We’re closing out Women’s History Month with one of New Jersey’s most intentional and craft-driven cannabis brands. We had the chance to reconnect with Brighterside Farms co-owner Lyndsey Shaw to talk about where the NJ market stands, what’s shifting and how she’s continuing to grow with purpose in a space that’s still finding its footing.
Catching Up With Lyndsey
What advice would you pass along to women looking to build a career in this space?
- “Don’t compromise your passion. The cannabis industry loves to tell you how a product should be and how you’re supposed to run your business. But every major success I’ve had has come from refusing to compromise my vision — staying locked in on what I want my products to be and the experience I want our customers to have. Your passion is your competitive advantage.”
What’s a rule you were told you had to follow that you chose to question instead?
- “Not falling victim to commercial cannabis production. So many cannabis professionals have signaled that producing craft cannabis at scale is not possible against the commercial giants. But I know there’s a portion of consumers who genuinely care about smoking the best cannabis, period. So yes, I often feel like I’m swimming upstream, but staying committed to craft is exactly what sets us apart.”
What was the moment you realized cannabis could be a career?
- “About two years after we launched the Brighterside Vertical Farms equipment line (in 2014), I realized there was no turning back. Even while working 15-hour days — grinding, pushing, trying to prove myself — I felt this deep satisfaction. That feeling made it clear: this wasn’t just a job. This was my path.”
Since NJ legalization to now, what have you seen that’s been encouraging? What’s been discouraging?
- “The most encouraging thing has been how smart and intentional New Jersey consumers are. They know quality, they want the best, and they’re not afraid to seek it out. That’s given Brighterside a real opportunity to serve a segment of the market that genuinely appreciates craft cannabis and cares about what goes into their jar.”
What’s been discouraging?
- “What’s been discouraging is how challenging it can be for true craft cultivators to stand out in such a heavily commercialized landscape. There’s so much noise — big brands, big budgets, big marketing — and it can overshadow the small-batch operators who pour everything into their product. But that challenge is also what pushes us to keep raising the bar.”
What do you wish people understood about working in cannabis that no one talks about?
- “How much work it truly is. This is an indoor farm — a living, breathing operation that needs constant care and dedication. From cultivation all the way to the jar on the shelf, there are countless steps, hands, and decisions behind every product. What a customer sees as “just an eighth” represents an enormous amount of labor, precision, and pride.”
When you look at where cannabis is headed, what keeps you up at night?
- “What keeps me up is the pressure to deliver an unforgettable experience in every single jar. We’re overly critical of our own quality, always trying to push the boundaries of what we believe is “the best we can possibly make.” That pressure never really goes away.”
What gives you hope?
- “What gives me hope are the emails we get from customers thanking us for our work. When someone takes time out of their day to share their experience with our product, it genuinely fills our cup. It reminds us that what we’re doing isn’t going unnoticed.”
Who’s a woman who helped you get where you are today?
- “My college professor at Metro State in Denver taught me invaluable lessons about business — the do’s, the don’ts, the real‑world mindset you can’t learn from a textbook. I wish I could thank her today.”
Brighterside Farms | Living Soil Bud
Brighterside Farms is a Pleasantville-based living soil cultivator and one of the few soil-grown, organically-fed operations in New Jersey. Led by Lyndsey Shaw, who brings 20+ years of cultivation experience, everything is grown with intention, from a full 45-day cure to hand-trimmed buds and no shortcuts.
Their flower is released across three collections—Heritage, Exotic, and Reserve—each rooted in carefully selected genetics and consistency. Pure Blossom is Pennington’s only place to find it.
Learn more about this Pleasantville grow.
Happy Women’s History Month!
Visit Pure Blossom for Cannabis and Other Essentials
Explore Pure Blossom’s curated selection of New Jersey cannabis brands and essential accessories. Whether you’re doing the old Google thing, searching for a dispensary near me or nearby dispensaries in New Jersey, Pure Blossom is a short, scenic, calming drive away, and our friendly guide-connoisseurs are excited to take you through our curated selection of New Jersey cannabis brands (and other essentials). We’ll see you there!