Weekly history

Only the Futurola blunt-cone thread moved, and only administratively. John Arriola nudged on Oct 6 to confirm his Sept 30 email landed (set-up cost covers the paper only; cone conversion and custom branding are charged separately; the paper volume is large enough that they recommend consuming it within a year before it degrades). Andrew confirmed receipt the same day, acknowledged the paper cost and the one-year stock-life caveat, and told John the material fee has been passed to the client with no response yet. John said he'd stand by and asked to be kept posted. No new quotes, samples, or documents; the distributor program thread was quiet this week.

• [Futurola Blunt Cone Alternative CO-202696] John followed up Oct 6 to confirm his Sept 30 email was received after a week of no reply from us.
• [Futurola Blunt Cone Alternative CO-202696] Andrew confirmed receipt and acknowledged the terms: the ~$100k set-up covers paper only, with cone conversion and custom branding billed on top.
• [Futurola Blunt Cone Alternative CO-202696] Andrew acknowledged the one-year shelf-life / paper degradation caveat on the large paper run.
• [Futurola Blunt Cone Alternative CO-202696] Andrew reported the material fee has been communicated to the end client, but no client decision yet.
• [Futurola Blunt Cone Alternative CO-202696] John confirmed nothing further is needed from his side for now and asked to be kept posted if the client wants more info.

• Client has gone quiet on the ~$100k material fee — no response yet, so the undyed tea-leaf route is stalling on their decision.
• One-year paper degradation window means a large single paper buy carries write-off risk if the client's volume doesn't move fast enough.
• Cone conversion and branding costs are still unquoted, so the true landed price of the undyed option is unknown to the client while they decide.
• A week passed before we replied to John's Sept 30 email, which risks losing momentum on the supplier side.

• we owe Client's go/no-go on the ~$100k paper-only set-up, then relaying it back to John
• they owe Cone conversion + custom branding pricing on top of the undyed paper, plus undyed 84/26 pricing/MOQs and dye-ingredient confirmation

Quiet week with no real forward motion. Anthony promised a decision on the Tamper Evident Pop-Top Tubes "today" (10/5) and again nothing came in writing — the feedback is now weeks overdue. On 10/9 Kunal surfaced on the same thread saying he was loosely following and will discuss with the team, and asked us to confirm the economics: roughly 12-14 cents for tamper-proof CR tubes plus labels — that question is sitting unanswered with us. On Tyson2.0 RED [7R4K8N], Anthony only acknowledged our update; still no payment terms confirmation and no ACH, so the 3 cases / 13,500 units remain unreleased since art approval and the signed invoice back on 7/27. Kunal again replied "Done!" on the Stickers [C6X9RT] thread and then sent a second, completely empty message — scope and deliverable still unknown and no quote request has been issued.

• [Tamper Evident Pop-Top Tubes] Anthony said on 10/5 they would have an answer on the tubes that day — no decision or written feedback followed.
• [Tamper Evident Pop-Top Tubes] Kunal (10/9) said he was loosely following and will discuss with the team, and asked us to confirm the pricing lands at ~12-14 cents for tamper-proof CR tubes + labels.
• [Tyson2.0 RED / Hybrid CR Zip Pre-Roll Pouch 7R4K8N] Anthony only acknowledged our update ("Thanks for the update!") — no payment terms confirmation and no ACH receipt; production release still blocked.
• [SWAG / Promotional Items C6X9RT] Kunal replied "Done!" again on the Stickers thread, followed 50 minutes later by an empty message with no attachment or content.

• Pop-top tube decision has now slipped twice on explicit promises (10/5 "today") and ownership is drifting between Anthony and Kunal — momentum and sample relevance are at risk.
• Tyson2.0 [7R4K8N] has been sitting approved and invoiced since 7/27 with no payment or terms confirmation; lead times and quoted pricing may no longer hold.
• Stickers [C6X9RT] thread keeps producing content-free replies (a second empty message this week), so the SWAG scope remains undefined and unquotable.
• Several older blockers (Franklin's cone shipping addresses, annual volumes, vendor spec sheet, carton concept feedback, COA label mailing address) saw no traffic at all this week.

• we owe Confirming the ~12-14 cents per unit pricing for tamper-proof CR tubes + labels that Kunal asked about on 10/9
• they owe The pop-top tube sample decision Anthony promised for 10/5 and the team discussion Kunal mentioned
• they owe Tyson2.0 [7R4K8N] payment terms confirmation and ACH payment so 3 cases / 13,500 units can be released to production
• they owe Resending the Stickers [C6X9RT] content/attachment and explaining what was marked "Done!"

Busy week driven by two threads. (1) Rush stickers: Andrew opened a direct line to Sticker Mule on 10/5 for 6 SKUs x 500 = 3,000 3" circle stickers needed Oct 17 at Atlantic City, set up account andrew@mentumsupplyco.com with wholesale cert uploaded, and after several failed Drive links finally shared artwork C6X9RTB01_ART_v01.ai plus a mandated color profile. Over 10/6-10/7 he approved two die shapes, locked finishes (holographic glossy; rectangle design gold gradient on matte since metallic isn't offered; remaining circles matte), required individual cuts (not on a roll) in blank Sticker Mule packaging, corrected billing to 502 W 7th St STE 100, Erie PA and ship-to to the UPS Store at 7 S Essex Ave, Margate City NJ for pickup near the show, pushed repeatedly for net $0.15/pc, and closed with "It is fine as is" plus a request for completion photos. On the client side, invoice INV-C6X9RTA11_03 went to Kunal 10/5 with ACH/wire instructions and countersigned copies were exchanged and acknowledged 10/6 — payment itself still not in. (2) GO2 pop-tops: quote R5X8N2A18_v01 issued 10/8 for 45,000 labeled ORANGE tubes (art 4F3V2R06 approved) with 60k/75k price breaks, valid to end of month, payment options 50% Net 30 / payment plan at 75k / pay-in-full discount, 8-10 week total lead time and a mid-December CNY cutoff. On 10/9 Andrew escalated under new case R5X8N2A19 with visual timelines showing 45k leaves GO2 4-7 weeks without packaging, recommended adding +25,000 units to hit 75k (better unit and shipping breaks), and confirmed samples were already ordered at no cost to speed the decision; payment plans to be discussed 1-on-1 with Kunal. Custom Cones saw only a courtesy note: paper cost and stock life acknowledged, material fee still sitting with the end client unanswered.

• [Stickers C6X9RT] Andrew introduced Monarch to Sticker Mule 10/5 for 6 SKUs x 500 pcs = 3,000 3" circle stickers needed by Oct 17 in Atlantic City; account andrew@mentumsupplyco.com created and wholesale/tax-exempt cert uploaded, reseller pricing requested.
• [Stickers C6X9RT] Artwork C6X9RTB01_ART_v01.ai shared after multiple Drive permission attempts; a specific color profile screenshot was mandated for production.
• [Stickers C6X9RT] 10/6: two different die shapes approved; finishes confirmed as holographic = glossy only, rectangle design = gold gradient printed on matte (no metallic film offered), remaining circle SKUs matte.
• [Stickers C6X9RT] Packing instructions locked: individual cut stickers (not on a roll, they are giveaways) in blank Sticker Mule packaging.
• [Stickers C6X9RT] Addresses corrected — billing 502 W 7th St STE 100, Erie PA 16502; ship-to UPS Store, Monarch Packaging Ltd, 7 S Essex Ave, Margate City NJ 08402 for pickup near the show (Showboat had not confirmed logistics).
• [Stickers C6X9RT] Price pushed toward net $0.15/pc at least three times; Andrew asked whether pricing includes shipping and what the delivery date is, then accepted terms "as is" on 10/7 and asked for photos of the finished stickers.
• [Stickers C6X9RTA11] Invoice INV-C6X9RTA11_03 (6 SKUs x 500 = 3,000) sent to Kunal 10/5 with ACH/wire instructions; signed/countersigned copies exchanged and acknowledged 10/6 — funds not yet received.
• [Pop Top Tubes R5X8N2A18] Quote R5X8N2A18_v01.pdf issued 10/8: 45,000 units (~3-3.5 months supply), ORANGE tube, artwork 4F3V2R06 finalized/approved, tiers at 45k<60k<75k, valid until end of month.
• [Pop Top Tubes R5X8N2A18] Payment options presented: standard 50% Net 30, payment plan eligible at 75,000 units, pay-in-full discount; total production + shipping lead time quoted at 8-10 weeks.
• [Pop Top Tubes R5X8N2A18] CNY warning: mid-December is the cutoff for 2026 orders, factories return end of February, earliest reorders early March; 45k would leave GO2 short for Q2.
• [Pop Top Tubes R5X8N2A19] 10/9 follow-up with visual timelines recommending +25,000 units (75k total) for better unit and shipping pricing; samples already put into production at no cost to the client, sample fee waived as a pilot order; payment plan to be worked out 1-on-1 with Kunal.
• [Custom Cones CO-202696] Andrew acknowledged John's paper cost and stock-life notes and confirmed the material fee has been passed to the end client with no response yet.

• Oct 17 Atlantic City tradeshow deadline: stickers only finalized 10/7, leaving a very thin production + transit window to the Margate City UPS Store.
• Kunal's ACH/wire for INV-C6X9RTA11_03 is still unpaid despite the signed invoice, which can hold the rush job.
• Showboat Resort never confirmed delivery logistics, forcing a UPS Store workaround — risk of pickup/handoff friction at the show.
• Target price of $0.15/pc was requested repeatedly but never explicitly confirmed; margin/price expectation mismatch possible.
• GO2 quote R5X8N2A18_v01 expires end of month and the mid-December CNY cutoff plus 8-10 week lead time means a late decision pushes resupply to March.
• Ordering only 45,000 pop-tops leaves GO2 an estimated 4-7 weeks without packaging on a core revenue SKU.
• Custom Cones material fee has been with the end client with no response, stalling the CO-202696 thread along with John's outstanding dye/undyed/claim/MOQ answers.
• Repeated Google Drive access failures on the sticker artwork delayed the printer's start by roughly a day.

• we owe Thoughts/decision on Andrew's 75,000-unit recommendation (R5X8N2A19) — quantity tier and payment option on quote R5X8N2A18_v01 before the end-of-month validity and mid-December CNY cutoff
• they owe Kunal's ACH/wire payment against signed invoice INV-C6X9RTA11_03 for the 3,000 rush stickers
• they owe Photos of the finished rush stickers once production completes
• they owe End client's response on the cone material fee (Custom Cones CO-202696)

Only one thread moved this week, all on the Futurola blunt cone alternative. On Sept 28 we told John the client wants to stay with tea leaf, not hemp, which kills the no-dye hemp wrap cone workaround he proposed. On Sept 30 John came back with detail on the ~$100k undyed paper set-up: that figure covers the paper only — cones and any custom branding are billed separately — and Custom Cones recommends consuming the paper within a year before it degrades. He asked whether that's enough info to proceed. Still missing: the revised MOQ behind the undyed paper, cone/branding pricing on top of it, and confirmation that the current dyes are 100% natural. Nothing new on the distributor program this week.

• [Futurola Blunt Cone Alternative CO-202696] We informed John the client wants to stick with tea leaf, not hemp — the standard no-dye hemp wrap cone (half-gram blunt cone) option is rejected.
• [Futurola Blunt Cone Alternative CO-202696] John clarified the ~$100k undyed set-up cost covers the paper only; cone conversion and custom branding are charged on top.
• [Futurola Blunt Cone Alternative CO-202696] John warned the undyed paper volume is large and should be used within a year, as the paper degrades.
• [Futurola Blunt Cone Alternative CO-202696] John asked whether this information suffices — the ball is with us as of the last message.
• [Futurola Blunt Cone Alternative CO-202696] Still outstanding from Custom Cones: revised MOQ for the undyed paper, undyed pricing, and confirmation the current dyes are 100% natural.

• Undyed paper must be used within ~12 months or it degrades — a ~$100k buy at very high MOQ creates real inventory/spoilage exposure for the client.
• Rejecting the hemp option removes the only no-dye path that didn't require the $100k paper commitment, narrowing options to an expensive route the client may refuse.
• Revised MOQ and total landed cost (paper + cone + branding) are still unquoted, so we cannot present a real number to the client.
• Dye ingredient confirmation has been outstanding for weeks, stalling the 'second best' 100% natural option.

• we owe Response to John on whether the $100k paper set-up clarification suffices, plus the client's go/no-go on the undyed tea-leaf route
• they owe Undyed 84/26 pricing and the revised MOQ tied to the $100k paper buy
• they owe Confirmation that the current dyes/food coloring are 100% natural in origin
• they owe Distributor program collateral/standard terms, 5,000-unit tier and cartons-per-case

Quiet week on Hamilton Farms — the only inbound was Amanda Gonzalez accepting Andrew's "Let's Talk SWAG!" discovery call for Thu Oct 1, 3:00–3:45pm EDT (Google Meet). That opens a new promotional/merch workstream (stickers, lighters, rolling papers, rolling trays and other giveaway items) where we need scope, quantities, timelines and SKUs/brands. No movement at all on the Tyson2.0 RED pouch payment/terms (3 cases / 13,500 units still not released to production), no written feedback on the pop-top tube samples, nothing new on Franklin's Futurolas cones (addresses, volumes, vendor spec sheet still outstanding), the 7pk/14pk carton concept, or the COA batch label samples.

• [SWAG / Promotional Items] Amanda Gonzalez accepted the "Let's Talk SWAG!" discovery call with Andrew — Thu Oct 1, 3:00–3:45pm EDT via Google Meet; agenda: scope, qty, timelines, SKUs/brands for stickers, lighters, rolling papers, rolling trays and other giveaway items.
• [Tyson2.0 RED / Hybrid CR Zip Pre-Roll Pouch 7R4K8N] No reply on payment terms or ACH — production release still blocked for a second straight week.
• [Tamper Evident Pop-Top Tubes] Still no written sample feedback from the client.
• [Franklin's Futurolas / Cones] No response on shipping addresses, annual volumes or the vendor spec sheet.

• Tyson2.0 RED pouch order (3 cases / 13,500 units) has now gone multiple weeks without payment terms confirmation or ACH — art is approved and the invoice is signed, so the delay is pure revenue and schedule slippage; a direct nudge to Kunal is overdue.
• Radio silence across every existing workstream this week — pop-top sample feedback, cone R&D inputs, carton concept decision and COA label samples all unanswered, suggesting the client contacts are disengaged or attention has shifted to the new SWAG request.
• No confirmation that the 9/25 review call happened or produced outcomes; agenda items may need to be rolled into the Oct 1 conversation or a separate follow-up.
• New SWAG scope is undefined (quantities, timelines, brands) — risk of quoting effort without a real budget or volume commitment.

