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We currently own a delivery service, distribution and manufacturing facility in <br />Oakland which we acquired in March 2019. Our company has been operational for 14 <br />months and we have grown our business from 2 employees to over 38 and created 2 <br />brands that are carried in over 100 retail stores. Our projected revenue for 2020 is <br />expected to exceed 5 million. We have been able to have complete control on how we run <br />our business, which allows us to help and assist smaller equity companies. We granted a <br />250k per year packaging services contract to a social equity company that we have <br />provided with free rental space and equipment, the company is owned by an African <br />American female that employs a predominately female workforce over the age of 40. We <br />have also consulted with other social equity businesses on general business, accounting <br />and brand recognition strategies. <br />In retail, the large players are able to buy up shelf space through major marketing <br />campaigns at the stores. Knowing firsthand that many small minority owned brands do not <br />have the capital to do that, we use our relationships to bundle our products. Our success is <br />a direct result of our dedicated staff and our relationships with our vendors that are open to <br />working with minority owned and managed companies. <br />To solidify our company as a fully vertically -integrated cannabis company we are <br />looking for a retail storefront in a traditional retail location. We have passed on possible <br />locations in industrial areas. Most cities want cannabis businesses out of sight, so they <br />tend to put them in industrial areas that do not receive regular foot traffic nor police <br />presence. Having the retailers in deserted locations puts the business and the customers <br />in a potentially unsafe environment. I am very proud of the work that my family is doing, and <br />we are committed to growing our business and getting each of our four children through <br />college. I hope that I have painted a positive picture of how small minority owned <br />businesses can support a network of small business owners. I don't know if Cities and <br />elected officials really understand that small minority owned retail cannabis businesses <br />have an opportunity to lift so many minority families out of poverty and create good paying <br />legal jobs in our communities. So, in closing I ask that you please consider social and <br />economic equity and traditional retail locations as you discuss allowing storefront retail <br />cannabis in Redwood City. <br />Best Regards, <br />Maribel Diaz Garcia <br />