Vladimir Bautista went from hustling on the streets of Harlem’s Sugar Hill to becoming one of New York’s leading voices in cannabis culture and social equity. A Dominican-American raised by a single mother, Vlad saw firsthand how communities like his were targeted by the War on Drugs. After being arrested over 20 times for cannabis, he turned that same street hustle into a mission—to create opportunity, ownership, and education in an industry that once criminalized him.Today, he’s the co-founder and CEO of Happy Munkey, a cannabis lifestyle brand and dispensary that’s redefining what it means to “choose happy” while leading the movement for equity, culture, and inclusion in New York’s legal cannabis market.This episode explores:- Growing up in Harlem’s Sugar Hill during the 80s and 90s—and what the “Dominican version of A Bronx Tale” looked like- Early exposure to drugs, hustling, and survival—and the turning point that led Vlad toward cannabis instead of cocaine- Being arrested 22 times and why that “street education” became his real MBA- The birth of Happy Munkey: from underground parties to the “Studio 54 of cannabis”- How a pandemic, politics, and perseverance led to legalization in New York- The fight for equity—why Vlad and his team pushed for the MCA bill over big-money lobbyists- Choosing Dyckman over downtown: why he built the first dispensary above 125th Street and kept it in the community- How representation, legacy, and access change entire neighborhoods- The lessons from single motherhood, community respect, and moral integrity that shaped his leadership- Overcoming imposter syndrome, staying authentic in every room, and turning pain into purposeThis episode is about transformation, advocacy, and ownership—how a kid from Sugar Hill turned the very thing that once got him locked up into a bridge for education, opportunity, and cultural pride. Vlad’s story will challenge you to rethink what equity truly means and remind you that legacy isn’t about money—it’s about coming back home to build something bigger than yourself.---🔗 Connect with Vladimir BautistaInstagram: @vladimirbautista123Happy Munkey: https://happymunkey.com🎙️ Follow REAL Mentors PodcastInstagram: @realmentorspodcastHost Sean Martin: @theseanmartin---🔥 About the Guest – Vladimir BautistaVladimir Bautista is the co-founder and CEO of Happy Munkey, a New York-based cannabis lifestyle brand and dispensary dedicated to culture, community, and social equity. Born and raised in Harlem’s Sugar Hill neighborhood to Dominican immigrant parents, Vlad’s life reflects both the hardship and hope of New York’s inner city. After multiple arrests for cannabis-related offenses, he transformed his experience into advocacy—becoming a voice for legacy operators and disenfranchised entrepreneurs in the new era of legalization.From underground events dubbed the “Studio 54 of Cannabis” to public speaking engagements across the U.S., UK, and Spain, Vlad continues to use his platform to bridge the gap between culture and commerce, reminding the world that the future of cannabis must include the people who built it.---Tags & KeywordsVladimir Bautista, Happy Munkey, Sean Martin, REAL Mentors Podcast, cannabis legalization, social equity, Harlem Sugar Hill, Dominican American, New York dispensary, cannabis entrepreneur, legacy to legal, Studio 54 of cannabis, social justice, War on Drugs, restorative justice, advocacy, Bronx entrepreneurs, representation, community impact, street hustle to CEO, resilience, mentorship, culture, Dyckman, New York cannabis industry, purpose-driven business, empowerment, legacy building

Ver todos los episodios