How It Started: Operational Efficiencies with Deborah Saneman, CEO of Würk

As part of our “How It Started” interview series, we had the pleasure of chatting with Deborah Saneman, CEO of Würk, which allows cannabis companies to manage payroll, human resources, timekeeping, scheduling and tax compliance, and minimizes compliance risks in the ever-changing regulatory environment.
What was it about cannabis that first piqued your interest, and when did that happen?

When I initially became interested in cannabis, it was during my time at a previous payroll provider with a diverse client base that included a few cannabis businesses. I became concerned when our financial partner at my previous company informed us that they could no longer support these cannabis clients. This disruption troubled me, especially considering the potential negative impact on the employees of these businesses. It raised questions about the unequal treatment of cannabis clients compared to other companies, prompting me to delve deeper into the issue.

How did Würk come to life?

Our primary objective has always been to provide comprehensive payroll, HR, and time and attendance services tailored to the cannabis industry. As we move to the next phase of the company, Würk's focus will shift towards data implementation and utilization. We aim to leverage the wealth of data at our disposal to empower our clients in their decision-making processes. Our ultimate goal is to equip our clients with the insights they need to operate more efficiently and foster business growth.

Würk was established to address the fundamental need for accurate and timely employee compensation, a challenge many cannabis businesses faced. Now, our commitment extends beyond merely ensuring accurate and timely payments. We strive to enhance the overall employee experience by introducing additional benefits and amenities.

What does your typical day look like at Würk and what do you enjoy most about your work?

My typical day encompasses a wide array of activities, all geared towards one central objective: facilitating optimal productivity for our leadership team and managers. Most of the time, this involves removing obstacles and innovative problem-solving.

What I enjoy the most about my role is the opportunity to leverage my operational expertise to enhance efficiencies within our organization. I also thoroughly enjoy interacting with our clients, solidifying our partnership and commitment to serve them.
As an executive sponsor it gives me a fresh perspective, enabling us to deliver top-notch products that empower our clients to maximize their efficiency and productivity.

What has been the highlight of your cannabis career to date?

The highlight of my cannabis career to date has undoubtedly been the collective endeavor to normalize and destigmatize the industry at large. It fills me with immense pride to contribute towards equipping cannabis companies with the essential HR/Payroll software they require to operate efficiently. This resource has traditionally been inaccessible to operators in this field.

What sets Würk apart is our unwavering dedication, both as an organization and as individuals, to the growth and prosperity of the cannabis industry. We provide support to operators, and our team at Würk is deeply passionate about fostering the industry's success.

Can you give us one cannabis trend that excites you?

I would love to see some more movement towards rescheduling, which would enable cannabis companies to have better access to capital, which in turn would allow them to expand and grow their operations effectively.

Is there a product or service you hope someone creates to serve the cannabis community?

Access to precise, real-time data is among the most significant components in empowering a cannabis operator. With years of experience serving this industry, our clients desire industry insights and benchmarking that will enable them to make informed decisions.

What is the biggest change you want to see in the sector?

Since my time in cannabis, I would say the biggest change that I would like to see is the desire for vendors, financial institutions, and other partners to get excited about this space. A fair amount changes year-to-year and it’s worth reviewing frequently. As cannabis is still a federally illegal drug, companies find it extremely difficult to trust that partners can perform critical operational processes and scale with them.

Any advice you would give to someone looking to enter the cannabis industry?

The most crucial advice I can offer anyone looking to enter this industry is prioritizing compliance. Given the continuous evolution of regulations, staying aware of all legal developments is vital. Acquiring proper licenses, establishing solid banking relationships, and forging partnerships with reputable entities should be the primary focus when entering the cannabis sector.