• we owe Hosting the Oct 1 SWAG discovery call with Amanda and following up with scope/pricing next steps
• they owe Payment terms confirmation and ACH receipt for the Tyson2.0 RED pouch invoice (3 cases / 13,500 units) — silent again this week
• they owe Written feedback on the tamper evident pop-top tube samples
• they owe Franklin's sample shipping addresses, annual cone volumes and the alternative-cone vendor spec sheet
• they owe 7pk/14pk carton concept feedback and the spacer vs. matchbook void-fill decision

Quiet week on our side — everything came from Andrew at Monarch. Tyson2.0 (7R4K8) is shipping early with a stateside ETA of Oct 8th, tracking to follow once loaded on a truck; Kunal's payment-schedule choice is still open. On cones, Andrew told John at Custom Cones the client is locked on tea leaf (not hemp), and he asked Eshan at Cones Factory whether the COA documents any dye findings, saying he'll revert after briefing the client that no natural-ingredient-derivative claim can be made. He re-issued case sheet R5X8N2A17_v03 for the GO2 tamper-evident pop-top tubes (label art received, warning-copy typo fixed, free custom color injection since MOQ is met) and is still blocked on tube color (Black/Orange/Light Grey), artwork version (4F3V2R05_v01 vs 4F3V2R02_v02) and order qty before pricing; samples still need testing/QC. A new Cheesesteak Fridge Magnet thread (4N7QZM) opened for Kunal: the referenced 3D magnet is out of production, so three enamel iterations plus 3D renders went out at 500<1000 pcs, then a raw-brass vs black-outline comparison, then the 4N7QZMC00_v01 pricing deck on 9/30 covering six artworks at 500<2000 pcs on 3"-wide magnets; Andrew confirmed price breaks scale with SKUs/qty (rule of thumb: 3 SKUs @ 1,000 pcs) and asked what other items (pins/magnets) to get ahead on. Biggest time pressure: the rush stickers for the Oct 17 NJ dispensary takeover — Andrew sent branded-only pricing (C6X9RTA03: $0.720/$0.650/$0.500 per unit at 500/1000/2000 per SKU across 3 mix-'n-match SKUs) and a combined 6-SKU brand + strain package (C6X9RTA05: $0.680/$0.620/$0.525 per unit, totals $2,880/$4,800/$7,620 incl. shipping), with strain artwork now attached. Order deadlines are Oct 5 for free shipping and Oct 7 hard cutoff, and no selection has been made.

• [Tyson2.0 7R4K8] Shipment arriving ahead of schedule — stateside ETA Oct 8th; tracking to be provided once loaded onto a truck.
• [Custom Cones CO-202696] Andrew told John the client is sticking with tea leaf, not hemp.
• [Cones Factory] Andrew asked Eshan whether the COA on hand includes any findings on the dyes.
• [Cones Factory] Andrew confirmed he'll revert after telling the client that no claim of natural-ingredient derivatives can be made.
• [Pop Top Tubes R5X8N2A17] Case sheet R5X8N2A17_v03.pdf issued for the GO2 beta SKU: label art received, warning-copy typo corrected, larger print area than the Primeflex dieline, two license#/warning-icon versions presented, custom color injection free since MOQ is met.
• [Pop Top Tubes R5X8N2A17] Open requests back to GO2: tube color (Black/Orange/Light Grey), artwork (4F3V2R05_v01 vs 4F3V2R02_v02), and order quantity for pricing; samples still pending testing and QC approval.
• [Cheesesteak Magnet 4N7QZM] New thread opened for Kunal — referenced 3D magnet is out of production (very high MOQ); enamel route explored at 500<1000 pcs with 3 same-priced iterations (4N7QZMA01_v01_REF.pdf) plus coin-for-scale and 3D renders.
• [Cheesesteak Magnet 4N7QZM] Raw brass vs black-outline (additional process) comparison shared 9/29 with brass renders; pricing promised by EOD 9/30.
• [Cheesesteak Magnet 4N7QZM] Pricing deck 4N7QZMC00_v01 delivered 9/30 — six artworks at 500<2000 pcs, 3"-wide magnets, priced on color count and size with the most reduced color counts.
• [Cheesesteak Magnet 4N7QZM] Andrew confirmed breaks improve with more SKUs/qty (benchmark 3 SKUs @ 1,000 pcs), that pins share the same break logic, that light grey text is AI reference only, and asked what other items to get ahead on sourcing.
• [Stickers C6X9RT] Rush quote C6X9RTA03 for 3" branded stickers (Hamilton Farms, Phenos, Golden Ratio): $0.720/$0.650/$0.500 per unit at 500/1000/2000 per SKU, 3 mix-'n-match SKUs, shipping $80/$95/$100, totals $1,160/$2,045/$3,100.
• [Stickers C6X9RT] Combined 6-SKU quote C6X9RTA05 adds the 3 strain stickers (Devil Driver, Island Octane, Panama Red) with artwork attached: $0.680/$0.620/$0.525 per unit at 500/1000/2000 per SKU, shipping $140/$180/$220, totals $2,880/$4,800/$7,620.
• [Stickers C6X9RT] Lead times 3-5 days production + 5-7 days shipping; order by Oct 5 for free shipping, Oct 7 hard cutoff, for the Oct 17 NJ dispensary takeover. Next steps: select art (A1, A2, B1...), select qty, then formal quotation and payment.

• Oct 5 free-shipping deadline and Oct 7 hard cutoff on the rush stickers with no artwork or quantity selection made — the Oct 17 NJ dispensary takeover giveaway is at risk.
• Two overlapping sticker quotes (C6X9RTA03 branded-only vs C6X9RTA05 6-SKU) sent an hour apart could cause confusion over which pricing applies.
• GO2 pop-top tube pricing is fully blocked on color, artwork and quantity decisions, and samples still haven't passed testing/QC approval.
• Cone program stuck on the dye/natural-claim question — COA on dye findings not yet confirmed to exist, and pricing, ingredients, CBM, pallet config and freight remain unanswered across Custom Cones, Cones Factory and Jiwacones.
• Tyson2.0 arrives stateside Oct 8 but no tracking has been issued and Kunal still hasn't picked a payment schedule.
• Magnet quoting is stalled on Kunal's artwork/finish/quantity direction; true pricing can't be locked until he responds.

• we owe Sticker artwork direction and quantity selection (branded-only vs 6-SKU brand+strain) before the Oct 5 free-shipping / Oct 7 hard cutoff
• we owe Acknowledging the Tyson2.0 Oct 8th stateside ETA and confirming receiving arrangements
• they owe Kunal's magnet artwork direction, black-outline vs raw brass finish, quantity band, and what other items (pins/magnets) to source
• they owe GO2's tube color, label artwork version and order quantity so the tamper-evident pop-top tubes can be priced
• they owe Eshan/Cones Factory to confirm whether a COA exists documenting dye findings, plus the outstanding pricing, ingredients, photos, CBM, pallet and freight set
• they owe John/Custom Cones to revert on the tea-leaf (not hemp) wrap decision, undyed delta, 100% Natural claim and 100k set-up fee/MOQ terms
• they owe Tracking number for the Tyson2.0 pouch shipment once loaded onto a truck

Only one substantive update this week, from Eshan (CPO) on the dye-origin question blocking the Monarch blunt cone program. He confirmed that SWM will not issue a written declaration that the dyes are naturally derived, but will put in writing that all materials and dyes used are food-grade — and explicitly flagged that food-grade is not the same as natural-origin. If Monarch strictly needs a natural-origin claim, it would require a different substrate or supplier, and he notes most European suppliers won't disclose that due to trade secrets. He also positioned tea leaf wrap as an established, low-risk format already used by several leading brands, so the real decision is claim language, not material. No new pricing, samples, or documentation arrived; the promised hemp wrap (Brown + Green) and tea leaf documentation is still outstanding, as is our answer to Michelle on ~900k annual volume and which product the sub-50k PO covers. Ball is firmly in our court to get Monarch's position on food-grade vs. natural-origin.

• [Monarch x Cones Factory — blunt cones] Eshan confirmed SWM will NOT provide a written natural-derivation declaration for the dyes, but will confirm in writing that all materials and dyes are food-grade.
• [Monarch x Cones Factory — blunt cones] Eshan explicitly cautioned that 'food-grade' does not equal 'derived from all-natural ingredients' — a strict natural-origin claim would require a different substrate or supplier.
• [Monarch x Cones Factory — blunt cones] Eshan noted most European suppliers decline natural-origin disclosures citing trade secrets.
• [Monarch x Cones Factory — blunt cones] Eshan framed tea leaf wrap as an established category format used by several leading brands, so material risk is low and the open issue is claim positioning.
• [Monarch x Cones Factory — blunt cones] No hemp wrap (Brown/Green) or tea leaf documentation delivered yet; no new pricing or MOQ figures this week.
• [Monarch x Cones Factory — blunt cones] Eshan is waiting on our direction on how to proceed.

• No supplier will provide a written natural-origin declaration for the dyes — if Monarch's positioning requires that claim, the current substrate (and possibly Cones Factory entirely) is disqualified and we would need a new substrate/supplier, resetting timeline and pricing.
• Monarch's actual requirement is still ambiguous: 'dye-free' could mean natural-origin dyes, no dyes at all, or simply food-safe — this ambiguity is the core blocker and has now persisted multiple weeks.
• Our side is accumulating a large backlog of unanswered items to Michelle (volume, color, product identity, sample discrepancy); prolonged non-response risks losing supplier momentum and priority.
• Sample discrepancy (tea leaf cones vs. brown hemp wraps) remains unreconciled, so we cannot confidently evaluate or present the product to Monarch.

• we owe Telling Eshan how to proceed — whether Monarch accepts a food-grade dye certification or requires a natural-origin claim (and therefore a different substrate/supplier)
• we owe Answering Michelle on ~900k annual volume, white vs. brown, and which product the sub-50k / $3,000 PO covers
• they owe Hemp wrap (Brown + Green) and tea leaf documentation, plus hemp wrap pricing/MOQ at the $3,000 PO level
• they owe SWM's written food-grade declaration covering all materials and dyes

Only the dye/undyed thread moved this week, and slowly. After Andrew's 9/22 note spelling out the client's asks — a true dyed vs. undyed product comparison, isolation of the dyes used with confirmation that all ingredients are "100% Natural" (not just "food-grade/food-safe"), and full terms plus adjusted MOQs behind the ~$100k paper set-up fee — John replied the same day that he had kicked it to his team. On 9/25 he came back with a workaround rather than answers: Custom Cones' standard hemp wrap cones (half-gram blunt cones, per their website) contain no dye at all, and he asked whether the client would consider trying those instead. No pricing, MOQs, ingredient statement, or $100k terms have been provided yet. The ball is now with us to take the undyed hemp wrap option to the client, while all four of John's outstanding deliverables remain open. Nothing new on the distributor program this week.

• [Futurola Blunt Cone Alternative CO-202696] 9/22 — We relayed the client's position: they want a dyed vs. undyed comparison, or failing that, the specific dyes isolated and confirmed as 100% natural; "food-grade/food-safe" language is not acceptable.
• [Futurola Blunt Cone Alternative CO-202696] 9/22 — We also asked John for the detailed terms of the ~$100k paper set-up fee and the adjusted minimum order requirements that come with it.
• [Futurola Blunt Cone Alternative CO-202696] 9/22 — John acknowledged and said he had asked his team for more info.
• [Futurola Blunt Cone Alternative CO-202696] 9/25 — John proposed an alternative: Custom Cones' standard hemp wrap cones (half-gram blunt cones) have no dye in them, and asked whether the client would want to try that product.
• [Futurola Blunt Cone Alternative CO-202696] Still no answer on dye ingredient composition, undyed 84/26 pricing/MOQs, or the $100k set-up terms as of week's end.

• Ten days on and John has produced no substantive answers — no ingredient statement, no undyed pricing, no $100k terms — just a workaround suggestion; the custom undyed route is drifting.
• The ~$100k paper-only set-up plus a "very high" MOQ likely prices the custom undyed 84/26 out of reach for the client.
• The proposed no-dye hemp wrap cone is an off-the-shelf product and may not match the Futurola blunt look/size (84/26) the client is chasing — risk of a spec mismatch derailing the comparison.
• Any undyed wrap requirement could reset the already-confirmed 84/26 reseller pricing (30k $0.28 / 50k $0.25).
• Distributor program items (collateral/terms, 5,000-unit tier, cartons per case, newsletter add) have gone quiet while the dye issue absorbs the thread.

• we owe Reply to John on whether the client wants to try the undyed standard hemp wrap cones (half-gram blunt cones)
• they owe Isolated dye ingredient list with confirmation that all ingredients are 100% natural
• they owe Undyed 84/26 pricing and revised MOQs
• they owe Full terms behind the ~$100k undyed paper set-up cost, including the adjusted minimum order requirements
• they owe A dyed vs. undyed product comparison for the client

Effectively a silent week on Hamilton Farms — the only inbound was Kunal Lodaya's "Maybe" RSVP to the Monarch PKG x Hamilton Farms call Andrew scheduled for Fri Sep 25, 2pm–2:45pm EDT (Google Meet), agenda centered on reviewing the recently received samples, spec/design changes, priorities and next steps. No movement on the Tyson2.0 RED pouch payment/production release (3 cases / 13,500 units), no Franklin's cone shipping addresses, volumes or vendor spec sheet, no pop-top tube sample feedback, and no carton concept feedback. The 9/25 call is the natural forcing function to unblock all of the above, but Kunal is only tentative and Anthony/Luana have not confirmed.

• Kunal Lodaya RSVP'd "Maybe" to the Monarch PKG x Hamilton Farms call on Fri Sep 25, 2026, 2:00–2:45pm EDT (Google Meet, organizer Andrew Lee; guests Kunal Lodaya, Anthony Hagman, Luana Luterek)
• Call agenda set: review sample feedback and first impressions, design/functionality/spec changes, align on priorities and next projects, confirm next steps and timelines, identify additional samples/quotes/revisions needed
• [Tamper Evident Pop-Top Tubes] Samples received on the client side are the primary focus of the 9/25 agenda — formal feedback still not sent in writing
• [Tyson2.0 RED / Hybrid CR Zip Pre-Roll Pouch 7R4K8N] No payment terms confirmation or ACH receipt this week; production release still on hold
• [Franklin's Futurolas / Cones] No response on shipping addresses, annual cone volumes or the vendor spec sheet
• [Hamilton Farms 7pk / 14pk Pre-Roll Carton 3X8K7Q] Still no concept feedback or spacer vs. matchbook decision

• Kunal only tentatively accepted the 9/25 call — if it slips, every blocked thread (Tyson2.0 payment, cone data, sample feedback) rolls another week
• Tyson2.0 RED production remains unreleased with art approved and invoice signed; continued silence on payment terms/ACH risks pushing the SEA shipment timeline
• Effectively radio silence from Hamilton Farms this week — the only contact was an automated calendar RSVP
• Franklin's cone sourcing still stalled without shipping addresses, annual volumes and the vendor spec sheet; parallel R&D split remains undecided
• Carton [3X8K7Q] has had no feedback since the 6/29 concept acknowledgement and is drifting toward stalled

• they owe Firm RSVP for the Fri Sep 25 2pm EDT sample review call (Kunal currently tentative)
• they owe Written feedback on the tamper evident pop-top tube samples
• they owe Confirmation of payment terms and ACH payment for the Tyson2.0 RED pouch invoice (3 cases / 13,500 units)
• they owe Franklin's sample shipping addresses, annual cone volumes and the vendor spec sheet for the alternative cones
• they owe Carton concept art feedback and the 7pk void fill decision (spacer vs. matchbook) on [3X8K7Q]

Light week, driven almost entirely by Andrew's email replies. On the cone-sourcing front he pushed back hard on both suppliers: Jiwacones (Victor) got a direct price benchmark — the client currently buys from Futurola at $0.35/cone — and a question on what volume gets under that, then a flat rejection of Victor's 9/22 reply as not answering our questions. Custom Cones (John) was told the client wants a true no-dye/no-coloring product first, with dye isolation and 100%-natural-derived ingredients as fallback; "food-grade"/"food-safe" language is explicitly not what they want, and Andrew asked for the terms behind the 100k set-up fee plus the adjusted MOQ. The biggest concrete movement was on the GO2 tamper-evident pop-top tubes: a new case sheet (R5X8N2A17, brand R7Y, client 35024) with PDF R5X8N2A17_v02.pdf went out after Andrew's call with Anthony Hagman — GO2 label art is in hand, custom color injection confirmed at no extra cost because MOQ is met with this SKU, and two license/warning artwork variants (4F3V2R05_v01 recommended vs 4F3V2R02_v02) were presented. GO2 now owes tube color (Black/Orange/Light Grey), artwork choice and order quantity for pricing; samples still need testing and QC approval. Andrew also acknowledged Urja's scheduling link but has not booked yet.

