· By Kiaro Cannabis
International Women's Day 2023: An Interview with Zyre
We sat down with Audrey, CEO and founder of Zyre to discuss Women's Day and celebrate her successes. Since we last chatted with Audrey, Zyre has become BC’s #1 selling full-spectrum vapes. It’s ultra-smooth draw, all-ceramic flavoured cured resin vapes are customized to enhance your different vibes. Follow them @ZyreLife on IG/TikTok/Twitter/LinkedIn www.ZyreLife.com
Why do you think it is important to celebrate International Women’s Day?
If you are a woman, or have a woman in your life, that you sometimes forget to celebrate, then International Women’s Day is a great reminder! It’s also a great excuse to vape some Zyre with your friends and enjoy the friendship and company of women.
The theme of this year’s Women’s Day is “Embrace Equity”, what does that mean to you?
As an Asian Canadian woman, 'Embrace Equity' means breaking out of my model minority stereotype and joining all women in demanding equal rights and opportunities. It means recognizing that women of color, like myself, can face challenges that are nuanced beyond just being a woman. Also it’s calling for men to proactively inform themselves of gender-based inequities and participate in the discourse.
Have you faced any barriers in your career due to being a woman? If so, how did you overcome them?
One that baffles me is some people thinking women can’t work together without tearing each other down. I find so much satisfaction and joy connecting with and working with other women and Asian women! I wonder if it’s a misunderstanding due to how women communicate differently than men. It’s a sweeping generalization, but I feel as a whole women are more likely to express thoughts and feelings to our circles that are negative and positive (ie. We will talk about the person at work that frustrated us, but also speak excitedly of people that have inspired us). And perhaps vocalizing frustration makes some listeners conclude it’s a “she doesn't like this person” vs “she is frustrated with this person at this particular moment”.
What is the most important piece of advice you have been given?
While in law school I was advised to look for firms that shared my workplace cultural ideals. At first, I didn't quite understand what that meant. But as I've progressed in my career and encountered different work environments, I've come to realize just how important it is to find a company that aligns with your sense of self. For me, that means creating Zyre to value diversity, inclusion, and create space for ideas. I also value flexibility and understanding so Zyre mirrors those ideals as well.
My advice to others is to look for a job that's not just a job, but a community where you can connect with others who share your experiences and values.
What do you see or wish for in the future of the cannabis industry?
Zyre spearheaded an International Women’s Day campaign this year that brought in 3 other women-owned cannabis brands. In the course of it I learned that there’s only a handful of us in the industry in total. I would cry tears of joy if in future years this campaign takes on a life of its own featuring hundreds of women-owned brands in the Canadian Cannabis space.
Any significant learnings you’ve come across so far as a female in the cannabis industry?
I’ve learned that there are barely any women-owned cannabis companies in this space and we’re always overjoyed to find one another.
Who inspires you in your career?
Every time I see someone thoughtfully shift their careers into cannabis with a clear vision and strategy I’ve been inspired. But to be honest, I wish there was a nation-wide, market-leading, woman-owned cannabis company that I could fan-girl over. Fingers-crossed that it’s soon.
If you could have dinner with three inspirational women, dead or alive, who would they be and why?
Well, RBG was my original first pick, but she didn’t strike me as much of a partier. So I’m going with Indra Nooyi, Mindy Kaling, and Oprah.
Indra Nooyi is a true trailblazer, having broken numerous glass ceilings during her tenure as CEO of PepsiCo. Mindy Kaling is an absolute powerhouse in the entertainment industry, and her ability to make people laugh while also promoting representation and diversity is truly inspiring. And then there's Oprah, she's one of the most successful and influential people of all time.
Overall, I think these three women would bring such incredible insight, experience, and inspiration to the table. Plus, they strike me as party people.