A Founder’s Story with California’s Leading Cannabis Attorney And Entrepreneur, Tatev Oganyan

I’m Tatev Oganyan, a California cannabis attorney and entrepreneur passionate about creating premium products. My consulting firm, The Oganyan Agency, is the only legal and business consulting firm specializing in building and scaling compliant commercial cannabis businesses in California from seed to sale. We can license and permit your wildest cannabis dreams. I met my husband, Cole Morgan, in law school and we recently wed in Cabo San Lucas. We both practice cannabis law in Orange County and have served as mentors to young lawyers since graduating.

Tell us about your childhood and where you grew up

I was born in Echmiadzin, Armenia, and immigrated to Burbank, California in 1992 at the age of three with my parents and sister. I am a first-generation immigrant and I identify with the Cali Armenian culture, which is the highest concentration of Americans of Armenian descent. I remain connected to my community through grassroots political advocacy. I was fortunate enough to be sworn into the California bar by Judge Armenui Amy Ashvanian, who is the only immigrant born in Armenia to become a Superior Court Judge. I hope her story and mine motivate women to think and create without boundaries when practicing law.

How did you get started as an entrepreneur?

I launched my political consulting career in college when I ran my first local school board election. I landed the job after volunteering for a few Armenian American campaigns. While I studied in school, I practiced in the workforce. With the successful completion of one project, I secured the next as I built my network and reputation. Fast forward to today, I am proud to say that most of my cannabis business comes directly from client referrals.

What is one business lesson you would tell a startup founder?

Make time for creative outlets, they help startups stay innovative, which is key for survival. Lately, I enjoy curating unique dinners with cannabis companies, such as taste testing events, to combine work with play. I was inspired by the book You’re Invited by Jon Levy, which focuses on bringing people together at a stranger’s house to enrich their lives through unique experiences and spiritual connections. Most recently, I hosted a Happy High Hour at our home office, which was an exclusive taste testing event for industry insiders and influencers to meet Trendi, an indoor premium California flower brand that launched this summer.