• [Monarch x Jiwacones] Andrew told Victor the client's current Futurola price is $0.35/cone and asked what volume is needed to beat it (9/22).
• [Monarch x Jiwacones] Andrew rejected Victor's 9/22 reply outright — "these do not answer our questions" — leaving undyed feasibility, ingredients/colorants, EXW pricing for 30k/50k, CBM and heavy-metals results all unanswered.
• [Monarch Pkg x Custom Cones CO-202696] Andrew clarified the ask to John: client wants a dyed-vs-undyed comparison and, failing an undyed product, isolation of dyes with confirmation all ingredients are 100%-natural-derived; "Food-Grade"/"Food-Safe" copy is explicitly rejected.
• [Monarch Pkg x Custom Cones CO-202696] Andrew asked John for detailed terms on the 100k set-up fee and the adjusted minimum order requirement.
• [Pop Top Tubes - Tamper Evident] New case sheet issued under R5X8N2A17 (Client 35024, Brand R7Y, Manager AA1) with PDF R5X8N2A17_v02.pdf covering label artwork and tube colors.
• [Pop Top Tubes - Tamper Evident] GO2 label art received; custom color injection confirmed at no extra cost as the MOQ is met by this SKU; GO2 will be the beta SKU for the tamper-evident tubes.
• [Pop Top Tubes - Tamper Evident] Two artwork variants presented for the enlarged label dieline (license # copy + warning icons) — 4F3V2R05_v01 recommended over 4F3V2R02_v02; requests out for tube color (Black/Orange/Light Grey), artwork selection and order quantity for pricing.
• [Pop Top Tubes - Tamper Evident] Samples still pending testing and QC approval; objectives restated as reliable tamper-evident function (reducing need for a CR pouch) and factory pre-kitted labels with fill/seal and dynamic batch ID kept in-house.
• Andrew acknowledged Urja's scheduling link on the Quick Check-In thread and said he would book a time, but no meeting is on the calendar yet.

• Jiwacones is giving off-target answers two rounds running; the relationship risks being dropped before any pricing is on the table.
• Custom Cones' 100k set-up fee and adjusted MOQ remain unexplained, making the program impossible to evaluate against the $0.35/cone target.
• No supplier has yet confirmed an undyed cone or a defensible "100% Natural" claim, which is now the client's gating requirement.
• GO2 tamper-evident tube pricing and production are blocked until color, artwork and quantity come back; samples have still not passed testing/QC.
• Andrew has said he'll schedule via the link but hasn't — the check-in call keeps slipping.

• they owe Jiwacones (Victor) to state the volume required to price under Futurola's $0.35/cone and to properly answer the outstanding questions rejected on 9/22
• they owe Custom Cones (John) to provide dye ingredients, undyed wrap feasibility, the 100%-Natural claim confirmation, and the 100k set-up fee terms with adjusted MOQ
• they owe GO2 / Anthony Hagman to return tube color, artwork version and order quantity for the tamper-evident pop-top tubes
• we owe Tamper-evident pop-top tube sample findings and QC input still not reported back to the thread
• they owe Andrew to actually book a slot via Urja's scheduling link on the Quick Check-In thread

Jiwa (Victor Chempinsky) closed out the open question list this week and then hit a wall on price. On 9/21 he confirmed the cones cannot be supplied undyed (same colors as samples; a green blunt also exists), sent the papermill's ingredients/colorant PDF, and quoted EXW Vancouver at $0.44/unit for 30k and $0.40/unit for 50k. Packing info came with it but is internally inconsistent: he states 1 master case = 30,000 blunts (30 inner boxes x 100, foil packed) yet also says 30,000 blunts = 10 master cases and 51,000 = 17 master cases, at 14"x14"x16" and 11 lbs per case — implying ~3,000/case. Andrew pushed back on 9/22 asking what volume is needed to get under the client's Futurola price of $0.35/cone; Victor said Futurola buys 500k–1M at a time and it will be hard to beat, mentioned cheaper blunt papers exist but gave no numbers, and after Andrew noted the reply didn't answer the question, confirmed $0.44/$0.40 is final with no further volume discounts for a Futurola-comparable blunt. Heavy metals testing on the samples is still out, and the catalog we asked for in August still hasn't arrived. Ball is in our court: decide whether to keep pursuing Jiwa at a $0.05–0.09/unit premium or explore their cheaper paper options.

• [Chamomile tea leaf cones – Jiwa sourcing] Victor confirmed cones cannot be produced undyed — color will match the samples; a green-colored blunt is also available.
• [Chamomile tea leaf cones – Jiwa sourcing] Papermill ingredients/colorant PDF sent with 'available details the papermill is able to share'.
• [Chamomile tea leaf cones – Jiwa sourcing] EXW Vancouver pricing confirmed: 30,000 pcs at $0.44/unit, 50,000 pcs at $0.40/unit.
• [Chamomile tea leaf cones – Jiwa sourcing] Packing data given: 30 inner boxes x 100 blunts, foil packed; master case 14"x14"x16", 11 lbs; 30,000 blunts = 10 master cases, 51,000 = 17 — contradicts his own '1 master case = 30,000 blunts' line.
• [Chamomile tea leaf cones – Jiwa sourcing] We disclosed the client's Futurola benchmark of $0.35/cone and asked what volume is required to beat it.
• [Chamomile tea leaf cones – Jiwa sourcing] Victor: Futurola buys 500k–1M at a time; cheaper blunt papers exist as an option but no pricing or volume threshold offered.
• [Chamomile tea leaf cones – Jiwa sourcing] After we said the reply didn't answer our questions, Victor confirmed $0.44/$0.40 is his best and final — no additional volume discounts on a Futurola-comparable blunt.

• Jiwa is $0.05–0.09/unit above the client's Futurola price of $0.35 and explicitly says it cannot close the gap, putting the whole Jiwa path at risk.
• Futurola's advantage is 500k–1M unit buys; our 30k–50k volumes will not unlock competitive pricing anywhere unless the client scales up or accepts a cheaper paper.
• Master case quantity / CBM figures are self-contradictory, so landed cost and freight cannot be calculated reliably.
• No undyed option means the client may reject the product on color/colorant grounds.
• Heavy metals test results on the samples are still outstanding — a failure would end the option regardless of price.
• Product catalog requested back in August still has not been provided.
• Victor deflects specifics (cheaper papers mentioned with no pricing or volume threshold), so responses may keep coming back non-substantive.

• we owe Response to Victor after he confirmed $0.44/$0.40 is final — whether we proceed, request cheaper paper options, or close out
• they owe Product catalog, and pricing/MOQ for the cheaper blunt paper alternatives Victor referenced
• they owe Clarification of the master case quantity / CBM contradiction (30,000 per case vs 10 cases per 30,000)

No project activity this week. The QuantInsti chat contained only automated event/marketing reminders: the Annual Algo Trading Conference on 24 September 2026 at 8:30 AM EDT (agent-built strategy workshop, HFT fireside chat, AI careers panel), a follow-up reminder about the workshop agenda on judging whether agent-written components are trustworthy before they touch capital, and a reminder for the 'Inside EPAT - Live Walkthrough' webinar on 17 September at 9:30 AM EDT. Nothing sourcing-related, no quotes, samples, or orders.

• Marketing reminder: Annual Algo Trading Conference agenda, 24 September 2026, 8:30 AM EDT (75-min workshop, 30-min fireside chat, 60-min panel)
• Second reminder on the conference workshop topic: evaluating trustworthiness of agent-written trading components
• Webinar reminder: 'Inside EPAT - Live Walkthrough' on 17 September, 9:30 AM EDT

Movement was all on the dye question and the 84/26 reseller pricing. On Sep 14 John confirmed unbranded 84/26 reseller pricing at 30,000 = $0.28/cone and 50,000 = $0.25/cone, and initially believed the tea leaf blunts contained no dyes. After we pointed to André's Sep 2 ingredient list showing "Food Coloring," John reversed on Sep 15 and confirmed color is added; he is still checking whether the dye ingredients are 100% natural. On Sep 16 he came back that the factory says undyed paper may be possible, but it would carry a ~$100k cost for the paper alone and a very high MOQ — likely a non-starter for the client. John has asked us what specifically concerns the client about the dye, and that question is unanswered as of week's end. No samples, POs, or documents moved this week.

• [Custom Cones USA Distributor Program] John formally confirmed unbranded 84/26 reseller pricing: 30k = $0.28/cone, 50k = $0.25/cone (Sep 14)
• [Futurola Blunt Cone Alternative] John initially stated he believed the tea leaf blunts had no food coloring or dyes (Sep 14)
• [Futurola Blunt Cone Alternative] After we cited André's Sep 2 ingredient list, John confirmed color IS added to the tea leaf wraps (Sep 15)
• [Futurola Blunt Cone Alternative] John still checking whether the dye/food coloring ingredients are 100% natural
• [Futurola Blunt Cone Alternative] Factory says undyed paper may be producible but requires ~$100k for the paper alone plus a very high MOQ (Sep 16)
• [Futurola Blunt Cone Alternative] John flagged that undyed would also change pricing and MOQs, and asked what the client's specific concern with the dye is — unanswered
• [Custom Cones USA Distributor Program] Still no distributor collateral/terms, 5,000-unit tier, or cartons-per-case detail from John

• Undyed wrap path is likely economically unviable: ~$100k for paper alone and a very high MOQ, far above the 30k–50k volumes being quoted.
• Supplier reversed its own answer on dyes within 24 hours (first "no dyes," then "color added") — ingredient information from the factory is unreliable and needs documentation.
• If the client insists on undyed, the agreed $0.28/$0.25 pricing and MOQs will be reset.
• John is waiting on us for the client's dye concerns; thread stalls until we respond.
• Distributor program items (collateral/terms, 5,000-unit tier, cartons per case) have gone unanswered for weeks.

• we owe Reply to John explaining the client's concerns with the added dye
• we owe Client decision on whether the ~$100k/high-MOQ undyed paper route is viable
• they owe Written confirmation that the dye/food coloring ingredients are 100% natural
• they owe Firm undyed 84/26 pricing and revised MOQs beyond the $100k paper cost indication
• they owe Distributor collateral/standard terms, 5,000-unit tier and cartons-per-case

Andrew delivered the full TRG pricing grid for Franklin's cones on Sep 15, covering both 84/26 (9MQ2T) and 109/26 (R6K8N) in dyed and undyed versions at 30k/50k: 84/26 dyed $0.155 (30k) / $0.135 (50k), 84/26 undyed $0.145 / $0.125, 109/26 dyed $0.185 / $0.165, 109/26 undyed $0.175 / $0.155, all with shipping+duties broken out (e.g. 84/26 dyed 30k totals $7,500). TRG confirmed it can produce the cones with no added dyes; GVF is still pending on undyed-material pricing, with a rough estimate of $0.32–0.35/cone. Andrew also proposed a GTM strategy of launching undyed cones as a separate 'Naturals'/'Raw' SKU rather than migrating the whole line. Ryan responded same day: Franklin's wants to focus on TRG for the cost savings, and asked what the undyed cones will look like and what the turnaround time would be — he may go that route. Andrew confirmed undyed samples are in motion and will share reliable reference photos. Final size/volume/dye selection still waits on Ryan's R&D and material testing results. Andrew also noted an in-progress CRM/client-portal migration that will host invoicing once an order approaches.

• [Franklin's Cones 6M2R8Z] TRG-only pricing grid sent Sep 15 (case ref 6M2R8ZA19) covering 84/26 and 109/26, dyed and undyed, at 30k and 50k, with shipping+duties and totals included.
• [Franklin's Cones 6M2R8Z] TRG confirmed cones can be produced without any additional dyes; historically neither TRG nor GVF has ever run undyed cones.
• [Franklin's Cones 6M2R8Z] GVF undyed-material pricing still outstanding; rough estimate $0.32–0.35/cone pending feasibility.
• [Franklin's Cones 6M2R8Z] Andrew recommended a separate 'Naturals'/'Raw' SKU for undyed cones to protect brand/customer perception, with full migration later if it succeeds.
• [Franklin's Cones 6M2R8Z] Ryan down-selected TRG as the source to pursue for better cost savings.
• [Franklin's Cones 6M2R8Z] Ryan asked what the undyed cones look like and what the lead/turnaround time would be.
• [Franklin's Cones 6M2R8Z] Andrew confirmed undyed samples are in motion and will share photos as visual reference.
• [Franklin's Cones 6M2R8Z] Ryan will follow up once R&D testing results are back before committing.
• Monarch is migrating CRM platforms and improving the client portal; invoicing will move there once an order approaches.

• Neither TRG nor GVF has ever produced cones without dyes — first-run feasibility, appearance and lead time are unproven.
• GVF has still not returned undyed-material pricing, leaving the comparison incomplete.
• Order timing is blocked on Franklin's R&D/heavy metal testing results, with no date given.
• Ryan has not responded to the 'Naturals'/'Raw' separate-SKU GTM recommendation, so the launch approach is undecided.
• Volume and frequency still unconfirmed, so pricing remains indicative rather than a formal quotation.

• we owe Undyed cone appearance photos/samples and TRG turnaround time for the undyed option
• we owe GVF undyed-material pricing and feasibility (current estimate only $0.32–0.35/cone)
• they owe R&D and heavy metal test results, plus final size/volume/dye selection off the TRG pricing grid
• they owe Feedback on the separate 'Naturals'/'Raw' undyed SKU strategy

The week was dominated by the undyed/dye-free cone investigation across four supplier threads. Andrew sent Franklin's (Ryan) the completed RFQ 6M2R8ZA19 on 9/15 with full TRG dyed and undyed pricing for both sizes (84/26: $0.155/$0.135 dyed, $0.145/$0.125 undyed at 30k/50k; 109/26: $0.185/$0.165 dyed, $0.175/$0.155 undyed), noting TRG confirmed it can produce without added dyes while GVF still owes undyed pricing, and recommending a separate "Naturals"/"Raw" SKU rather than a full pivot. With Cones Factory, scope was fixed to unbranded brown tea-leaf cones; Michelle confirmed a $3k PO minimum and static pricing regardless of dye, and supplied only carton counts (900/carton for 84/26, 800/carton for 109/26, 6 boxes per master case) — unit pricing, colorant ingredients, undyed photos, CBM, pallet configuration/weights and 50k freight to Hazleton PA all remain open, and a direct contradiction emerged (Michelle says the sampled Brown Tea Leaf is undyed, Eshan says food coloring is used), so Andrew asked for a full spec sheet and escalated the zero-colorant / all-natural-colorant question to Eshan on 9/18. Custom Cones' John acknowledged the 84/26 30k/50k pricing and is researching whether the food coloring is 100% natural and whether undyed wraps are producible, plus the 84/26 undyed price delta. A new supplier thread opened with Jiwacones (Victor Chempinsky): samples were received and sent out for heavy metals testing, with requests for undyed/raw feasibility, a full ingredients/colorant list, EXW pricing at 30k/50k for both sizes, and CBM. On 3PL, the Thursday-morning intro call with Bryan Martsching (Logic Warehouse) was finally locked in after Andrew reported not receiving the invite and shared his direct cell.

