Daily Inspiration: Meet Ken Forbes

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ken Forbes.

Hi Ken, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Ken Forbes, and I was born and raised on the east side of Detroit, Michigan. Creativity has always been a major part of my life. From a young age, I developed a passion for writing, video editing, and videography. Growing up during the rise of social media, I used platforms like YouTube as a learning tool, teaching myself many of the skills that would later become the foundation of my career.

As I continued developing those skills, I became involved in various media projects and focus groups, using content creation as a way to connect with people and tell meaningful stories. At the same time, cannabis had always been a significant part of my life. My curiosity about the plant, combined with my passion for media, inspired me to create something that reflected the culture and community I knew firsthand.

In 2019, I launched the Smoke Sum Podcast. My goal was simple: connect the faces behind the brands with the people who support them every day. I wanted to create a platform where authentic cannabis consumers, creators, and industry professionals could share their stories, perspectives, and knowledge. More importantly, I wanted to help educate people about the plant while giving a voice to a community that often wasn’t represented accurately in mainstream media.

Since launching, Smoke Sum has grown far beyond what I originally imagined. We’ve traveled throughout much of the United States, interviewed a wide range of guests, and built an audience that reaches across the country and internationally. Today, the podcast continues to serve as a platform for storytelling, education, and culture, while staying true to the mission that started it all: creating genuine conversations and bringing people together.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. One of the biggest challenges has been understanding that building an audience and a brand takes time. In the beginning, I struggled with consistency and often wanted results faster than they realistically happen. Over time, I learned that growth isn’t always measured by views, followers, or numbers. Sometimes it’s measured by relationships, reputation, and showing up consistently even when the results aren’t immediate.

I’ve also learned that patience is one of the most important skills an entrepreneur can have. There have been moments where opportunities didn’t come as quickly as I hoped, but those experiences taught me to trust the process and stay focused on the long-term vision.

Fortunately, I’ve had a strong support system throughout the journey. I’ve been surrounded by mentors, fellow creators, business owners, and friends who have encouraged me to be intentional, create a plan, and continue reaching out to brands and people in the industry. The cannabis community has also played a major role in my growth. Supporting up-and-coming brands, attending events, collaborating with others, and building genuine relationships have opened doors that I never could have opened alone.

Looking back, the challenges were necessary because they taught me resilience, patience, and the value of community. Those lessons continue to shape how I approach both business and life today.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Today, I run Visionary Mind Studios and host the Smoke Sum Podcast. Most of my work revolves around content creation, podcast production, videography, editing, and covering stories within the cannabis community.

With Smoke Sum, my focus has always been on the people behind the brands. A lot of media talks about products, but I enjoy learning how someone got started, what they’ve overcome, and what keeps them motivated. Whether it’s a grower, business owner, creator, or everyday consumer, I believe everyone has a story worth telling.

I’m probably best known for building relationships and creating conversations that feel real. Many of the people who come on the platform don’t feel like they’re doing an interview—they feel like they’re having a conversation. That’s something I’ve always taken pride in.

What I’m most proud of is the fact that we started from the ground up and stayed consistent. We’ve traveled, covered events, interviewed people from all walks of the industry, and built an audience that reaches far beyond Michigan. To see something that started as an idea become a recognized platform is something I’ll never take for granted.

I think what separates me from others is that I’m genuinely part of the community I cover. I’m not looking at it from the outside. I attend the events, support small brands, meet people where they are, and take the time to build real relationships. Because of that, the conversations and content tend to come from a place of genuine interest rather than just trying to create content for the sake of content.

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
For me, success isn’t something that’s measured solely by numbers, followers, or financial gain. Those things are important, but they’re not the main reason I do what I do.

I define success by the relationships and connections I’m able to build along the way. Some of the most rewarding moments have come from meeting people, hearing their stories, and creating opportunities for them to share their experiences with a wider audience. If I can help introduce someone to a new audience, highlight a small brand, or give a voice to people who don’t always have a platform, that’s a form of success to me.

Education is also a big part of how I measure success. Through Smoke Sum, I’ve had the opportunity to help people learn more about cannabis, the culture surrounding it, and how to consume responsibly and intentionally. If someone walks away from a conversation with a new perspective or a better understanding than they had before, then I’ve accomplished something meaningful.

At the end of the day, success is about impact. It’s about building genuine relationships, creating opportunities for others, and leaving people with something valuable long after the conversation is over.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.SmokeSumPodcast.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smokesumpodcast
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18mG2eEz3V/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@visionarymindstudios
• Other: https://linkfly.to/41225KOWhsS