Baton Rouge, Louisiana is a city that has historically ranked as having “one of the highest crime rates in America compared to communities of all sizes.”
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, “only 380 of every 100,000 black adults become business owners.” Dreka Gates is one such business owner. She was born and raised in Baton Rouge and always knew she would be successful.
Gates is a determined and ambitious strategist. She never flinched when things didn't go as planned or when her support system failed. Instead, Gates turned disappointment into passion and used that passion as fuel.
She became a boss of multiple business owners, social media influencers, models, YouTubers, and gardeners. Instead of giving up, she began building an empire.
In less than 20 years, Gates has built an impressive business portfolio. She is the co-founder and co-owner of the music label 'Bread Winners' Association' which manages multiple music artists.
She has released EPs, albums, and mixtapes, and guided performers from $250 shows to platinum-selling records. Gates is also a social media sensation.
Although she initially didn't like the concept of social media, she quickly rose to fame, amassing over 3 million devoted followers.
Gates continued to follow her passion and became a cannabis business owner. She joins the team of owners and partners at BE Provisions, a startup cannabis cultivation and dispensary brand in Cassopolis that launched Jungle Love (cannabis/marijuana) and Jungle Healing (CBD and Delta 8) in 2021 .
Later that year, she launched DREKA, a full body wellness company offering bath, skin, overall wellness, and hair products. The Gates family also owns and operates more than 40 acres of blueberry farms in Mississippi.
I visited BE Provisions in 2022 to tour their dispensary and cultivation facility in Cassopolis, Michigan. Mr. Gates and BE's Director of Cultivation led my tour and allowed me to learn more about the business and team.
Gates has seen cannabis heal loved ones, and it has become part of her overall health routine. She also believes that nature is the ultimate medicine. A year after BE's official opening, I nervously interviewed Gates and his team. I left the company feeling empowered by the company's motto, “Be bold, be free, be yourself.”
A year after we first met, Gates and I talked about her career before cannabis, what a day in her life looks like, and what's going on with BE.
Cannabis and Technology Today: What was your life and career like before becoming a cannabis business owner?
Dreka Gates: Prior to entering the cannabis industry, I worked in the music industry for 15 years, developing and managing multi-platinum selling artist Kevin Gates. Together we started the Bread Winners' Association music label and signed artists like OG Boobie Black and Yung Mazi.
I also started a whole body wellness company called DREKA.
I'm a creator at heart and a builder at heart, so building things, especially businesses, is something I really love and am very good at.
C&T Today: Why did you decide to enter the cannabis industry?
DG: I love anything that deals with nature. There is no greater healing power than the healing power of plants, including cannabis. I have witnessed the magic with loved ones and seen people who have never smoked use cannabis to get off antidepressants and painkillers for chronic pain.
There's a lot of taboo around cannabis for all the wrong reasons. I'm here to change that! Cannabis use alone will not cause an overdose or death. The same cannot be said for prescriptions.
Cannabis is also a safer and healthier alternative for people who suffer from anxiety, insomnia, or just want to relieve stress. Anyone can do that safely with cannabis. I love cannabis!
C&T Today: We’d love to hear about your journey to becoming a co-owner and partner at BE Provisions.
DG: The way our partnership started was great and I don't believe that anything happens by chance. Back in 2017, I took several courses on all things cannabis, from seed to sales. I was fascinated by it and decided to enter this industry someday.
BE contacted me and after our first meeting, I knew this was “supposed to be BE.” We all had the same work ethic, goals, and style of building a business, and we also shared a passion for building a business that continues to grow and benefit future generations.
We love cannabis and know that it can save lives and create jobs for many people. This interview will help you understand the impact we're having on the communities we're in now and the communities we plan to expand into in the future. We are developing a community legally, which is great.
C&T Today: What's a typical day like for Dreka Gates?
DG: My day varies from day to day. It all depends on what I'm doing. My home state is Mississippi, but I still travel a lot. I spend almost half of the month traveling. My goal is to wake up earlier than others so I have time to work out, meditate on myself, and power up for the day.
At 9 a.m., you start fielding several emails, calls, and texts, all of which require time and energy. This lasts all day, but in between we go outside and play with the animals in the garden and on the farm. It really helps you stay grounded and keep your creative energy flowing. it makes me happy!
The kids are homeschooled on the farm, so I see them regularly throughout the day. I also have to create content, so I'll do that as well.
BE is in Michigan, so I'm not there every day, but I travel often, get regular updates on crops and new varieties, and have virtual meetings when I'm not there. Masu. We're constantly growing (and I'm not kidding), so we come up with new ideas every day.
C&T Today: Are there any changes, products or collaborations coming later this year or in 2024?
DG: We have a lot of great things planned for BE. We just opened a new store in Crystal, Michigan, and once the township vote is complete, we plan to open several new stores across Michigan, including Battle Creek, Big Rapids, Hastings, and Niles.
We are also planning collaboration products with special people. We are also planning to open a pharmacy in Mississippi, so please look forward to it.
This article first appeared in Cannabis & Tech Today, Volume 5, Issue 2. Read the full story here. All images courtesy of Dreka Gates.
View all posts