• [Franklin's Cones Alternatives 6M2R8ZB02] RFQ 6M2R8ZA19 issued to Ryan 9/15 with TRG-only pricing for items 9MQ2T-4N8Q5T01/Q5MJFV01 (84/26) and R6K8N-2K7L8R01/LG6JRM01 (109/26) at 30k and 50k, dyed and undyed, shipping+duties included.
• [Franklin's Cones Alternatives 6M2R8ZB02] TRG confirmed cones can be produced with no additional dyes; GVF undyed pricing still pending, so the quote is incomplete.
• [Franklin's Cones Alternatives 6M2R8ZB02] GTM recommendation sent: launch undyed cones as a separate "Naturals"/"Raw" SKU instead of switching the existing line.
• [Monarch x Cones Factory] Andrew narrowed the inquiry to unbranded cones and asked for pricing as-is and without added dyes/coloring; $3k PO minimum acknowledged.
• [Monarch x Cones Factory] Michelle confirmed pricing is static regardless of dye/finish; freight quote for 50,000 cones to Hazleton PA still not provided.
• [Monarch x Cones Factory] Carton data received: 84/26 = 900 cones/carton, 109/26 = 800 cones/carton, 6 boxes per master case; pallet counts, weights and dimensions requested 9/17.
• [Monarch x Cones Factory] Conflict surfaced: Michelle states the sampled Brown Tea Leaf is undyed while Eshan says food coloring is used — full SKU spec sheet requested.
• [Monarch x Cones Factory] Escalated to Eshan 9/18: can cones be made with zero colorants, or can all colorants be certified all-natural-derived (not just food-safe/food-grade).
• [Monarch Pkg x Custom Cones CO-202696] John acknowledged; Andrew cited Andre's 9/2 ingredients showing "Food Coloring" and asked whether all dye ingredients are 100% natural and whether undyed wraps are producible; 84/26 undyed price delta requested. John is reverting with findings.
• [Monarch x Jiwacones] New supplier thread: samples received and sent for heavy metals testing; requests issued for undyed/raw option, full ingredients/colorant list, EXW pricing at 30k and 50k for both sizes, and CBM data.
• [Monarch 3PL / White Label] Thursday-morning intro call agreed with Bryan Martsching; invite initially not received, Andrew shared direct cell (310) 880-3251 and both confirmed "talk to you then".

• Direct contradiction between Michelle (says Brown Tea Leaf is undyed) and Eshan (says food coloring is used) — sourcing decision and the client's natural-ingredient claim are blocked until the spec sheet arrives.
• Cones Factory responses have been off-topic and partial; repeated re-asks for pricing, photos, CBM, pallet and freight data are slowing the whole cone program.
• GVF's missing undyed pricing leaves RFQ 6M2R8ZA19 incomplete, so Franklin's cannot make a full dyed-vs-undyed comparison.
• Client requires an all-natural colorant claim (not merely food-safe/food-grade); if no supplier can substantiate it, the undyed route may be the only option and could carry cost or appearance downside.
• Heavy metals testing on Jiwacones samples is pending and could disqualify that source.
• Logic Warehouse invite went missing once already — call could slip again without a confirmed calendar entry.

• they owe Cones Factory (Michelle/Eshan): unit pricing for unbranded tea-leaf cones, colorant ingredients, undyed material photos, CBM, pallet configuration/weights, 50k freight to Hazleton PA, and a complete spec sheet resolving the dyed-vs-undyed contradiction
• they owe Jiwacones (Victor): undyed feasibility, ingredients/colorant list, EXW pricing for 30k/50k both sizes and CBM
• they owe Franklin's (Ryan): response to RFQ 6M2R8ZA19 — size/qty, dyed vs undyed selection, and view on the separate "Naturals"/"Raw" SKU strategy
• they owe Custom Cones (John): findings on whether the food coloring is 100% natural, undyed wrap feasibility, and the 84/26 undyed price delta
• they owe GVF: pricing for undyed cone material to complete RFQ 6M2R8ZA19
• we owe Holding the agreed Thursday-morning 3PL/white-label intro call with Bryan Martsching

All movement this week came from Cones Factory's side; we haven't replied yet. Michelle locked the sub-50k tier: $0.07/ea for unbranded 84/26 cones, ~45k cones at the $3,000 PO minimum, same price white (bleached) or brown (unbleached), shipping included. She also gave packing specs (109/26 = 800/carton, 84/26 = 900/carton, 6 boxes per master case), pointed us to theconesfactory.com for product photos, and asked again whether this is still the ~900k/year client. On coloring she clarified that tea leaf cones use food-grade coloring but undyed (brown, no dyes/colorants) versions are available, noted tea leaf is much more expensive so a $3,000 PO would be well under 50k pcs, and said the samples we already received were the undyed brown tea leaf cones. Eshan then contradicted that on 9/18: the tea leaf samples and ingredient details we were sent DO contain food colorants, and the dye-free product Michelle meant is the Brown Hemp Wrap (hemp, not tea) — available in Brown and Green. He committed to sending full documentation for both variants, but needs until next week (originally offered Monday). Net: pricing is settled for standard unbranded cones, but the dye-free product identity and what was actually in the sample box are now unresolved, and Michelle is still waiting on us for volume confirmation and which product the PO is for.

• [Monarch x Cones Factory — blunt cones] Sub-50k pricing confirmed: $0.07/ea unbranded 84/26, ~45k cones at the $3,000 PO minimum
• [Monarch x Cones Factory — blunt cones] Price identical for white (bleached) vs brown (unbleached); shipping included in the quoted price
• [Monarch x Cones Factory — blunt cones] Packing specs provided: 109/26 = 800 cones/carton, 84/26 = 900 cones/carton, 6 boxes per master case
• [Monarch x Cones Factory — blunt cones] Michelle asked (still unanswered) whether this is the client targeting ~900k cones annually
• [Monarch x Cones Factory — blunt cones] Michelle: tea leaf cones use food-grade coloring, but undyed brown (no dyes/colorants) versions can be offered; tea leaf is much more expensive so a $3,000 PO is well under 50k pcs
• [Monarch x Cones Factory — blunt cones] Michelle stated the samples already sent to us were the undyed brown tea leaf cones
• [Monarch x Cones Factory — blunt cones] Eshan contradicted this: the tea leaf samples and ingredient details shared with us DO contain food colorants; the dye/color-free product is the Brown Hemp Wrap (hemp wrap, not tea wrap)
• [Monarch x Cones Factory — blunt cones] Hemp wraps offered in two variants, Brown and Green; Eshan will share documentation for both but needs until next week
• [Monarch x Cones Factory — blunt cones] No reply sent from our side this week — Michelle and Eshan are both waiting on us

• Direct contradiction between Michelle and Eshan on what the samples in hand are (undyed tea leaf vs colorant-containing tea leaf / brown hemp wrap) — any feedback to Monarch could be based on the wrong product
• Tea leaf cones contain food-grade colorants, which may fail Monarch's no-dye/compliance requirement; the dye-free path requires switching product category to hemp wraps
• Eshan's spec/ingredient documentation pushed from Monday to 'next week', delaying Monarch's compliance review
• Tea leaf is much more expensive, so a $3,000 PO yields far fewer than 50k units — Monarch's expected quantity may not be achievable at that budget
• Large backlog of unanswered items on our side (volume confirmation, product choice, color choice, sample feedback, sample invoice payment) with no reply sent this week — risk of stalling the relationship

• we owe Telling Michelle whether Monarch is still targeting ~900k cones annually
• we owe Telling Michelle whether the sub-50k / $3,000 PO is for standard unbranded cones, tea leaf, or hemp wraps
• we owe Responding to Eshan on which documentation/variants to prioritize (Brown vs Green hemp wrap) and confirming the sample contents question
• they owe Full hemp wrap (Brown and Green) and tea leaf documentation/spec sheets, promised for next week

Quiet week on the Jiwa relationship — the only movement was Victor Chempinsky (Jiwa North America) following up on Sep 15 to ask whether we received the Sep 3 sample shipment (FedEx 876705723730, containing the 84/26 Camomile blunt paper blend and the 109/26 Acai Barry blend) and whether we had evaluated the samples. We have not replied. Our earlier asks are still outstanding on both sides: no product catalog, pricing or MOQ has come from Jiwa, and we still haven't asked whether the Camomile blunt paper blend can be run as cones. The ball is now clearly in our court for sample feedback.

• [Chamomile tea leaf cones – Jiwa sourcing] Victor Chempinsky emailed Sep 15 asking whether the sample package (FedEx 876705723730) arrived and whether we had reviewed the 84/26 Camomile blunt paper blend and 109/26 Acai Barry blend.
• [Chamomile tea leaf cones – Jiwa sourcing] No response sent from our side this week; sample evaluation still not communicated.
• [Chamomile tea leaf cones – Jiwa sourcing] Catalog, pricing and MOQ requested back on Aug 28 remain unprovided.

• Two weeks after shipment we still haven't confirmed receipt or evaluated the samples — silence on our side risks cooling a supplier that is actively engaged.
• Core requirement (chamomile tea leaf cones) is still unmet: Jiwa does not offer chamomile paper cones, and we haven't confirmed whether the Camomile blunt blend can be converted to cone format.
• No catalog, pricing or MOQ from Jiwa yet, so the alternative-paper decision (wood/hemp options) cannot be costed.

• we owe Confirming receipt of the FedEx sample package and giving Victor feedback on the Camomile blunt and Acai Barry blend samples
• they owe Product catalog plus pricing and MOQ for Jiwa's cone/blunt paper options

Quiet week on this chat. Lena (Meijei) emailed on Sep 8 to say the proforma invoice for the paper card order has been sent, asking us to review and flag any questions. No PI file was attached to the message itself and we have not responded yet, so the PI is still unchecked and unconfirmed as of week's end. No pricing, quantities, or dates were discussed beyond that.

• [Paper card — Meijei] Lena sent/announced the proforma invoice (PI) for the paper card order on Sep 8 and asked us to check it and raise any questions.
• [Paper card — Meijei] No reply from our side this week; PI remains unreviewed and unconfirmed.
• No PI document appears attached to the email thread — may have been sent separately or omitted.

• The PI appears to have no attachment on the thread — the document may not have actually been received, which could delay confirmation and deposit.
• No response sent to Lena since Sep 8; order timeline slips while the PI sits unconfirmed.

• we owe Reviewing and confirming the paper card PI from Lena (Meijei), or coming back with questions

No sourcing or project activity this week. The only inbound was a promotional/newsletter reminder from QuantInsti about their Algo Trading Conference 2026 (8:30 AM EDT, 24 September 2026), listing the confirmed speaker line-up (Stefan Jansen, Tony Lee/Alpaca, Ajay Sharma/Edelweiss, Mridul Arora/Elevation Capital, Sameer Kumar and Nitesh Khandelwal/iRage). Nothing was asked of us and no quotes, samples, or orders are involved.

• QuantInsti sent a reminder that the speaker line-up for the Algo Trading Conference 2026 is confirmed; event runs 8:30 AM EDT on 24 September 2026 (no case — marketing email)
• No reply sent from our side; no commercial content in the thread

Movement was all on the Franklin's Cones project. Andrew disclosed the full ingredient list for the three sample SKUs (9MQ2T-4N8Q5T01 x100 and 6R8KX-7P4X9N01 x100 from TRG, R6K8N-2K7L8R01 x130 from GVF) under case ref 6M2R8ZA14 — both manufacturers use the same ingredients (chamomile, cacao, cellulose, natural binder, food coloring, water, vanilla, glycerin, potassium sorbate) with differing treatment processes and ratios — and noted our records show these passed materials testing years ago, so Ryan's independent testing should cover compliance. Ryan then asked whether cones can be sourced dye-free or with natural coloring, and for the cost of 30,000 blunt cones at 84/26mm (GVF or TRG). He clarified the dye issue is a labeling/customer-perception matter — customers push back on dyes appearing on the ingredient list — but it is not make-or-break. Andrew explained our factories have historically not produced wraps without dyes (food coloring is a standard QA/uniformity treatment), said manufacturers are still working on adjusted MOQs for dye-free material, and promised ballpark 84/26mm pricing as currently produced for budgeting. Still outstanding from Ryan: heavy metal test results, sample findings, and a volume commitment.

• [Franklin's Cones 6M2R8Z] Sent full ingredient disclosure for all 3 sample SKUs under case ref 6M2R8ZA14 — TRG (9MQ2T-4N8Q5T01 x100, 6R8KX-7P4X9N01 x100) and GVF (R6K8N-2K7L8R01 x130); same ingredients, differing treatment processes and percentages
• [Franklin's Cones 6M2R8Z] Noted our records show these materials passed materials testing years ago; assuming Ryan's independent testing covers compliance on his end
• [Franklin's Cones 6M2R8Z] Ryan requested cost for 30,000 blunt cones at 84/26mm (GVF or TRG)
• [Franklin's Cones 6M2R8Z] Ryan clarified dye-free/natural coloring is a label and customer-perception preference, not a requirement
• [Franklin's Cones 6M2R8Z] Andrew explained factories have historically not produced dye-free wraps (food coloring is standard for QA/uniformity); adjusted dye-free MOQs still pending from manufacturers
• [Franklin's Cones 6M2R8Z] Ballpark pricing on 84/26mm cones as currently produced promised ASAP for Ryan's budgeting

• Our factories have never produced wraps without dyes — dye-free option may be infeasible or come with materially higher MOQs/pricing
• Customer pushback on dyes in the ingredient list could stall Franklin's adoption if no natural-color option emerges
• No volume commitment or order frequency yet, so no formal quotation can be issued
• Heavy metal / independent test results from Ryan still outstanding, leaving compliance unverified on our records

• we owe Ballpark pricing on 84/26mm cones as currently produced, plus quote for 30,000 blunt cones (GVF and TRG)
• we owe Adjusted MOQs from manufacturers for dye-free/natural-coloring material and whether natural coloring can replace food coloring
• they owe Heavy metal test results (cc Andrew), sample testing findings, and confirmed order volume/frequency for formal quotation
• they owe Answer on Franklin's → Hamilton Farms cone supply pain points

Quiet week with Monarch, dominated by Andrew's open asks and an email-deliverability scare. On 9/8 Andrew confirmed Tyson2.0 - RED / Hybrid Pre-Roll Pouch [7R4K8] production is complete and the order is being prepped for shipment, with a precise ETA still to follow. On 9/10 he sent the same two client requests to both John (Custom Cones) and Michelle (Cones Factory): (1) can cones be produced without added food coloring/dyes, and (2) reseller pricing for the 84/26 size at 30,000 and 50,000 pcs. Neither has been answered. By 9/13 Andrew fired off five blank/'test' emails and then asked 'did this email go to spam?' — he is clearly worried his messages aren't landing, which reads as a nudge on the silence since 9/10. Nothing has been sent back from our side all week.

• [Tyson2.0 7R4K8] Andrew confirmed on 9/8 that production is complete and the order is in shipment prep; precise ETA/tracking still to come.
• [Monarch Pkg x Custom Cones CO-202696] Andrew re-sent two client requests to John on 9/10: dye-free/no food coloring cone feasibility, and reseller pricing for 84/26 at 30,000 and 50,000 pcs.
• [Monarch x Cones Factory] Identical dye-free feasibility and 84/26 reseller pricing (30k/50k) requests sent to Michelle on 9/10; still no reply.
• Andrew sent five blank/'test' emails on 9/13 and asked whether his email went to spam — deliverability on this thread needs confirming and his 9/10 requests are still unanswered.

• Andrew's 9/10 dye-free and reseller pricing requests have gone unanswered for the full week, and he is now testing whether his emails reach us — a responsiveness problem that could stall the cone program.
• Possible email deliverability issue on this thread (Andrew's messages potentially landing in spam), risking missed client requests.
• Tyson2.0 shipment has no ETA or tracking yet despite production being complete since 9/8.

