My Profit Venture Unrolled

Hello everyone!

This business can be very lonely if you want to be successful. Clearly the only way to be safe is to tell as few people as possible. But after 15 years, I am now done.

Like most, I started small. Personal use was my only interest. Then I stated sharing some of my N.L.#5 with a few friends. Soon I didn’t have enough for everyone and I was getting calls from ‘friends of a friend’.

I was in my early twenties. A couple friend at the time, who owned their own home in the country, showed interest in the potential profits that could be made. We discussed the possibility of doing something more, bigger.

The plan: 2400 watt grow room.
This was a little scary. We had to get an electrician to wire up the room, fabricate ventilation. Block the central air system to prevent circulation of any air to-or from that room, etc..

My job was going to be the front man for the operation. So, I moved into an apartment. I ordered all the supplies to my place. I used a credit card in my name. This is where all the capital came from to get things started. We agreed that the first priority would be to pay that off when the profits came rolling in. Then, all profits would be split three ways amongst us.

Soon, my credit was maxed. the reality of the magnitude of what we were about to attempt set in as the room came together and the blinding lights were lit for the first time. My heart sank, stomach twisted in knots. Are we really doing this? What if we get caught? This could make or break all of us and I was the instigator. This could mean PRISON for sure. We all had to swallow down the fear and push forward. It was too late to stop now, this was the ‘point of no return’.

I had been a daily smoker, but had to cut back drastically due the paranoia that became uncontrollable when high.

After driving up to Canada and smuggling ‘white widow’ seeds back into the country, we were set. The first six months were trying to say the least. Lots of set-backs with the new ebb and flow system. I just didn’t have the experience or knowledge to operate it correctly. So, we switched to 5 gallon buckets filled with Pro-Mix dirt. This was much easier as dirt is very forgiving.

Finally, the first batch was done. The whole house smelled like skunk. You could smell it 100 feet before you even got to the house. Luckily it was in the country. We had about 3.5 pounds after curing and we were all very paranoid. We bagged it up into one ounce ziplocs and stored it in my apartment fridge. My apartment stunk and everything in my fridge tasted like pot.

I gave free bags to those in my small circle of friends. It blew their minds. No one had ever been that high before. Mexican brick was all that was available at the time. The sales started slow at first, but I had given enough away. Soon, a coke dealer friend of a friend had gotten a hold of some of my w.w. He was the first to buy an ounce. Then two. Soon, he was buying q.p,’s. One other guy started buying in bulk too, but not quite as much.

After the first few crops, I became a very popular person. Everybody seemed to know, or know of me. Even made it into High Times (Feb ‘02). I could no longer smoke pot due to the extreme paranoia it was causing. I did however, start using cocaine. This seemed to keep me emotionally strong and up to the task of dealing.

The money was good too. It’s what kept us going. But It all became too much for me to handle. Too many people knew and I felt like I was being watched.

My new plan:
I told everyone that I was done, except the coke dealer. We had an agreement. He would buy all my product, and help keep me low profile. Within six months, I was a nobody again.

A few years went by, profits were decent, all the product was moving quickly and so was the cash. But I was having to split it three ways after overhead. Some dissent became apparent between us. I decided to buy my own house in the country and go at it alone. By this time I had mastered hydroponics. This is definitely the way to go for larger operations.

I had also become a bit anti-social, which helped with the privacy issues. Soon I was making lots of cash all to myself and abandoned the partners. I seemed to have everything. Boat, four-wheelers, motorcycles, cars… Try taking yourself out to the river for a boat ride. It’s not very fun when you’re alone. I became so cautious and self aware that I wasn’t even able to date. What few women I did date was a disaster.

This went on year after year. Eventually I moved again, this time even further away from the city and temptations of hard drugs.

Friends and family had became distant. I suspect that they knew something was up. What else would they think? Where did I get the money? Why so secretive? Why were some rooms locked? Why does my house smell like skunk?

This all came to an end when my #1 buyer couldn’t pay anymore. His investments and personal business went bankrupt. This left me high and dry. He owed me thousands, and I could no longer keep providing him deliveries with no substantial money coming my way.

I contacted my old #2 guy and started to funnel it through him for a while. This lasted about a year when he could no longer keep track of his own spending habits. This left him in debt to me by thousands also. There was no one else to turn to. I know no one in that circle anymore.

I am no longer in that lifestyle. I have a decent job, and a nice girlfriend. So I shut off the lights for the last time.

It’s been about a year now. Married my girlfriend and bought a new house. Things are OK financially, but I look back at some of my old friends from high school and see that they have gone to college or learned a trade. Many probably have a retirement account and are on their way to a great career. I feel like I had the potential to get as far in life, or further financially had I spent as much time on a real career as I had on growing pot.

It is now time to start over and make my way legitimately. It’s been a great ride. I still love the art of creating an artificial environment for cannabis and think of it often. Hope anyone else who chooses this path stays safe. Good luck.
 

nl3004.kind

Active Member
respect for honesty... there are wise words here if one has the wit to hear what is being said... good luck in your future endevours...
 
