The Hotbox with Dustin Hoxworth isn’t your polished PR interview. It’s me getting stoned and asking people the questions they probably aren’t ready for. These aren’t cold reads or copy-paste Q&As; I sit with my guests, usually multiple times, and I’ve likely met them in person, which gives me a window to learn who they really are before I ever send the questions. By the time the words hit the page, it’s smoke-thick honesty, not surface-level bullshit. These are cannabis conversations that showcase the voices, stories, and truths that won’t show up in the boardroom.

The Hotbox with Vadym Hrybin 

There are people who keep the cannabis industry moving, and then there are people who make it better. I’ve met hundreds of professionals from every corner of this space, but few embody the balance of compassion, precision, and authenticity quite like Vadym Hrybin, COO of GroWise CPAs.

Vadym is the kind of person who shows up. The kind of person who sees a room full of exhausted creatives sweating through 108-degree California heat and says, “Hang on, I’ve got you,” before showing up with nine pizzas and a stack of cold drinks. He does it because he cares, not because anyone’s watching.

That same spirit fuels his work in both finance and healthcare, two worlds that couldn’t seem more different on paper, yet come together seamlessly in the way he leads. As a Registered Nurse turned CPA executive, Vadym brings empathy, humor, and surgical-level attention to detail to one of the toughest sectors in business: cannabis. 

Together with his partner in both life and work, Kate Dymedenko, CPA, Vadym has built GroWise CPAs into a trusted financial and advisory powerhouse known for its integrity, clarity, and heart.

This Hotbox is about the intersection of care and capitalism, numbers and nuance, business and humanity, and what it means to keep the cannabis industry healthy from the inside out.

Vadym Hrybin is the Chief Operating Officer of GroWise CPAs, where he and his partner, Kate Dymedenko, help cannabis operators build strong, sustainable financial systems rooted in transparency and real relationships. A Registered Nurse by training, Vadym brings a deep understanding of care and accountability into the financial arena. With more than 20 years of business experience across multiple industries, he blends structure and empathy to help businesses thrive under complex regulations.

In addition to GroWise, Vadym co-owns PrepTaxSmart, a company that helps small businesses stay organized and supported through tax season and beyond. Whether he’s advising a dispensary, mentoring a client, or checking in on the well-being of a friend, Vadym approaches everything with the same philosophy–take the work seriously, but never yourself.

The Hotbox Q&A: 5 Questions with Vadym Hrybin 

Vadym, your career started in healthcare and evolved into cannabis finance. Those seem like two completely different worlds, but both demand care, precision, and trust. What parallels do you see between nursing and what you do now as COO at GroWise CPAs?

In life, different situations happen. People end up in the hospital, and many of them need emergency care-fast, and exactly what’s needed at that moment.

People working in highly regulated industries often find themselves in a similar situation–they need help. Help from a professional who can resolve their financial issues. Urgently and right now, because otherwise the consequences won’t take long to appear–losing a license, for example. And then, like a house of cards, everything starts to fall apart: the lease termination, they can’t pay their bills, and the business shuts down.

At the same time, we shouldn’t deny the importance of prevention.

Most people today are fairly aware of what needs to be done regularly throughout life to prevent a number of well-known and common chronic and acute diseases.

It’s the same in business–I’d say in any industry: keep your books healthy, don’t forget IRS deadlines, and consult with your CPA/CFO on what steps you need to take to avoid certain events in the near future.

Being a CPA in cannabis is one of the toughest jobs in the game. What are the biggest challenges you face navigating 280E, compliance, and an ever-changing regulatory landscape–and what’s the most rewarding part of that work?

I’d say we all have pretty damn hard work to do and tough tasks to accomplish. I’d compare all the regulatory processes in the cannabis industry to rocks in shallow water–numerous, sharp rocks that can smash your ship to pieces at the slightest touch.

So our hardest job is to show the client the safest channel-fairway, and guide their ship through without touching those rocks, if you know what I mean. And the biggest reward is not even the destination or smooth sailing, which is already really good, but for us, the biggest reward is when our client understands that it’s happening because they have been following our advice, they did what we discussed, and we are on the same page.

You have a unique vantage point, seeing both the financial and human health of this industry. From where you sit, how healthy is the cannabis industry today, and what would you prescribe to strengthen it?