• we owe Answer whether 84/26 cones can be produced without added food coloring or dyes (client review question from 9/10)
• we owe Reseller pricing for 84/26 cones at 30,000 and 50,000 pcs
• we owe Reply to Andrew confirming his emails are arriving on this thread (his 9/13 'did this email go to spam?' question)
• they owe Precise shipment ETA and tracking for the Tyson2.0 [7R4K8] pouch order

Only one substantive exchange this week: Michelle (CEO, Cones Factory) answered our open pricing/spec questions. Color is not available on the paper Monarch is looking at — they'll have to pick an uncolored paper. On volume, at 30–50k units/year we would sit in the highest (most expensive) price tier, and Cones Factory does not offer separate reseller pricing, so any distributor margin has to come from our own markup. Michelle came back with a question of her own — whether the cones we're quoting are branded or unbranded — and that is now unanswered and blocking a firm quote. Everything else (ACH sample-run payment, sample feedback, Monarch's spec/wrap decisions, the formal spec sheet from Eshan) is unchanged from last week.

• [Monarch x Cones Factory] Michelle confirmed color is not an option on the paper under discussion — Monarch must select a paper without color.
• [Monarch x Cones Factory] Michelle confirmed 30–50k annual volume places us in the highest price tier.
• [Monarch x Cones Factory] Michelle confirmed there is no dedicated reseller pricing; we apply our own markup for distribution.
• [Monarch x Cones Factory] Michelle asked whether we need branded or unbranded cones quoted — unanswered as of week's end.
• [Monarch x Cones Factory] No movement on the ACH sample-run payment, sample feedback, or Eshan's formal spec sheet this week.

• Branded vs unbranded question is unanswered and blocks a firm quote.
• Highest-tier pricing with no reseller discount squeezes margin on the distribution program.
• No color option may conflict with Monarch's branding expectations.
• Sample-run invoice still unpaid via ACH, delaying the 300 pc sample run; Monarch feedback on received samples still silent.

• we owe Telling Michelle whether the cones are branded or unbranded so she can quote
• we owe Monarch's decisions on volume, spec, wrap and paper (no color available) plus feedback on samples received
• we owe Paying the Cones Factory sample-run invoice via ACH
• they owe Formal spec sheet from Eshan

Only the CO-202696 tea leaf wrap thread moved, all on Sept 2. We confirmed to John Arriola that the 200-pc 84/26 chamomile tea leaf samples are with the client for testing and that the client wants a complete ingredients list (BOM). John looped in André Bayard, Compliance Manager, who sent the shareable raw-material list for the Tea Leaf Wraps (chamomile, cacao, cellulose, natural binder, food coloring, water, vanilla, glycerin, potassium sorbate). We asked whether the materials had ever been third-party tested, and André attached recent COAs for the wrap, which we said we'd review. We told John we're set for now; he is standing by for client test feedback. No movement on the distributor program (collateral, standard terms, 5,000-unit tier, newsletter add) this week.

• [CO-202696] Confirmed to Custom Cones USA that the 200-pc 84/26 samples were forwarded to the client for testing and that the client requested a complete ingredients list/BOM
• [CO-202696] John Arriola brought in André Bayard (Compliance Manager) to handle ingredient/compliance documentation
• [CO-202696] André sent the shareable raw-material ingredient list for the Tea Leaf Wraps: chamomile, cacao, cellulose, natural binder, food coloring, water, vanilla, glycerin, potassium sorbate
• [CO-202696] We asked whether the materials have been third-party tested; André attached recent COAs for the wrap for our review
• [CO-202696] We told John no further info is needed at the moment; he will wait for post-testing feedback from the client

• Client compliance ask may not be fully met: André shared only the ingredients he is 'able to share' and did not directly answer whether the materials have been third-party tested — the COAs may or may not cover that.
• Client test results on the 200-pc samples are still outstanding with no committed date; the whole CO-202696 path forward is gated on them.
• No supplier movement on the distributor program items (collateral, standard terms, 5,000-unit tier, cartons per case, newsletter) — several weeks of silence on those.

• we owe Client test results/feedback on the 200-pc 84/26 chamomile tea leaf samples — John is waiting on this to move CO-202696 forward
• we owe Confirming to Custom Cones USA whether the ingredient list and COAs satisfy the client's compliance requirements
• they owe Distributor program collateral / standard terms, confirmation that pricing applies to custom 84/26 with a 5,000-unit tier and cartons per case, and adding Monarch to the newsletter list

Movement was all on the cone sample track. Andrew sent the formal dispatch notice (case 6M2R8ZA14, ref 6M2R8ZA09/6M2R8ZA12) for the Tea-Leaf 'Blunt' cone testing samples — 84/26 and 109/26 in two different chamomile materials, quantities 100/130/100 across the three item codes, UPS 1ZE4C6760349071446, ETA Fri Sep 4; identical samples and quantities went to both Franklin's and Hamilton Farms. Ryan confirmed receipt on Sep 4, said the samples 'seem great,' and will send them out for heavy metal testing and report back. He asked twice for a full ingredient list/BOM and whether the cones have been third-party tested, and added a new requirement question: can these be sourced without added dyes. Andrew replied that the BOM is pending from one of the two source factories, that prior lab-testing history is still 'in discovery,' and noted the no-added-dyes request; he asked to be cc'd on all materials testing results. Pricing is still blocked — order volume and frequency remain unestablished, and Ryan has not responded on the Franklin's → Hamilton Farms cone supply pain-points question.

• [Franklin's Cones 6M2R8Z] Dispatch notice issued under case ID 6M2R8ZA14 (client 86627, brand K52) for testing samples: items 9MQ2T-4N8Q5T01 (100), R6K8N-2K7L8R01 (130), 6R8KX-7P4X9N01 (100), UPS tracking 1ZE4C6760349071446.
• [Franklin's Cones 6M2R8Z] Two sizes shipped — 84/26 and 109/26 — in two unique chamomile materials, from two different source factories; Hamilton Farms received the same samples and quantities.
• [Franklin's Cones 6M2R8Z] Ryan confirmed samples landed Sep 4, initial impression positive ('these seem great').
• [Franklin's Cones 6M2R8Z] Ryan is sending the samples out for heavy metal testing and will report findings; we asked to be cc'd on all materials test results.
• [Franklin's Cones 6M2R8Z] Ryan requested a full ingredient list and asked whether the cones have been third-party tested; we said BOM is awaiting input from one remaining factory and lab-testing history is still being researched.
• [Franklin's Cones 6M2R8Z] New client requirement raised: ability to source cones without added dyes — noted on our side, not yet answered.
• [Franklin's Cones 6M2R8Z] Next steps restated: product qualification (flavor, burn, filling automation, QA) and establishing order volume/frequency for a formal quotation; the pain-points question about the existing Franklin's → Hamilton Farms cone supply remains unanswered.

• Ingredient list/BOM delayed — one of two source factories has not returned its details, holding up Ryan's qualification.
• Third-party testing history is unknown ('in process of discovery'), which could become an issue if no prior lab data exists.
• Formal quotation is blocked: order volume and frequency still not provided by the client (open since before this week).
• Dye-free sourcing feasibility unconfirmed — could disqualify one or both chamomile materials.
• No response from Ryan on the Franklin's → Hamilton Farms supply pain-points question, leaving our commercial angle unclear.

• we owe Full ingredient list / BOM for both cone sample sources (pending one factory)
• we owe Third-party lab testing status and any existing reports
• we owe Whether the cones can be sourced without added dyes
• they owe Heavy metal test results and overall sample findings (flavor, burn, filling automation, QA)
• they owe Order volume and frequency needed to build a formal quotation
• they owe Whether there are pain-points in the current Franklin's → Hamilton Farms cone supply arrangement

Quiet week — the only traffic was on the Franklin's blunt cone alternatives thread. Kunal asked where we sourced the alternative cones, we answered, and he came back on 9/2 with "let's see how they do," asking whether we've already shared the samples with Franklin's or whether Hamilton Farms should R&D them in parallel on their side. That question is unanswered as of the last message. Nothing moved on the Tyson2.0 [7R4K8N] pouch order (3 cases / 13,500 units) — still no payment-terms confirmation or ACH receipt — and no word on the pop-top tube samples, COA batch labels, or the 7pk/14pk carton concept.

• [Franklin's Futurolas / Cones] Kunal asked on 9/1 where we sourced the alternative blunt cones; we responded and he replied 9/2 that he's interested to see how they perform.
• [Franklin's Futurolas / Cones] Kunal asked whether we've already shared the alternative cones with Franklin's, or whether Hamilton Farms should R&D them on both sides — awaiting our reply.
• [Tyson2.0 RED / Hybrid CR Zip Pre-Roll Pouch [7R4K8N]] No follow-up from Kunal on payment terms or ACH payment; production release still on hold.
• [Tamper Evident Pop-Top Tubes] No feedback received on the samples in transit.
• [COA Batch Label Samples] No movement; still blocked on mailing address.
• [Hamilton Farms 7pk / 14pk Pre-Roll Carton [3X8K7Q]] Still idle — no design feedback or spacer vs. matchbook decision.

• Tyson2.0 [7R4K8N] production remains blocked with no payment or terms confirmation from Kunal for a second consecutive stretch — the direct nudge (id=150) still hasn't produced a response.
• Radio silence on pop-top tube sample feedback, COA batch labels and the 7pk/14pk carton concept — multiple threads with no client engagement.
• Franklin's cone sourcing can't progress without shipping addresses, annual volumes and the vendor spec sheet; the group call with Kunal and Ryan is still unscheduled.
• Risk of duplicated effort if both we and Hamilton Farms independently R&D the alternative cones without clarifying ownership.

• we owe Whether the alternative blunt cones have been shared with Franklin's, or if Hamilton Farms should R&D them in parallel
• they owe Franklin's sample shipping addresses, annual cone volumes and the vendor spec sheet for the alternative cones
• they owe Tyson2.0 [7R4K8N] payment terms confirmation and ACH payment for the 3 cases / 13,500 units
• they owe Feedback on the tamper evident pop-top tube samples
• they owe Carton concept feedback and spacer vs. matchbook decision for the 7pk [3X8K7Q]

Quiet week dominated by cone sampling logistics and ingredient documentation. Andrew re-sent the Hazleton PA ship-to (572 W Broad St, PMB147, Hazleton, PA 18201) on 8/31 and, on 9/1, formally circulated the Franklin's alternatives sample dispatch under case 6M2R8ZA13: 270 pcs total (100x 9MQ2T-4N8Q5T01, 70x R6K8N-2K7L8R01, 100x 6R8KX-7P4X9N01) in 84/26 and 109/26, UPS 1ZE4C6760315738469, ETA Thursday 9/3, with identical packages to both Hamilton Farms and Franklin's. He confirmed material origins as Brazil and Indonesia and set next steps: product qualification (flavor, burn, filling automation, QA) and establishing order volume/frequency before formal pricing. On the Custom Cones/Cones Factory side, samples are now with the end client for testing and the client asked for a complete ingredients list; Andr\u00e9 supplied BOM/material info plus third-party test references, and Andrew closed that thread out with "we are set for now." On 9/4 he opened the same question to Eshan at Cones Factory — full ingredients list plus whether the material uses added dyes — which is the live unanswered ask heading into Monday. No pricing, orders or payments moved: Tyson2.0 payment selection, the 510 spiral tubes decision, matchbook quotes, COA label samples and FLWRCRT items all stayed silent.

• [Monarch x Cones Factory] Hazleton PA ship-to re-sent 8/31: MONARCH PACKAGING Ltd, 572 W Broad St, PMB147, Hazleton, PA 18201
• [Franklin's Cones Alternatives 6M2R8ZB02] Formal dispatch notice 9/1 under case 6M2R8ZA13 (refs 6M2R8ZA09, 6M2R8ZA12), brand K52, manager AA1: 270 test pcs — 100 / 70 / 100 across 9MQ2T-4N8Q5T01, R6K8N-2K7L8R01, 6R8KX-7P4X9N01
• [Franklin's Cones Alternatives 6M2R8ZB02] Two sizes shipped (84/26 and 109/26); identical qty to Hamilton Farms and Franklin's; UPS 1ZE4C6760315738469, ETA Thu 9/3
• [Franklin's Cones Alternatives 6M2R8ZB02] Andrew confirmed material origins: Brazil and Indonesia
• [Franklin's Cones Alternatives 6M2R8ZB02] Next steps set: qualification testing (flavor, burn, filling automation, QA), then order volume/frequency for formal quotation
• [Monarch Pkg x Custom Cones CO-202696] Samples with end client for testing; client requested a complete ingredients list — Andrew proposed the BOM would suffice
• [Monarch Pkg x Custom Cones CO-202696] Andrew asked Andr\u00e9 whether the materials have ever been third-party tested; Andr\u00e9 shared references and Andrew said he'd review them
• [Monarch Pkg x Custom Cones CO-202696] Andrew told John 9/2 "We are set for now" — ingredients-list thread closed
• [Monarch x Cones Factory] Michelle's BOM response acknowledged 9/2
• [Monarch x Cones Factory] 9/4 Andrew asked Eshan for a full ingredients list and whether the material uses any added dyes — still unanswered

• End clients keep pressing for full ingredients/dye disclosure — the Cones Factory (Eshan) request is unanswered and could stall qualification
• No pricing can issue until testing findings and order volume/frequency return; the timeline depends entirely on two external testers
• Continued radio silence on the Tyson2.0 payment selection (Kunal) and the 510 spiral tube 10k/15k decision, both now weeks old
• Large backlog of items on our side (matchbook quotes, COA label samples, CR glass tube feedback, tamper-evident findings, FLWRCRT ceramic mis-shipment, distributor program assets) with zero movement this week

• they owe Eshan at Cones Factory to send a full ingredients list and confirm whether the material uses added dyes (asked 9/4)
• they owe Testing findings from Hamilton Farms and Franklin's on the 270 cone samples delivered 9/3 (flavor, burn, filling automation, QA)
• they owe Order volume and frequency from Monarch/end clients so formal cone pricing can be issued
• they owe Kunal's payment-schedule choice on Tyson2.0 (full payment vs 70/30 Net30) — still silent
• they owe Monarch's client decision on 510 spiral tubes (10k vs 15k to DeForest WI) — still silent
• we owe Confirm the 9/3 UPS delivery of 1ZE4C6760315738469 to both recipients
• we owe Outstanding quotes and samples: Maryland Match matchbook (68x50mm/14 stems), Strike Matches kitting feasibility, COA batch label samples/dielines to Hazleton PA, CR glass tube and tamper-evident pop-top feedback

Quiet week — the only real movement was on the ingredient/spec front. Michelle looped in Cones Factory's CPO Eshan Sett on Sep 2, and on Sep 5 Eshan sent the full ingredient breakdown for the blunt cones: 56.68% raw material (chamomile, cacao), 31.40% cellulose/natural binder/food coloring, and 11.92% humectants (water, vanilla, glycerin, potassium sorbate), offering a formal spec sheet if we want one. Nothing moved on the paid 300 pc sample run — the ACH payment is still outstanding — and Monarch still owes decisions on volume, specs, wrap type (brown hemp vs. tea leaf with its 250k minimum) and colors, plus feedback on the sample shipments already sent.

• [Monarch x Cones Factory — blunt cones] Michelle cc'd CPO Eshan Sett onto the thread to support the account (Sep 2).
• [Monarch x Cones Factory — blunt cones] Eshan provided the full ingredient composition: 56.68% raw material (chamomile, cacao), 31.40% cellulose/natural binder/food coloring, 11.92% humectants (water, vanilla, glycerin, potassium sorbate).
• [Monarch x Cones Factory — blunt cones] Eshan offered a formal spec sheet and further info on request — we have not yet replied.
• [Monarch x Cones Factory — blunt cones] No progress this week on the 300 pc paid sample run: invoice still unpaid via ACH and color selection still unconfirmed.

