Ever heard of a business getting its start in a Grateful Dead parking lot? That’s exactly how our guest on this episode got his empire rolling. We’re talking about Howard Franklin, the founder of North America’s largest glass pipe designer and distributor, West Coast Gifts. But the name is a bit deceiving, because this company’s origin story is anything but boring.
Join us as we dive into Howard’s wild ride, from creating color-changing bongs on the road with the Dead to pioneering a guerilla marketing campaign that swept across head shops. We’ll explore the challenges he faced, the lucky breaks that came his way, and the surprising reason why the name West Coast Gifts stuck. This is a tale of following your passion, unconventional business strategies, and how a love for the Grateful Dead led to a multi-million dollar empire. Buckle up, light up (if that’s your thing), and get ready for a story that’s as unique and colorful as a Chameleon Glass pipe!
