurs to foster?

Again, I’d have to say focus and patience. Patience is another important quality that’s too often overlooked in the rush to score. In a single word it’s important to remind yourself to “wait”.

8. What’s coming around the corner in 2021?

I’m really excited about the opportunities for change in United States cannabis. We are going to participate in a massive evolution of financial markets and products. Aside from financial innovation, we are going to see a ton of growth with new states coming on at an accelerating pace.

9. What’s one of the most important lessons you learned as an entrepreneur?

Know your weaknesses. Find a strong partner that compliments you.

10. What’s important to you today?

More than ever, it’s giving back to make sure others have the same opportunities I did. In the past year my wife and I founded a not-for-profit which supports Science Technology Engineering and Math (S.T.E.M.) based education on eastern Long Island. I can say that it’s been a truly inspiring endeavor as it takes me back to my roots from both a geographic and academic perspective.

This article does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or management of EconoTimes