• Sample run invoice remains unpaid via ACH, holding up the 300 pc paid sample production.
• Monarch has still not returned volume, spec, wrap or color decisions — Cones Factory is effectively idle on our side of the ball.
• No feedback given on samples already shipped/photographed, risking loss of momentum with a newly engaged CPO.
• Tea leaf wrap carries a 250k minimum commitment that Monarch has not evaluated.

• we owe Response to Eshan's ingredient list — whether we need the spec sheet or further detail
• we owe Monarch volume, spec, branding, wrap (brown hemp vs. tea leaf/250k minimum) and color decisions still owed to Cones Factory
• we owe ACH payment of the 300 pc sample run invoice
• we owe Feedback on sample photos and the sample shipments received (FedEx #382918151031, #383279365536)

Movement was quick on the Jiwa sample loop. Victor Chempinsky (Director of Product, Jiwa North America) asked for our delivery address on Aug 31; Andrew sent the Monarch Packaging address (572 W Broad St, PMB147, Hazleton, PA 18201) the same day, and by Sep 3 Victor shipped the sample package with FedEx tracking 876705723730. Notably, the shipment includes a foil box of 84/26 size in a Camomile blunt paper blend — despite Jiwa's earlier statement that they don't offer chamomile tea leaf paper — plus a 109/26 foil box of their new Acai Barry blunt paper blend. No catalog was mentioned in the shipment and no pricing/MOQ has been discussed yet. Next step on us: receive and evaluate the samples, and determine whether the camomile blend can be produced in cone format for the project.

• [Chamomile tea leaf cones – Jiwa sourcing] Victor Chempinsky requested our full delivery address on Aug 31 to arrange blunt and cone samples
• [Chamomile tea leaf cones – Jiwa sourcing] We sent the delivery address the same day: MONARCH PACKAGING Ltd, 572 W Broad St, PMB147, Hazleton, PA 18201
• [Chamomile tea leaf cones – Jiwa sourcing] Samples shipped Sep 3 with FedEx tracking 876705723730
• [Chamomile tea leaf cones – Jiwa sourcing] Sample contents: foil box 84/26 size in Camomile blunt paper blend, and foil box 109/26 size in Jiwa's new Acai Barry blunt paper blend
• [Chamomile tea leaf cones – Jiwa sourcing] A camomile paper blend does appear to exist (as a blunt), contradicting the earlier 'no chamomile tea leaf paper' response — worth clarifying for cone format
• [Chamomile tea leaf cones – Jiwa sourcing] No catalog was referenced in the shipment confirmation, and no prices or MOQs have been quoted yet

• Contradiction between Jiwa's statement that chamomile tea leaf paper is unavailable and the shipped Camomile blunt paper blend — cone feasibility for the required material remains unconfirmed
• Catalog still not provided, limiting our ability to assess Jiwa's full product range
• No pricing, MOQ, or lead times discussed yet, so commercial viability is unknown
• Samples so far are blunt formats (84/26, 109/26); our project needs cones, so the samples may not fully answer the sourcing question

• they owe Product catalog (and pricing/MOQ) — requested Aug 28 but not included in the Sep 3 sample shipment note
• we owe Feedback to Victor once samples arrive, including whether the camomile/alternative papers fit the project and whether the camomile blend can be made in cone format

Quiet week with a single automated update: Custom Cones USA sent an outbound shipment notification for CO-202696 on Aug 25, confirming the 200-pc 84/26 chamomile tea leaf sample run shipped via UPS Ground under tracking 1Z1973H80335169486. That's about a week later than the previously expected week-of-Aug-17 arrival, so delivery now lands late in the week of Aug 24 / early the following week. No movement on the distributor program — the collateral/standard terms, newsletter add, and the pricing confirmation for the custom 84/26 length (5,000-unit tier, cartons per case) all remain outstanding with no response from their side.

• [Futurola Blunt Cone Alternative / CO-202696] Automated outbound shipment notification received Aug 25: samples shipped UPS Ground, tracking 1Z1973H80335169486.
• [Futurola Blunt Cone Alternative / CO-202696] Ship date of Aug 25 pushes arrival past the originally expected week of Aug 17.
• [Custom Cones USA Distributor Program] No update this week — collateral, newsletter add, and 84/26 pricing tier confirmation still pending.

• Samples shipped Aug 25 rather than arriving the week of Aug 17 — client testing timeline slips by roughly a week.
• Radio silence from Custom Cones USA on the distributor program (collateral, terms, newsletter, 84/26 pricing tier) — no reply in two open threads.
• Only an automated notification received this week; no human contact from their salesperson to confirm shipment contents or answer open pricing questions.

• they owe Distributor program collateral / standard terms and adding Monarch to the newsletter/promo list
• they owe Confirmation that distributor pricing applies to the custom 84/26 length, plus a 5,000-unit tier and cartons-per-case figure
• we owe Relaying the 5,000 MOQ, 5–8 week lead times and chamomile tea leaf material confirmation to the client

Very quiet week — only acknowledgements, no substantive movement. Luana confirmed Hamilton Farms will review the tamper-evident pop-top tube samples once they physically arrive and send feedback; Anthony echoed thanks. On the Franklin's cone alternatives, Kunal replied only that they'll "keep an eye out," so the sample shipping addresses, annual cone volume projections and vendor spec sheet are all still outstanding, and the group call with Kunal and Ryan remains unscheduled. Nothing new on Tyson2.0 [7R4K8N] payment terms or the ACH receipt, nothing on the 7pk/14pk carton [3X8K7Q], and no mailing address exchanged for the COA batch label samples.

• [Tamper Evident Pop-Top Tubes] Luana confirmed 8/24 that Hamilton Farms will review samples on arrival and send feedback; Anthony acknowledged — samples still not confirmed received.
• [Franklin's Futurolas / Cones] Kunal acknowledged the cone-alternatives update 8/24 ("we'll keep an eye out") but provided no sample addresses, volume projections or spec sheet.
• No response this week on Tyson2.0 [7R4K8N] payment terms or ACH payment confirmation.
• No movement on the 7pk/14pk pre-roll carton [3X8K7Q] or the COA batch label sample shipment.

• Tyson2.0 [7R4K8N] production release (3 cases / 13,500 units) has been blocked for weeks on payment terms and ACH receipt with no follow-up from Kunal — schedule slipping.
• Franklin's cone project cannot progress without addresses, volumes and the vendor spec sheet; only acknowledgements received.
• Hamilton Farms 7pk/14pk carton [3X8K7Q] has had no design feedback or spacer-vs-matchbook decision since 6/29 — effectively dormant.
• COA batch label sample shipment still blocked on our side by the missing mailing address.
• Pop-top tube sample delivery is unconfirmed, so the feedback loop has not started.

• they owe Feedback on the tamper-evident pop-top tube samples once they arrive
• they owe Franklin's sample shipping addresses, annual cone volume projections and vendor spec sheet
• they owe Tyson2.0 [7R4K8N] payment terms confirmation and ACH payment receipt
• we owe Scheduling the group call with Kunal and Ryan on the cone roadmap
• we owe Mailing address for the COA batch label samples

Quiet week dominated by Andrew's 8/24 sample-arrival announcements — all three shipments moved under one UPS tracking (1ZE4C6760316019163). Custom CR glass tubes for Hamilton Farms (7 pcs, Item KP38T, Brand 7G8) landed for the Blackbird single/multi-pack pre-rolls, with a note that a production order will need slight artwork adjustments and that the factory refined cap-side printing. Twelve tamper-evident pop-top tubes (4 SKUs x 3) from the improved mold arrived for GO2 evaluation, pitched as a better seal than AE Global, with a 15,000 MOQ on custom color and pre-kitted labels. Franklin's alternative blunt cone samples (9MQ2T x2, R6K8N x2, 2Z4XP x10) arrived for discussion only — the 200+ pc testing quantity is still not dispatched and has no tracking. On 8/27 Andrew followed up on the Jiwacones thread confirming Chamomile Tea Leaf is the material required for the immediate sourcing inquiry and asked for samples of all available products plus a catalog. No responses from our side landed this week, and nothing moved on Tyson2.0 payment, the 510 spiral tubes decision, matchbook quoting or the CO-202696 sample cones.

• [Samples_Custom CR Glass Tubes - Hamilton Farms 7K9R2BB09] 7 pcs of custom CR glass tube samples (Item KP38T, Brand 7G8) arrived on site 8/24 via UPS 1ZE4C6760316019163; various spec directions included, factory refined cap-side printing, production order will require slight artwork adjustments.
• [Pop Top Tubes - Tamper Evident (Improved Mold) R5X8N2A10] Andrew opened a dedicated thread; 12 samples across 4 sizes (2WXKCLX, 9H9PK3V, 7LBDKG5, VV5CQ84 x3 each) arrived 8/24 for GO2 — positioned as better seal/functional reliability than AE Global, 15,000 MOQ for custom color and pre-kitting labels.
• [Franklin's Cones Alternatives 6M2R8ZB02] Discussion-only samples (9MQ2T x2, R6K8N x2, 2Z4XP x10) arrived 8/24; Ryan at Franklin's criteria reconfirmed as cost + flavor, tobacco-free chamomile tea leaf, not tied to Futurola. 200+ testing pcs still undispatched with no tracking.
• [Franklin's Cones Alternatives 6M2R8ZB02] Andrew asked again whether other team members should be added to the thread — still unanswered.
• [Franklin's Cones Alternatives 6M2R8ZB02] 8/27 on the Jiwacones thread Andrew confirmed the immediate sourcing need is Chamomile Tea Leaf and requested samples of all available products plus a full catalog.
• No movement this week on Tyson2.0 payment selection, 510 spiral tubes 10k/15k decision, matchbook quoting/artwork, CO-202696 sample cones or the Method CRM / distributor threads.

• The 200+ pc Franklin's testing samples are still not dispatched and have no tracking, delaying any real evaluation by Ryan at Franklin's.
• A large backlog of unanswered items on our side (three sample reviews, matchbook quote, CO-202696 ship date, Tyson2.0 art receipt, Method/distributor threads) — Andrew keeps adding threads while none are being closed.
• No response from Kunal on the Tyson2.0 payment schedule ($1,814.75 + $777.75 due Aug 26) — the due date has now passed.
• 510 spiral tubes RFQ remains dormant with no client decision, risking the quote going stale.

• we owe Feedback on the CR glass tube samples and the artwork adjustments required for a production order (7K9R2BB09)
• we owe Findings on the tamper-evident pop-top tube samples and guidance to GO2 on the 15,000 MOQ (R5X8N2A10)
• we owe Response on the Franklin's alternative cone samples (cost/flavor fit) and which team members to add to the thread
• we owe Catalog and full sample set of chamomile tea leaf / available products requested 8/27
• they owe Dispatch and tracking for the 200+ pc Franklin's cone testing samples
• they owe Client decision on 510 spiral tubes (10k vs 15k to DeForest WI) and Kunal's Tyson2.0 payment schedule — both still silent

Quiet week in the inbound-shipments chat — one update only. On Aug 20 Andrew Lee sent a photo of an emailed invoice identifying an inbound sample package: tea leaf pre-roll cone samples from THE CONES FACTORY (supplier code TRG), 300 pcs total — 100 x 109/26 tea leaf cones and 200 x 84/26 tea leaf cones at $0.415 each, $124.50 total, 100% upfront, due on receipt, shipped via air. No other tracking numbers, deliveries, or QC results were reported this week: Futurola, HAMILTON FARMS glass tubes, PLK and XBS pop-tops all remain in transit/pending inspection with no news, and the unlabeled FedEx 2Day shipment 0201 8753 4656 5001 is still unattributed (possibly this TRG tea leaf shipment, but not confirmed).

• [Cones Factory cone samples] Andrew Lee identified an inbound package as tea leaf pre-roll cone samples from THE CONES FACTORY (supplier code TRG), 300 pcs total
• [Cones Factory cone samples] Invoice photo shows two SKUs: 100 x '109/26 Tea Leaf Cones' and 200 x '84/26 Tea Leaf Cones' at $0.415 each — subtotal/total $124.50, 100% upfront, terms due on receipt, ship via air
• [General] No movement reported on Futurola, HAMILTON FARMS glass tubes, PLK [R5X8N2] or XBS pop-top shipments this week

• Unlabeled FedEx 2Day shipment 0201 8753 4656 5001 still unattributed — the TRG tea leaf cone invoice is a likely but unconfirmed match
• No delivery or QC confirmations this week on five in-transit sample shipments (Futurola, HAMILTON FARMS, PLK, XBS, Cones Factory FedEx 383279365536) — inspections are backing up

• we owe Confirm receipt and evaluate the TRG tea leaf cone samples (300 pcs) and reply to Andrew on what the package contained/where it belongs
• we owe QC results still outstanding on Futurola, HAMILTON FARMS, PLK and XBS sample shipments

Only one movement this week: Andrew Lee posted outbound shipment details for case 7K9R2BB06. A parcel from Monarch Packaging to Hamilton Farms (ref 35024) went out via UPS Ground Commercial on 8/21/2026 at 09:16 from The UPS Store #5937 in Hazleton, PA — tracking 1ZE4C6760316019163, cost $15.16 (paid by card, receipt photo shared). No delivery confirmation yet and no other shipments or issues reported.

• [7K9R2BB06] Shipment dispatched 8/21/2026 via UPS Ground Commercial, tracking 1ZE4C6760316019163, from Monarch Packaging to Hamilton Farms (35024)
• [7K9R2BB06] UPS Store #5937 (Hazleton, PA) receipt shared showing $15.16 total, no tax, ref MMGOPYAR3SHWS
• [7K9R2BB06] No delivery/receipt confirmation posted as of the last message

• No proof of delivery yet on 1ZE4C6760316019163; ground service means arrival date is unconfirmed
• Shipment contents/quantity for 7K9R2BB06 were not stated, so there is no record of what was actually sent to Hamilton Farms

• they owe Delivery confirmation for UPS 1ZE4C6760316019163 (case 7K9R2BB06) to Hamilton Farms

Very quiet week on the Monarch relationship — the only traffic was two emails from Andrew on the Method CRM thread. He clarified (twice) that the trial was started by signing in directly via Google with admin@mentumsupplyco.com, not the monarchpkg.com address, and reported that they have "arrived to a solution" on the bundling system, which unblocks the Items database question about nesting Parts into Kits from QuickBooks. He did not describe the solution and did not respond on a second demo call. Nothing moved on the cones sample run (CO-202696 ship date), Tyson2.0 payment selection, matchbook quoting, COA label samples, 510 spiral tubes decision or the distributor program — all still sitting where they were.

• [Method CRM Onboarding] Andrew confirmed the trial account was created by signing in via Google with admin@mentumsupplyco.com (not admin@monarchpkg.com) — our account record should be aligned to that email.
• [Method CRM Onboarding] Andrew reported they resolved the bundling/kitting question internally, so the Assembly>Component / Kit>Parts blocker on populating Items is cleared; no detail given on the approach they chose.
• [Method CRM Onboarding] No reply from Andrew on scheduling a second demo call.
• No activity this week on CO-202696 sample cones, Tyson2.0 payment schedule, matchbook quoting, COA label samples, 510 spiral tubes or the distributor program.

• Andrew's bundling 'solution' is undescribed — if it doesn't map to Method's Assembly/Kit model, the Items import may need rework later.
• Broad radio silence from Monarch on every commercial thread (CO-202696 sample ship date, Tyson2.0 payment due 8/26, matchbook quote, COA label samples, 510 tubes, distributor program) — several of these are overdue on our side and may be eroding momentum.
• Tyson2.0 payment milestone ($1,814.75 + $777.75 due Aug 26) is approaching with no confirmation from Kunal.

