THE NEW GENRE OF BUSINESS

THERE’S A PLACE in Los Angeles, tucked away from the madness of Hollywood and nestled along the iconic horizon tourists flock to, where the definition of “work” is changing.

Sure, everyone needs to make money to support themselves and their families, but what if there was a different way—a way in which employees wanted to come in to work every single day? A place where they wanted to spend their free time? A place where they could be themselves and grow?

This may seem a bit far-out, but one of the biggest blessings of the cannabis industry is the ability of those of us within it to blaze our own trail, to re-create the business model and build things anew, to develop a fun and holistic approach to business.

WWMTB

Due to its location on Washington Street, most people casually refer to the newest industry hotspot in town by the initials WWMTB, for “Where Washington Meets the Beach.” But for those in the know, the venue—a locals-only “office” adorned with light-up fan leaves and a three-story “Fuego” mural—is actually called Althea. Unfortunately for Venice vacationers, this place has a high-profile guest list, and it isn’t designed to accommodate out-of-towners.

Fronted by Michael Burns, a shaggy fortysomething Deadhead who emigrated to the Golden Coast from Connecticut over two decades ago, Althea