Here you can also compare healthcare with the way a CPA firm works with clients in the cannabis industry. In the hospital, we are constantly doing patient-teaching about everything: medications, the course of the illness, possible outcomes, and how to prevent them. The patient’s willingness to listen and learn is the key factor.

It’s the same in this industry–there will always be something that needs work, but my prescription is pretty simple: if you, as an entrepreneur or business owner, turn to a professional, then trust them. 

Be ready to absorb information, stay open to learning, ask questions–but follow the advice and do what the specialist you chose recommends. Otherwise, you always have a choice to handle everything by yourself. But would you, in the case of a broken finger, instead of going to the ER?

Politics and policy still dominate so much of what operators can and can’t do. If you had the power to change one thing at the federal or state level that would make life better for cannabis businesses, what would it be and why?

Very good question, Dustin! I’m not even going to get into the whole rescheduling topic–that conversation is already exhausted. I’d probably start with something simpler: consistency. I’ll explain… If you, as a state, have committed to regulating the industry and collecting tax revenue from it, then you must also be responsible for providing licensed operators with safety and the ability to work without “competitors” down the street whose shops don’t even have a license.

It’s just ridiculous that in a city like LA we have tons of stores operating illegally, while the operators who pay their taxes properly are the ones who suffer and are barely surviving in the market.

Creating a healthy environment without unlicensed providers would be my top priority.

You’ve become known for your generosity and community spirit. Whether it’s your clients, your team, or even the people you barely know, you always seem to show up for others. Where does that giving nature come from, and how has it shaped your approach to leadership?

Thank you for the kind words, Dustin.

I think it started with my parents. We’re pretty humble, straightforward people, and the rule “treat others the way you want to be treated” was never negotiable in our house. That’s still how I try to live my life. The only thing I’ve added over the years is this: I don’t expect anything in return.

In our tough world, it’s a real pleasure to see a genuine smile when you do something small for someone–whether that’s showing up in a hospital with coffees for your colleagues, or walking into a client’s dispensary on the East Coast with a box of warm pastries and fresh juice. Those things don’t cost much, but they mean a lot.

In terms of leadership, I think giving is about action, not talk. I’d rather show people I care than tell them I care. If I want my team to go the extra mile for our clients, I have to go the extra mile for my team. If I want people to feel safe being honest with me, I have to show up for them when it’s hard, not just when it’s convenient.

Buying 4-5 coffees now and then, checking in on someone after a hard week, flying out to see a client in person instead of just sending an email–these are small things, but they build trust. And trust is everything in leadership, especially in an industry as stressful and regulated as cannabis.

So for me, leadership is pretty simple: be generous with your time, your attention, your patience, and your kindness. When you show up for people consistently, they start to believe you when you say, “We’re in this together.”

You’ve worked across industries, navigated countless challenges, and helped others build systems that last. What advice would you give to someone entering this space who wants to build a business that not only survives but stands for something real?

Very simple – be real. Be yourself.

This industry has a built-in radar for bullshit. People feel fake energy, and they don’t like being played with. You can copy someone’s branding, their pricing, even their processes–but you can’t fake your values, your work ethic, or the way you show up for people.

If you want to build something that actually lasts, decide what you stand for early and don’t trade it for short-term wins. Be honest when it’s uncomfortable. Say “I don’t know” when you don’t know. Do what you say you’re going to do, especially when nobody’s watching.

There are a lot of things in life you can buy, but trust, respect, and reputation aren’t on that list. That’s why I really value the relationship we’ve built with you and your team, my friend-it’s based on real conversations, real work, and real care. That’s the kind of foundation that lets a business not just survive, but stand for something.

In a cannabis industry that can often feel dominated by hustle and hype, Vadym Hrybin stands out as a reminder of what true leadership looks like: grounded, caring, and accountable. His journey from healthcare to cannabis finance shows that this space isn’t just about profits or policies. It’s about people.

Through GroWise CPAs, Vadym and Kate have built more than a firm. They’ve built a foundation of trust, transparency, and education that’s helping cannabis operators grow the right way. And for those lucky enough to cross paths with him, it’s clear that Vadym isn’t just helping businesses thrive, he’s helping the culture breathe a little easier.

I’m proud to call him a friend, a supporter, and one of the brightest examples of integrity driving the future of this industry.