Portfolio

Building Cannabis Technology Before It Was Normal

Technology
ShowGrow built and operated a proprietary retail technology platform in 2017, before dispensary apps and digital loyalty systems were common. The system supported customer engagement, loyalty tracking, and online ordering at scale.
ShowGrow mobile app interface displayed against a branded green wall, showing loyalty points and retail navigation
In 2017, cannabis retail technology was fragmented and inconsistent. Most dispensaries relied on in-store systems with limited customer-facing tools. ShowGrow built its own digital platform to support loyalty, customer engagement, and online ordering, designed to work alongside real retail operations.
Early Systems Thinking

Built to support operations, not marketing.

The ShowGrow app was not designed as a promotional layer. It was built as an operational extension of the dispensary. Customer accounts, loyalty tracking, and ordering workflows were designed to reflect how the store actually operated day to day.
Scale & Adoption

Proven usage at real retail volume.

The platform achieved meaningful adoption in its first years of operation, supporting tens of thousands of users and a large volume of online orders. This validated that the system was not theoretical. It functioned under real customer demand and real operational constraints.
ShowGrow retail app showing loyalty rewards, points balance, and product category navigation
Retail Integration

Technology designed to match real store behavior.

Digital ordering and loyalty only work when they align with in-store operations. The ShowGrow platform was built with awareness of staffing, fulfillment, and customer pickup workflows. This prevented the disconnect that often appears when technology is layered on top of retail without operational grounding.
Why This Matters

Early technology reflects operational maturity.

Building functional cannabis retail technology in 2017 required navigating immature infrastructure, evolving regulations, and limited precedents. This project demonstrates ShowGrow’s ability to design systems that support real-world retail complexity, not just surface-level engagement.
Core capabilities demonstrated:
Early-stage cannabis retail technology development
Loyalty and customer engagement systems at scale
Online ordering integrated with store operations
Systems thinking grounded in real dispensary workflows