Meet Rick Scarpello, Co-Founder and CEO of Medically Correct
Serving Patients and Shaping The Cannabis Industry
Just over 10 years ago, at the onset of Colorado medical cannabis legalization, Medically Correct was born with a mission to truly help people. Along the way, they ended up helping to shape industry regulations in the state and across the nation, too. Rick Scarpello, Bob Eschino, Derek Cumings, and Josh Fink launched the incredibles chocolate bar line, and before it was even mandated, they began lab testing and labeling products with activated milligrams of THC and nutritional facts. The early focus on consistency and quality propelled us to the top of the Colorado edibles market and into the highest volume edibles company in the state!
We had such a fun time chatting with our CEO and CO-Founder, Rick Scarpello, a food expert with truly innovative and cutting-edge ideas. His leadership has been a driving force behind developing a handful of businesses and industry-leading products and processes throughout his career. In addition to co-founding Medically Correct, LLC, licensed in Colorado, Rick founded Ma Hua, LLC, a natural remedies company, and most recently Data Correct, LLC, a new specialized ERP software company. We asked him about his journey thus far and here’s what he shared with us.
How did your professional background look before cannabis, Rick?
I started managing people when I was a 19-year-old in college, and haven’t stopped managing people since. It was around 30 years of working for someone else before I began owning my own businesses, so I had all the experiences I needed to figure out what it takes to be successful. I’ve run commercial bakeries to bowling alleys to full-scale marketing and website development businesses, and in the early 90s, I created one of the first online bookstores. Throughout my career, I’ve always been compelled to take an existing idea and make it better, to re-think it from the beginning and turn it into something new.
Rick Scarpello, tell us: what inspired you to enter the cannabis industry?
It was more like who than what, the who being Tom Eschino, Bob’s brother. Tom was making pot cookies for his grandmother so she could feel better and they really worked for her. Long story short, Tom’s efforts were the original inspiration for Medically Correct. He convinced Bob, Bob convinced me, and everything else came together when we founders all merged our individual expertise.
What sorts of challenges has Medically Correct faced during the pandemic?
One challenge we didn’t face during the pandemic was the City of Denver, which was a surprise. Typically, there is so much involved in modifying anything on the premises, but once COVID hit, they said to just do whatever needed within the manufacturing facility to protect our staff. Around 90% of our staff isn’t able to work remotely, so we had to work hard to figure out ways to keep everyone safe.
What's coming next for the company?
We have a lot in the pipeline but now that Nové has launched, we have a new brand that’s going to be born soon that will feature traditional types of products and some that you haven’t seen yet.
Of all your career accomplishments, what are you most proud of other than Medically Correct?
You know how Denver is the gluten-free mecca of the country? That was me. It took me nearly two years, but Rick Scarpello invented Udi’s Gluten-Free Bread, the #1 gluten-free bread in the world!
Mr. Scarpello, what piece of advice would you give to aspiring cannabis entrepreneurs?
I’d give very different advice to someone looking to invest in the industry versus someone who just has an idea and is starting from the bottom. But for both, I’d tell them to surround themselves with people that are going to help you get to where you want to go. You must have perseverance and especially passion. Without those, you’re dead before you start. And always go with your gut. If you trust your gut, you’ll be right more than you’ll be wrong.
Connect with Rick Scarpello, Medically Correct Co-Founder and CEO
Rick lives in Morrison, Colorado, with his family and is a new proud grandpa of a beautiful baby boy. Head over to Rick’s website to check out his career accomplishments or connect with him on LinkedIn. And be sure to try our new Nové luxury chocolate line and other Medically Correct products from your local dispensary.