I have seen this happen too sadly. It played out nearly identical to the way tc described. One thing very few people realize is no one is going to be there and tell you to stop. Why? Because human nature tells us to get all we can out of something. Be that utility, material things, or a living person. What I have seen even worse is when someone like tc does this, gets arrested, incarcerated for a couple of years, and comes out with a conviction and little opportunity to recreate themselves in society. Where does that leave a person? YES, they did know what they were getting in to, as tc alluded to this. However, this lifestyle completely takes over your life, and you have to become isolated from everyone who is not on the same ship as yourself.

I applaud tc for bringing this story out, and if it indeed is his own personal experience, then I have to tell him thanks for his level of honesty and sincerity. The business is extremely lonely, and filled with paranoia. It is no way to live. To those who have ever been cheated on or abandoned, this is the feeling that describes having someone roll on you and turning states witness. This is also a constant thought that dominates your thinking pattern too.

And yes, it is difficult to school other people in regards to their finances. I have had it explained to me like this: this is a well greased machine that does not turn around on the tracks. When you have a package ready to go out and there is nobody around to take it, you find someone who is less than qualified to take the reigns. It is almost a matter of time until this person derails and messes the operation up.

Again, thanks for sharing this tc and I truly hope you and your new loved one the best on this journey through life. You are well qualified and in my opinion, no less qualified than those who went to college and earned a degree in business or those who learned a trade. Guess what? You did both! You went to the college of bud knowledge and got your phd in sociology and psychology of humans. For what you are lacking in work experience you all but make up for in all other fields. If I knew you personally and knew your story, I would hire you in a minute. Again, I feel as though your real life skills will pay dividends and become an asset to a company affording you the opportunity of advancement.

Here is the final 2 cents I will add to this thread at the moment. If I were you, I would look for a job that pays commission. You are a righteous hustler and this allows you to go out there and get it. As you have stumbled upon, the money is made in sales. You could sell insurance, ac's, virtually everything. You should consider opening you own company "x" amount of years down that line and do things the way you have always done them... ON YOUR OWN! It was you that made the op function, not anyone else. Make a plan and follow through with it like you always have. You have a bright future in front of you. Once again, my regards to you and your family.
 

venacular

Well-Known Member
Good time to get out as the medical laws are really messing with the industry. The money has never been in the product, it has always been in the risk. Less risk = less profit. In my area even well known locals are getting into the industry. There is a local real estate agent with signs all over the city listing on cl for mmj. Everyday there are cl posts that have growers breaking down their long time rooms with great deals on equips. It just isn't the cash crop it used to be around here.

Good luck with your new life and all the best to you.
 
Thank you for the positive replies.

Stankyleg: I appreciate the kind words and friendly advice.

NoDrama: If I had it to do over? My first thought was: Nothing. I made it out with lots of cash and no prison. That’s the whole point right? On second thought, I would not have used hard drugs. It took a year after I quit to get the obsessive desire to snort coke out of my system.

Venacular: Yes, you are right. The market isn’t what it once was. There is lots of top quality bud out there. Indoor growing is no longer a secret and genetics are easy to come by through the mail. Profits are harder to come by, and it’s a buyers market for sure.

This however is a good thing. I fully believe Mj is a good thing and probably should not be exploited by people solely for profit. Grow your own and keep it reasonable.
 

JimmyT

Well-Known Member
On second thought, I would not have used hard drugs. It took a year after I quit to get the obsessive desire to snort coke out of my system.
Amazing. After everything, it's the other drug that you would've done without. It just goes to show how inspirational and intimidating this plant can be both at the same time.

LowProfileOne, I enjoyed every part of your story! My heart actually began to beat faster and faster as I read on. I'm just really glad there was a good ending to it. It'd would've been pretty cool if you told us you had one special pheno under cfls going just for shits, giggles, and personal stash. Did you quit smoking altogether? Either way, sounds like you had a hell of a ride :fire: +rep and then some!
 

rs444

Member
Great story, as long as you made $ didnt hurt anyone or yourself its all good!

Only if you had a friend like me could have kept it going for years!! lol.
 
Actually, it's a very legit question given the story...

actually buddy it is a very typical question given the story

Its like fuckin askin bernie madoff if he would do it again. Typical question you see on every interview show out there that has to deal with someone making a decision not everyone makes and then something happening either by their own accord or by the cops.

Thx.

Since this "flame" doesnt belong here ill stop posting now.
 

JimmyT

Well-Known Member
actually buddy it is a very typical question given the story

Its like fuckin askin bernie madoff if he would do it again. Typical question you see on every interview show out there that has to deal with someone making a decision not everyone makes and then something happening either by their own accord or by the cops.

Thx.

Since this "flame" doesnt belong here ill stop posting now.
My apologies. It's just that when someone types "^ what a typical question lol", there's certainly an obvious amount of sarcasm as though the original question "what would you have done differently" shouldn't have even been asked. But, I'm sure that's not what you meant. And, I'm sure you were just as curious as to what LowProfileOne would've done differently.

By the way, imagine all those "interview shows" you mentioned have been in the interviewing business longer than you and I have been alive and they still ask those "typical questions":leaf:
 
lol ya i hear ya. Na i was just bustin his balls

Kinda reminded me of the kid in school who who asked that question just to look smart like on career day. lol ya know what i mean

no hard feelings tho dude.
 
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