• we owe Acknowledge Andrew's account clarification (admin@mentumsupplyco.com), confirm his bundling solution works in Method, and propose the second demo call
• they owe Monarch's client decision on 510 spiral tubes (10k vs 15k to DeForest WI), final FLWRCRT logo files, final matchbook artwork and Kunal's Tyson2.0 payment choice — all silent this week

Quiet week — one email from Michelle at Cones Factory. She shipped the sample set via FedEx Express (tracking 383279365536) and attached photos of the samples. No pricing, spec, or volume discussion moved; everything else on the Monarch blunt cones project is still sitting on our side — the ACH payment for the 300 pc paid sample run (100x 109/26, 200x 84/26), the Monarch volume/spec/branding inputs, the brown hemp wrap look confirmation, the tea leaf wrap pricing with its 250k minimum, and the color selection for the sample run. Next step is receiving and reviewing the physical samples plus giving Michelle feedback on the photos.

• [Monarch x Cones Factory — blunt cones] Michelle sent FedEx Express tracking #383279365536 for a sample shipment
• [Monarch x Cones Factory — blunt cones] Photos of the samples attached to the email for early review ahead of delivery
• [Monarch x Cones Factory — blunt cones] No movement on our outstanding items: ACH invoice payment, Monarch spec/volume/branding inputs, hemp wrap and tea leaf wrap decisions, sample-run color confirmation

• Sample-run invoice still unpaid via ACH on our side despite Cones Factory already shipping samples — could strain goodwill or delay future runs
• Multiple Monarch-side decisions (specs, volume, wrap type, colors, 250k tea leaf minimum) have been pending for weeks with no client input, stalling the project's path to production
• Two separate FedEx sample shipments now in play (382918151031 and 383279365536) — risk of confusion over which set is which when reviewing

• we owe Feedback on the sample photos Michelle sent and confirmation the shipment was received
• we owe Monarch volume, spec and branding requirements, plus hemp/tea-leaf wrap and color decisions and the ACH payment for the sample-run invoice

No substantive activity in this chat this week. The only traffic was three "test" messages from the other party (Aug 12), with no case reference, documents, or requests. Nothing to action; the relationship/purpose of this number is still unestablished.

• Received three unexplained "test" messages from +1 (917) 770-7137 on 2026-08-12 (00:00, 00:24, 17:07) — no case, product, or document referenced
• No reply sent from our side; no quotes, samples, or production updates moved

• Unidentified contact: if this number belongs to a client or supplier trying to reach us, a real request could be sitting behind these test messages and go unanswered.

• we owe Acknowledging the "test" messages / asking the contact to identify themselves and state what they need

No substantive activity this week. Andrew Lee sent a one-word "Test" message and an unlabeled image (dc31f695e7ea5d67.jpg) on Aug 12 with no accompanying context — appears to be a connectivity/setup check rather than project traffic. No quotes, samples, pricing, or production updates on any case.

• Andrew Lee sent a "Test" message on 2026-08-12 — apparent channel/setup check, no case referenced.
• An unlabeled image file (dc31f695e7ea5d67.jpg) was shared with no description; contents and relevant case unknown.

• Chat has produced no project substance this week — if work is expected with Andrew, it is not visible in this channel and may be moving elsewhere.

• we owe Acknowledging Andrew's test message and asking what the unlabeled image (dc31f695e7ea5d67.jpg) is for.

No project activity in this chat \\ it is an automated Facebook/Meta notification channel, not a client, supplier, or teammate relationship. This week it delivered a login confirmation code (11 Aug) and a confirmation that our WhatsApp account was successfully linked to the Mentum Supply Facebook Page and business portfolio (12 Aug). Nothing sourcing-related moved; no cases, quotes, samples, or shipments are involved.

• Received Facebook confirmation code 64559 (2026-08-11) \\ automated, no action needed
• WhatsApp account confirmed connected to the Mentum Supply Facebook Page / business portfolio (2026-08-12)

Quiet week operationally — no quotes or POs moved, but five inbound sample shipments were announced to the Hazleton PMB147 address, so next week is mostly a receiving/QC week. Futurola (via Brandon) shipped blunt cone samples (FedEx 875422612782) to serve as the benchmark for Franklin's current cone spec — all other sourced cones are to be compared against these, and Futurola also threw in their new KING PALM co-branded Blunt Cone Leaf SKU with the Dutch Crown closing device. LRP sent round-2 samples for the HAMILTON FARMS glass tubes via UPS Express (1Z 0RY 413 66 0072 3189), incorporating fixes for the round-1 defective samples plus a new spot-UV artwork version. PLK (POC: Jack) shipped new-mold pop-top tubes with tamper-evident ring under case family R5X8N2 (FedEx 383076458760, ref SC608041J) after one tamper-evident ring item from their first full-catalog sample round failed our QC. XBS sent a second shipment of tamper-evident-ring pop tops from a new mold for the catalog and GO2 SKU. And Cones Factory (Michelle Wong) confirmed FedEx 383279365536 with sample photos after Andrew sent payment via ACH on Aug 12. Andrew also formalized the mailing address: MONARCH PACKAGING Ltd, 572 W Broad St, PMB147, Hazleton, PA 18201 — a UPS Store #5937 PMB shared with MENTUM SUPPLY CORP.

• [Futurola cone benchmark] Brandon shipped blunt cone samples, FedEx 875422612782, plus the new KING PALM co-branded Blunt Cone Leaf SKU with Dutch Crown closing device; purpose is to benchmark Franklin's current cone spec against other sourced cones
• [Admin] Address standardized for all Monarch correspondence: MONARCH PACKAGING Ltd, 572 W Broad St, PMB147, Hazleton, PA 18201 — a UPS Store #5937 PMB (store5937@theupsstore.com) shared with MENTUM SUPPLY CORP
• [HAMILTON FARMS glass tubes] LRP shipped 2nd-round samples via UPS Express 1Z 0RY 413 66 0072 3189, including revisions to the round-1 defective samples and a new spot-UV artwork version
• [R5X8N2 pop-top tubes] PLK (POC: Jack) shipped new-mold pop-top tubes with tamper-evident ring, FedEx 383076458760, ref SC608041J, after one tamper-evident item failed QC in round 1
• [XBS pop-top tubes] XBS sent a second shipment of new-mold tamper-evident-ring pop tops for the catalog and GO2 SKU
• [Cones Factory] ACH payment sent Aug 12; Michelle Wong provided FedEx tracking 383279365536 and photos of the cone samples in carton
• [Unattributed] A FedEx 2Day label (TRK 0201 8753 4656 5001, ref 101297, PO MCN0000027462960EX, picked up Tue 11 Aug) was posted without a named sender or case

• Quality history on two lines: HAMILTON FARMS round-1 glass tubes were defective and one PLK tamper-evident ring pop top failed QC — round-2 samples must be verified before any tooling/production commitment
• Five separate inbound shipments landing at the same PMB in the same window; risk of mixing up samples if not logged and labeled by case on arrival
• Delivery address is a UPS Store PMB — FedEx/UPS handoffs to a mailbox service can delay or refuse packages, and the box is shared with MENTUM SUPPLY CORP
• One FedEx 2Day shipment (ref 101297) has no identified sender or case attribution
• No dates committed for QC feedback to any of the four suppliers, so sampling cycles could stall on our side

• we owe Feedback to Brandon/Futurola on the blunt cone samples and the new KING PALM blunt cone leaf SKU once received
• we owe QC verdict to LRP on HAMILTON FARMS round-2 glass tube samples and the spot-UV art version
• we owe QC verdict to Jack at PLK on the new-mold tamper-evident ring pop tops (R5X8N2)
• we owe QC verdict to XBS on the second-round catalog/GO2 pop-top samples
• we owe Confirmation to Michelle Wong at Cones Factory that the samples arrived and how they evaluated
• they owe Physical delivery of all five inbound sample shipments to PMB147

No substantive activity this week. The only message in this chat was an automated WhatsApp Business onboarding/welcome notice (2026-08-11) promoting tools like automated messages, catalogs and orders. No cases, quotes, samples, or production items were touched, and nothing requires a reply.

• Automated WhatsApp Business welcome/onboarding message received 2026-08-11; no business content, no case reference

The introduction we owed finally went out: Andrew connected Dan Serard (Cannabis Creative Group) with Gary at FLWRCRT on the "FLWRCRT x Cannabis Creative" thread. Dan responded the same day, asked for a discovery call to learn about the business needs, and by the afternoon had sent a calendar invite for 11:15am PST later that week. Nothing has been scoped, quoted, or priced yet — the relationship now hinges on that call producing a defined creative scope. No documents were exchanged.

• [Cannabis Creative Group – agency partnership / client referral] Andrew made the intro between Dan Serard and Gary (FLWRCRT) by email — the referral handoff we had been holding is now complete.
• [Cannabis Creative Group – agency partnership / client referral] Dan asked for a quick call this week to learn about the end client's business needs.
• [Cannabis Creative Group – agency partnership / client referral] Dan sent a calendar invite for 11:15am PST; he is Boston-based but familiar with the LA market.
• [Cannabis Creative Group – agency partnership / client referral] No scope, deliverables, or fees discussed yet — all pending the discovery call.

• No scope, deliverables, or budget defined yet — the partnership produces nothing until the discovery call converts into a defined project.
• Our review of Cannabis Creative's overview/portfolio is still outstanding, so we can't yet vouch for fit if the end client asks.
• Referral now runs directly between Dan and the client; without a check-in we could lose visibility on whether it progresses.

• they owe Discovery call with Gary at 11:15am PST and a scope/proposal for FLWRCRT's creative work afterwards
• we owe Reviewing Cannabis Creative Group's overview and portfolio (still outstanding from the intro call)

Only movement this week was on the CO-202696 sample run. Andrew chased John on Aug 12 for an ETA, and John confirmed the 200-pc 84/26 chamomile tea leaf sample order has shipped, with delivery expected the following week (week of Aug 17) — well ahead of the original 3–4 week lead time. John said he'd notify us when it's on its way, but no tracking number or carrier detail was provided. No progress on the distributor program (collateral/standard terms, 5,000-unit tier, cartons per case, newsletter add) — that thread stayed silent.

• Futurola Blunt Cone Alternative: John confirmed the CO-202696 200-pc 84/26 chamomile tea leaf sample run has shipped, expected to arrive next week (week of Aug 17).
• Futurola Blunt Cone Alternative: John committed to notifying us when the shipment is on its way; no tracking number or carrier shared yet.
• Futurola Blunt Cone Alternative: Andrew flagged that the end client is eager to test the samples immediately.
• Custom Cones USA Distributor Program: No response this week on program collateral, standard terms, 5,000-unit tier, cartons per case, or newsletter add.

• Sample delivery is verbal only — no tracking number or carrier provided, so the 'next week' arrival cannot be verified and the client's testing timeline could slip.
• Distributor program items (collateral/terms, 5,000-unit tier, cartons per case, newsletter add) have gone quiet for multiple weeks, blocking our ability to quote the client at volume.

• they owe Tracking number / shipping notification for the CO-202696 200-pc tea leaf sample run
• they owe Distributor program collateral and standard terms, plus confirmation of pricing for custom 84/26, a 5,000-unit tier, cartons per case, and adding Monarch to the newsletter list

Quiet week on delivery — no movement on any active packaging or sample workstreams. The only traffic was a new intro thread: Andrew connected Gary Bryman (FLWRCRT co-founder, Venice/LA, PST) with Dan on "FLWRCRT x Cannabis Creative." Gary pushed for the earliest possible slot, we offered 11:15 AM PST and he confirmed, and he said he'd send FLWRCRT's NDA for review and signature ahead of the call. Andrew was moved to BCC. Nothing new on quantities or launch dates for the Colorado pilot, no tracking for the resent ceramic samples, and our overdue items (preliminary packaging proposal + timeline, tin concept/regulatory feedback, written recaps, and a written position on the F&F SAFE) all remain outstanding.

• New intro thread "FLWRCRT x Cannabis Creative" — Andrew introduced Gary to Dan; Gary wants to walk through FLWRCRT's immediate packaging and creative needs
• Intro call confirmed for 11:15 AM PST; Gary is LA/Venice-based and pushed for the soonest available window
• Gary to send FLWRCRT's NDA for review and signature ahead of the call
• Andrew moved to BCC on the thread
• No update this week on the resent ceramic samples or tracking (FLWRCRT Ceramic Samples)
• No packaging quantities or launch dates provided for the Colorado pilot
• Our promised preliminary tin packaging proposal, timeline and concept feedback still not sent

• Multiple commitments from us are now weeks overdue (packaging proposal/timeline, tin concept feedback, Aug 4 call recap, F&F SAFE response) — credibility risk heading into the new call
• Ceramic FLWRCRT samples still not confirmed resent and no tracking provided, blocking any physical evaluation
• Colorado pilot remains unscoped — no quantities or launch dates, so no proposal can be firmed up
• NDA not yet received; if it lands late it could delay or limit the intro call discussion

• they owe Sending the FLWRCRT NDA for review and signature ahead of the call
• they owe Packaging quantities and target launch dates for the Colorado pilot; tracking for the resent ceramic FLWRCRT samples
• we owe Preliminary packaging proposal + timeline, tin concept and regulatory/retail/production feedback, written call recaps, and a written response on the $500K F&F SAFE

A quiet, mostly follow-up week from Andrew at Monarch. On FLWRCRT, Andrew made the formal email intro between Gary Bryman (FLWRCRT/Solopipe) and Dan at Cannabis Creative for brand/creative support, and separately asked Leo for a 15-minute PWF creative call — Andrew confirmed Tuesday morning works and is waiting on our calendar invite. On the Cones Factory sample run, Andrew chased Michelle on the invoice on 8/12 and then confirmed payment sent via ACH the same evening; we still owe him confirmation of receipt. On CO-202696, Andrew pushed John for a sample status update, noting the client wants to test immediately; John replied and Andrew acknowledged, but no committed ship date is visible. On Method CRM, Monarch has started its trial and is blocked populating the Items database — Andrew asked twice (8/13 and 8/14) about the recommended Assembly>Component / Kit>Parts workflow, flagged that some parts are sellable items on their own, said they can't nest Parts into Kits in QuickBooks, gave the account admin@monarchpkg.com, and asked whether a second demo call would help. No movement on matchbooks, COA label samples, 510 spiral tubes, Tyson2.0 or the distributor program. Two stray connector test emails on 8/14 are noise.

• [FLWRCRT POP Packaging] Andrew introduced Gary Bryman to Dan at Cannabis Creative (cannabis CPG branding agency) for broader brand/creative direction on packaging design (8/10).
• [FLWRCRT POP Packaging] Andrew asked Leo for a quick 15-min connect on how PWF can assist with FLWRCRT packaging creative; confirmed Tuesday morning and asked us to send the invite (8/10).
• [Monarch x Cones Factory] Andrew chased Michelle for an invoice update on 8/12 and confirmed payment sent via ACH the same day at 17:57.
• [Monarch Pkg x Custom Cones [CO-202696]] Andrew pressed John for a sample status/ETA, stating the client is eager to test immediately; John responded and Andrew acknowledged ("Copy that" / "sounds good") — no ship date visible.
• [Method CRM Onboarding] Monarch started the Method trial and asked Mikaela for the recommended Assembly>Component / Kit>Parts workflow for populating Items, noting some parts are sellable items themselves (8/13).
• [Method CRM Onboarding] Andrew followed up 8/14 with the account to search (admin@monarchpkg.com) and reported they cannot nest Parts into Kits in QuickBooks; asked whether a second demo call would help.
• Two test emails ("Hands-Free Claude Gmail Connector Test 1") sent 8/14 — no business content.

