I've been where you are.
Before I was a consultant, I was an operator. I built a cannabis business from the ground up in one of the most challenging regulatory environments in the country — and I learned more from the hard moments than the easy ones.
LIly Bosshart Founder, Coast to Coast Cannabis Consulting
Advertising. Teaching. Cannabis pioneer. Consultant.
Texas born and raised, I've lived on both coasts and spent the last 15 years in Alaska. I graduated from the University of Texas Austin, hold a post-baccalaureate in Art Business from Sotheby's Institute in London and a post-baccalaureate in K–12 Teaching. My path to entrepreneurship is about as winding as I imagine yours is.
I worked in advertising, then spent years in the classroom. I loved working with students — but couldn't see a future where no matter how hard I worked, my pay stayed exactly the same. When cannabis was legalized in Alaska in 2014, my teaching partner and I decided to go into business together. We started from nothing and built a brick-and-mortar store that has served thousands of customers.
I sold Dankorage in 2025 and continued consulting. I'm now back in the South — but the work is national. While every State sets up its cannabis regulatory framework a little differently, they all share the same basic tenants. I'm available to help you wherever you operate. Most of our work happens over the phone and Zoom, and I'm available for on-site visits whenever needed.
Above all else, cannabis is a people business — and I'm a people person. I've been an account coordinator, teacher, entrepreneur, employer, business partner, and consultant. What every one of those roles has in common is a daily requirement for clear, consistent communication. I pride myself on the communication skills I've honed over a lifetime. My approach starts with making sure I truly understand what you need and how I can help — and it stays focused there throughout our entire working relationship.
The story behind the consulting
Starting from scratch with Dankorage
When cannabis was legalized in Alaska, I was one of the first operators to open a dispensary in Anchorage — Dankorage was the third shop to open in the city and one of the first ten in the entire state. There was no playbook. No one to call. You figured it out or you didn't survive. I figured it out.
Doing the licensing myself
I completed all of my own licensing and worked multiple licenses from start to issuance. That means I know what the applications actually ask for, what regulators are looking for, and where operators make mistakes that cost them months — or their license entirely. I've sat across the table from the people making those decisions and I know what they are looking for.
Standing before the boards
I've spoken in front of the State and Municipality Boards more times than I can count. I've faced hostile regulators and prevailed. That experience — knowing how to communicate, how to prepare, and how to advocate for your business — is something I can help you with.
Ten years of operating reality
Running a cannabis store for a decade means I've dealt with everything: staffing crises, compliance audits, 280E tax burdens, POS system failures, marketing restrictions, community pushback, and the daily grind of keeping a business alive in a heavily regulated industry. I'm not guessing at what's hard. I know.
Why I do this work
Cannabis helps people. I've seen it firsthand — customers whose lives genuinely improved because they had access to a safe, legal products. The legalization of cannabis is a social justice issue, and I believe this industry deserves to succeed. I want to help build an industry full of operators who are prepared, compliant, and thriving — not just surviving.
"My goal is a reciprocal working relationship built on trust, clear communication, and mutual goals. I'm not here to sell you a guarantee. I'm here to walk alongside you."
What you can expect from me
Honesty over hype
I won't promise you a license or a successful business. Nobody can. What I'll give you is straight talk about what's ahead, what's realistic, and where the real risks are.
Real-world experience
Everything I share comes from having actually done it — not from reading about it or advising from a distance. I've made the mistakes. I know what they cost.
A relationship, not a transaction
I'm looking for clients I can build a genuine working relationship with — based on trust, clear communication, and shared goals. This isn't a one-size-fits-all service.
Built by operators, for operators
"We didn't hire consultants. We were the operators."
Dankorage was built from scratch in Anchorage — one of Alaska's first licensed dispensaries. Every policy, every SOP, every compliance decision came from real experience running the business day to day. That's the foundation of Coast to Coast Cannabis Consulting.
Dankorage — built from the ground up in Anchorage
The Fairbanks Cut
Ready to talk?
If you're starting a cannabis business or navigating a challenge in an existing one, I'd love to hear where you are and see if I can help.
Book a Consultation