Cannabiz Australia
The chief executive of The Entourage Effect and MiDispensary, Lisa Varley, and the firm’s communications chief, Tahlia Bavadra, have left the business to set up their own venture in the medicinal cannabis sector.
The duo have launched Eqwellibriyum, a consultancy with a vision to “help businesses navigate the medicinal cannabis market”.
Among the services it will provide are advice on market strategy and expansion, white labelling, sales training, wholesaling and distribution, marketing and PR, medical education and events and conference management.
Varley will be CEO and Bavadra chief marketing officer.
Varley joined The Entourage Effect from Beacon Medical in April 2023 as managing director before taking the CEO role the following December.
Former Cannim chief operating officer Sandra De Lange has been named as her replacement.
Varley said she and Bavadra were “incredibly excited to embark on this new venture together”.
“Tahlia and I will be able to combine our skills and experience to help businesses not only navigate the Australian medicinal cannabis market but also thrive in it,” she said.
“We’re passionate about empowering businesses to reach their full potential through targeted strategies, operational excellence and robust marketing to ensure that Australian patients have access to the best products and services.”
Bavadra, who joined The Entourage Effect in August 2023, added: “Having spent years working closely with Lisa, I’m eager to continue that journey in this new capacity. Eqwellibriyum offers a unique opportunity to work with businesses and share our knowledge to ensure they’re well-positioned for long-term success.”
Varley said it had been an “absolute honour” to lead The Entourage Effect and MiDispensary “during such a pivotal time in the medicinal cannabis industry”.
Describing her departure on LinkedIn as a “bittersweet moment”, Varley said: “With our incredible team, we achieved so much, including growing The Entourage Effect to over 100 brands and becoming the nation’s fastest-growing wholesaler and distributor.
“We also opened the MiDispensary Bondi Junction clinic and its onsite MiPharmacy, while continuing to provide nationwide telehealth appointments.”
The Entourage Effect founder Eidan Havas said he was “deeply grateful” for Varley’s “visionary leadership”.
“In many ways she has helped shape The Entourage Effect into what it is today,” he said. “Lisa has been an incredible champion for the industry.”
On the appointment of De Lange as CEO, Havas said: “Having served as COO at Cannim, Sandra shares our unwavering commitment to best practice in pharmaceutical operations.
“Taking control of our operations during this period of growth, she will continue to evolve The Entourage Effect to maximise efficiency and reliability for both suppliers and pharmacies.”
He added: “This transition marks an exciting new chapter for The Entourage Effect. While leadership is changing, our mission remains the same – to deliver exceptional service, cutting-edge solutions and lasting value.”
