196 - A Second Chance with Colin Fraser of Upling

Join us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The DMV Business Show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Otto Sevilla⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ as we feature Colin Fraser, CEO and President of Upling, a tech-driven cannabis delivery service based in the DMV area. Upling operates similarly to Uber Eats or DoorDash but specifically for cannabis products, connecting customers with local dispensaries and handling delivery from store to doorstep.
Colin shares the origin story behind Upling, explaining how the company name was invented, and the personal journey that led him to start the business. Growing up in Guyana and later moving to Maryland, Colin developed an early fascination with technology, building with Legos and computers alongside his architect father. His career path, however, took several dramatic turns: after spending time involved in the illicit cannabis trade, being shot eight times in a drug transaction gone wrong, and serving two years incarcerated as a young adult, Colin found new purpose through faith and community work. He later got involved in prison ministry, striving to help returning citizens reintegrate into society.
Colin’s inspiration to create Upling was deeply personal, his mother’s battle with stage four cancer, and her struggles to access both traditional and alternative medicine. Witnessing the lack of cannabis delivery options for those who needed it most, like his mother, Colin used his technical skills to build the Upling app and fight for the necessary business licenses, turning his own adversities into a mission-driven company.
Beyond delivery, Upling is also committed to creating second chances for formerly incarcerated individuals.  Colin’s team actively partners with local organizations to hire and train returning citizens in tech and entrepreneurship. He emphasizes how important community, relationships, and adaptability have been in both his personal and business journey, sharing insights about networking, overcoming legal hurdles, and staying mission-focused.
We also touch on the considerable challenges that come with cannabis regulation and tech start-up life, from app store approval difficulties to ever-changing legal landscapes. Colin discusses how Upling partners with dispensaries, pivots with industry changes, and stays ahead by focusing on technology and data.
Looking ahead, Colin is excited about incorporating AI-driven cannabis recommendations into the app, continuing to expand nationally, and further supporting those impacted by cannabis-related incarceration. He ends by reflecting on the satisfaction he gets from driving and giving back and offers aspiring entrepreneurs the advice to stay flexible and build strong relationships.
For anyone interested in entrepreneurship, tech, or the changing landscape of cannabis businesses, especially in the DMV area this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and practical advice.

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