Host: Martin Rowinski, CEO of Boardsi
Guest: Skye Blanks, President and CEO at Members Trust
Innovator. Advocate. Entrepreneur.
In this episode of Boardsi Leadership Talks, I had the pleasure of speaking with Skye Blanks—a dynamic force at the intersection of global entrepreneurship, policy innovation, and small business leadership. As the COO of the International Council for Small Business (ICSB), co-founder of Primo Cannabis Company, and Principal Consultant at Herman Todd Consulting Group, Skye is not just balancing multiple leadership roles—he’s redefining what modern, inclusive leadership looks like across sectors.
A Dual Path: International Strategy Meets Grassroots Execution
Skye’s journey is a powerful case study in how high-level global insights can directly inform local, community-rooted entrepreneurship. From his early days advising startups at Yale and engaging with ambassadors at ICSB to building a compliant, community-centered cannabis dispensary in New Jersey, Skye demonstrates that leadership today requires both vision and versatility.
His motivation to co-found Primo Cannabis stemmed from a family-rooted call to action during his MBA studies. Applying international best practices to a highly regulated, emerging U.S. industry, he built Primo by navigating local politics, advocating at council meetings, and securing community trust—all without traditional financing due to federal restrictions.
“It really was just me building on a lot of the opportunities of talking with ambassadors and business leaders from ICSB—and applying those lessons to a local, nascent industry I could pioneer with my family.”
Leadership in Regulated Markets: Compliance as Strategy
Launching a dispensary in New Jersey isn’t just business—it’s diplomacy. Skye’s success hinged on compliance mastery, strategic positioning, and resourceful financing. From hiring top legal advisors to learning from seasoned operators in Colorado, he emphasized that success in highly regulated markets comes down to being proactive, creative, and politically astute.
“Compliance is definitely a headache—but it’s also your competitive edge if you get it right.”
Strategic Consulting with Herman Todd Group
At Herman Todd Consulting Group (HTCG), Skye’s consulting model draws from global research and small business fieldwork. He focuses on precision, market dominance, and differentiation—helping small business owners, many of whom are self-taught tradespeople, integrate proven business strategies into their operations.
“You know your trade. We’ll help you master your business.”
Mentorship & Youth Entrepreneurship: Lessons from Yale to the UN
As a mentor at Yale’s Tsai Center and a speaker at the United Nations’ MSME Day, Skye champions youth entrepreneurship. He sees ambition, curiosity, and resilience as the defining traits of successful early-stage founders—and believes inclusive leadership starts by listening to young voices and creating space for diverse perspectives to lead.
“Policymakers need to look beyond experience and focus on potential. That’s how we build the future.”
Inclusive Leadership in Action
At Primo, inclusion isn’t a buzzword—it’s policy. Skye actively hires and mentors individuals impacted by the war on drugs, creating new economic pathways in underserved communities. He sees diverse leadership not only as a moral imperative but a business advantage.
“Diversity is your strength. It leads to better solutions and more resilient teams.”
Turning Points and Takeaways
A defining moment for Skye came during the COVID-19 pandemic, when his family’s gym was forced to shut down. That crisis ignited a deeper commitment to entrepreneurship, sparking creative pivots like virtual training and digital conferencing—a theme that now defines much of his strategic leadership approach.
“I realized I wasn’t just solving a business problem. I was creating a mindset that would carry me forward—no matter the industry.”
Advice for Multi-Venture Leaders
Skye’s success in managing multiple ventures comes down to disciplined time-blocking, intentional scheduling, and genuine passion for every role he takes on. He urges leaders to only commit to opportunities they truly believe in—because purpose fuels performance.
“Passion is the only thing that keeps you giving 110%. Without it, you’ll burn out fast.”
Final Thoughts from Boardsi
Skye Blanks embodies the modern board-ready leader: globally aware, locally engaged, and relentlessly resilient. His work proves that effective leadership spans industries, geographies, and generations—and that with the right mindset, even the most complex challenges become opportunities for growth.
If you’re exploring board service, building in regulated sectors, or striving to lead with impact—Skye’s journey is the blueprint.
Connect with Skye Blanks
You can reach out to Skye directly on LinkedIn, especially if you’re an entrepreneur in a unique industry interested in being featured in his upcoming book, Fundamentals of Fortune.
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