• Client behind CO-202696 is eager to test immediately but no ship date has been committed — pressure building on the ~200-pc sample run.
• Method CRM trial is stalled on Items setup (Parts can't be nested into Kits in QuickBooks); a second unanswered ask in two days risks the trial lapsing without adoption.
• ACH payment sent with no acknowledgement yet — payment/invoice reconciliation gap on the Cones Factory sample run.
• No movement this week on matchbook quoting (68x50mm/14 stems, white samples), COA batch label samples/dielines, 510 spiral tube 10k vs 15k decision, distributor program assets or Tyson2.0 payment selection — several of these are aging.

• we owe Calendar invite to Andrew for the Tuesday-morning FLWRCRT/PWF creative call he already confirmed
• we owe Method CRM answer on Assembly>Component / Kit>Parts workflow, the QuickBooks Parts-into-Kits nesting limitation, and scheduling a second demo call (account admin@monarchpkg.com)
• we owe Confirmation that Andrew's ACH payment for the Cones Factory sample-run invoice was received
• we owe Committed ship date / ETA for the CO-202696 sample cones the client wants to test now

Quiet week — the only movement was Michelle sending the invoice for the 300 pc paid sample run (100x 109/26, 200x 84/26) via QuickBooks, noting Cones Factory accepts ACH payments only. No confirmation yet that our color selections were captured, and the free sample set (FedEx #382918151031) has not been reported as arrived. All Monarch-side inputs — volume/specs/branding, annual volume for the distribution program, hemp wrap acceptability, and the tea leaf 250k minimum decision — remain owed from us.

• [Monarch x Cones Factory — blunt cones] Michelle issued the invoice for the 300 pc paid sample run through QuickBooks; payment must be by ACH only
• [Monarch x Cones Factory — blunt cones] No update on free sample delivery (FedEx #382918151031) or on our pending color selection

• Sample run may not start until the invoice is paid and color selections are confirmed — both still on us
• Multiple Monarch-side inputs (volume, specs, branding, hemp wrap feedback, 250k tea leaf minimum) have been outstanding for weeks, stalling the larger program discussion
• No confirmation that the free sample set (FedEx #382918151031) has arrived

• we owe ACH payment of the QuickBooks invoice for the 300 pc paid sample run
• we owe Confirming color options for the 300 pc sample run
• we owe Monarch volume, spec requirements and branding needs; annual volume estimate for the distribution program; feedback on brown hemp wrap and the tea leaf 250k minimum

Quiet week — relationship-building only, no quotes or samples. Dan Serard (CRO, Cannabis Creative Group / CHAMP Digital) followed up after the intro call held in late July, thanking us for the time and saying he's ready for an introduction to our end client so his team can scope their project. We appear to have sent him a heads-up on timing, which he acknowledged. Nothing is quoted, priced or scheduled yet; the ball is with us to make the client introduction.

• Dan Serard emailed post-intro-call thanks and confirmed he's waiting on an introduction to our client to scope their project (Cannabis Creative Group partnership)
• We sent Dan a heads-up on timing, which he acknowledged ("Sounds good, thanks for the heads up!") — no date committed for the intro
• No documents, quotes or pricing exchanged this week

• No timeline committed for the client introduction — momentum from the intro call could fade if it drags
• Scope, budget and the client's actual requirements are still completely undefined

• we owe Making the introduction to our end client so Cannabis Creative Group can scope their project

Quiet week — one open spec question got answered. John Arriola (VP BizDev) came back after a delay on the CO-202696 order approval thread and confirmed the tea leaf wraps are chamomile; Andrew acknowledged and closed the question. Our written "Approved" for the 200-pc 84/26 tea leaf sample run was already on record from July 22, so the order is cleared for production and we're now purely waiting on Custom Cones USA to produce and ship within the quoted 3–4 week lead time. No movement on the distributor program (collateral/standard terms, newsletter add, or the 84/26-specific pricing confirmation with a 5,000-unit tier and cartons-per-case).

• [Futurola Blunt Cone Alternative] John Arriola confirmed the tea leaf wraps are chamomile, answering our July 22 material question.
• [Futurola Blunt Cone Alternative] Andrew accepted the chamomile confirmation; no further questions raised on the spec.
• [Futurola Blunt Cone Alternative] Written approval for order form CO-202696 (200 pcs, 84/26 tea leaf samples) is confirmed on file from July 22 — production can proceed.
• [Custom Cones USA Distributor Program] No response this week on distributor collateral, standard terms, newsletter add, or the 84/26 pricing/5,000-unit tier confirmation.

• Approval has been on file since July 22 with no production or shipping confirmation from Custom Cones USA — the 3–4 week lead time may already be slipping.
• John's slow reply pattern (missed follow-up question for ~2 weeks) risks further delays on the outstanding distributor program items.
• Any change after approval carries a $150 change fee, so client feedback on the samples must not require order edits.

• they owe Production and shipment of the 200-pc 84/26 chamomile tea leaf sample run (CO-202696) — approval given July 22, no status update yet
• they owe Distributor program collateral and standard terms
• they owe Adding Monarch to the newsletter/promo list
• they owe Confirming distributor pricing applies to the custom 84/26 length, plus a 5,000-unit tier and cartons per case
• we owe Relaying the 5,000 MOQ, 5–8 week lead times and chamomile material confirmation to the client

Effectively no project movement this week — the only traffic was calendar logistics for the MONARCH x FLWRCRT call on Tue Aug 4, 5:30–6:00pm EDT. Gary asked us to add Leo@prettywellfit.com to the invite and Andrew confirmed it was sent. Nothing was heard afterward: no recap, no preliminary tin packaging proposal or timeline, no tin concept/regulatory feedback, no written position on the $500K F&F SAFE, and no tracking for the resent ceramic FLWRCRT samples. All four open cases remain where they were, and our overdue deliverables from the prior week (promised end of week 7/31) are now more than a week late.

• Gary asked that Leo@prettywellfit.com be added to the Tue Aug 4 (5:30–6:00pm EDT) MONARCH x FLWRCRT Google Meet; Andrew confirmed the invite was sent
• Call held/scheduled for Aug 4 but no post-call notes, recap, or deliverables exchanged in the chat by week's end
• No update on the resent ceramic FLWRCRT samples or tracking number (FLWRCRT Ceramic Samples)
• Still no preliminary packaging proposal, timeline, or tin concept feedback delivered to Gary (FLWRCRT Universal Tin Packaging)
• No response yet on the $500K Friends & Family SAFE ask (FLWRCRT Friends & Family SAFE Round)
• No packaging quantities or launch dates received for the Colorado pilot (Colorado Pilot Packaging)

• Multiple overdue commitments on our side (proposal, timeline, tin feedback, SAFE response) with no delivery this week — credibility risk with Gary
• No written output after the Aug 4 call, so alignment and next steps are undocumented
• Ceramic FLWRCRT samples still unaccounted for with no tracking, blocking sample evaluation
• Colorado pilot cannot be scoped without quantities and launch dates from Gary

• we owe Preliminary tin packaging proposal, timeline, and concept/regulatory feedback promised by 7/31 — now over a week late
• we owe Written position on the $500K F&F SAFE ($5M cap, 25% discount, $25K min)
• we owe Feasibility read on a limited domestic pilot packaging run for Colorado
• they owe Packaging quantities and target launch dates for the Colorado pilot
• they owe Tracking number for the resent ceramic FLWRCRT samples

Very quiet week — a single email from Luana on 8/3 on the Tyson2.0 RED / Hybrid CR Zip pouch thread [7R4K8N], simply saying she expects Kunal to follow up soon. No payment terms confirmation, no ACH remittance, and therefore no production release on the 3 cases / 13,500 units. Nothing new on Franklin's Futurolas (still no sample addresses, volumes or vendor spec sheet), the COA batch label samples (still blocked on our mailing address), or the Hamilton Farms 7pk/14pk carton [3X8K7Q].

• [7R4K8N] Luana replied 8/3 that Kunal will follow up shortly on the Tyson2.0 pouch order — no payment terms or ACH confirmation yet, so production remains unreleased on 3 cases / 13,500 units.
• No movement this week on Franklin's Futurolas cones, COA batch label samples, or the Hamilton Farms 7pk/14pk carton [3X8K7Q].

• Tyson2.0 production release is stalled purely on payment terms/ACH confirmation — a second week of drift risks pushing the SEA shipping window.
• Only one substantive message all week; multiple open threads (cones, COA samples, carton [3X8K7Q]) got no response and are going quiet.
• Carton [3X8K7Q] has had no client feedback since 6/29 and is effectively stalled.

• they owe Kunal's follow-up on Tyson2.0 payment terms and confirmation of the ACH payment so production can be released
• they owe Franklin's Futurolas sample shipping addresses, annual cone volumes, and vendor spec sheet for alternative cones
• they owe Hamilton Farms carton [3X8K7Q] concept feedback and the 7pk spacer vs. matchbook void-fill decision
• we owe Mailing address for the COA batch label samples and the written recap of the 7/6 call

Quiet week dominated by the Cones Factory sample run. Andrew locked the 300-pc sample split — 100 pcs of 109/26 and 200 pcs of 84/26 — asked whether pricing is consistent across materials/colors, and requested an invoice so Monarch has it on hand when their client greenlights a color. By Thursday he picked the BROWN colorway and asked what differences to expect in flavor, burn and other performance criteria between colors ("color and flavor are key here"). On Custom Cones CO-202696 he acknowledged John's answer to our open question, so that thread is unblocked; the ~200 mock-up samples still need to be produced. Tyson2.0 saw only a heads-up from Lu at Hamilton Farms — Kunal's payment-schedule choice ($1,814.75 + $777.75 due Aug 26) is still outstanding. Andrew pushed his client call and now expects to make the Cannabis Creative intro mid-week, and he dropped a light SOW into the FLWRCRT Friends & Family investor thread with Gary. Friction point: he escalated on ACH, saying our reply "does not address my question" and demanding to know why the transfer took longer than expected. No movement on proposals, FLWRCRT logo files, matchbook artwork or the 510 spiral tube 10k/15k decision.

• [Monarch x Cones Factory] Andrew confirmed sample quantities: 100 pcs 109/26 + 200 pcs 84/26, and asked whether 300-pc sample pricing is consistent across materials/colors
• [Monarch x Cones Factory] Invoice for the sample run formally requested so Monarch has it ready when their client greenlights a color
• [Monarch x Cones Factory] BROWN option selected; Andrew asked for notable differences in flavor, burn and other criteria between colors
• [Monarch Pkg x Custom Cones] Andrew acknowledged the CO-202696 info from John ("Yes, thanks for the info") — our outstanding question on the wrap material is answered
• [Tyson2.0 7R4K8] Lu sent a heads-up on the pouch order; Andrew acknowledged, no payment-schedule decision from Kunal yet
• [FLWRCRT] Andrew dropped a light SOW into the FLWRCRT Friends & Family investor overview thread with Gary
• [Billing/ACH] Andrew escalated on the ACH payment thread — our answer "does not address my question"; he wants the root cause of the delay to anticipate future issues
• [Cannabis Creative intro] Andrew moved his client call; intro to Dan Serard now expected mid-week
• Andrew opened a question on the Method demo (Mikaela) — message truncated, intent unclear

• Andrew is visibly dissatisfied with our ACH explanation — unresolved payments friction could sour a multi-project relationship
• Sample production is gated on the client's final color green light even though BROWN is the working choice; further color changes would reset the run
• Cannabis Creative intro has slipped again due to Andrew's client scheduling
• Long-standing silence on FLWRCRT logo files, the 510 spiral tube volume decision and matchbook artwork is stalling three separate workstreams
• Tyson2.0 payment window (second installment due Aug 26) is approaching with no schedule selected by Kunal

• we owe Invoice for the 300-pc cone sample run (100x 109/26 + 200x 84/26, BROWN)
• we owe Whether sample pricing is consistent across materials/colors
• we owe Differences in flavor/burn/performance between cone colors
• we owe Explanation of why the ACH payment took longer than expected
• they owe Andrew's proposals, promised since last week
• they owe Final FLWRCRT logo files for POP carton engineering
• they owe Monarch's client decision on 510 spiral tubes (10k vs 15k to DeForest WI)
• they owe Final matchbook artwork for the Maryland Match / Match Group program
• they owe Kunal's choice of payment schedule for the Tyson2.0 tooling/order
• they owe Intro to the Cannabis Creative client after Andrew's mid-week call

Two short exchanges moved the Cones Factory sample track forward. Michelle sent FedEx Express tracking #382918151031 for the free sample set on Aug 3, so those samples are now in transit. On Aug 6 she confirmed pricing is uniform across materials and colors and said she'll issue an invoice for the paid sample run — 100 pcs of the 109/26 format and 200 pcs of the 84/26 format (300 pcs total), effectively confirming we're proceeding with that order. She's waiting on us to specify which color options to include (or whether to take all). Still outstanding from our side: Monarch volume/spec/branding inputs, the annual volume figure for the distribution program, feedback on the brown hemp wrap look, and a decision on the tea leaf 250k minimum commitment.

• [Monarch x Cones Factory — blunt cones] Free sample set shipped — FedEx Express tracking #382918151031 provided 2026-08-03
• [Monarch x Cones Factory — blunt cones] Michelle confirmed pricing is identical across materials and colors
• [Monarch x Cones Factory — blunt cones] Paid sample run proceeding: 100 pcs of 109/26 + 200 pcs of 84/26 (300 pcs); invoice to follow
• [Monarch x Cones Factory — blunt cones] Michelle asked which color options to include in the sample run — all or a subset; no reply yet

• Monarch volume, spec, branding and annual volume inputs have been outstanding for multiple weeks, holding up the distribution program discussion
• No decision yet on the 250k minimum commitment for tea leaf wrap, which gates any real tea leaf program
• Invoice for the sample run is blocked until we pick colors — delay here pushes out sample lead time

• we owe Telling Michelle which color options to include in the 300 pc paid sample run
• we owe Monarch volume, spec and branding requirements, plus estimated annual volume for the distribution program
• we owe Feedback on the brown hemp wrap look and the tea leaf 250k minimum commitment
• they owe Invoice for the 300 pc paid sample run

Only scheduling movement this week on the Cannabis Creative Group relationship. Dan Serard (CRO) said he was fully booked on Tue 7/28 and offered Wed 7/29 or Thu 7/30 instead; a new slot was agreed and Dan confirmed he updated the invite on his end. No agency overview/portfolio materials or scope discussion yet — nothing substantive beyond the reschedule.

• Dan Serard unavailable Tue 7/28, proposed moving the intro call to Wed 7/29 or Thu 7/30
• New time agreed and Dan confirmed the calendar was updated on his side — invite no longer outstanding from him
• No agency materials, pricing or scope shared yet

• Relationship has stalled at the scheduling stage — one reschedule already, and no substantive discussion of scope or services yet

• we owe Attending the rescheduled intro call with Dan Serard and reviewing Cannabis Creative Group's overview/portfolio beforehand

Only calendar traffic this week. Dan Serard (Champ Digital / Cannabis Creative Group) rescheduled the Monarch Packaging x Cannabis Creative Group intro call to Thursday Jul 30, 2026, 1:00–1:30pm EDT via Google Meet; attendance is marked optional for us. No RSVP was sent and there is no record in this chat of the call having happened or of any follow-up, so the relationship remains at the introductory stage with no project, quote, or spec discussion yet.

• Dan Serard sent an updated Google Calendar invite: Monarch Packaging x Cannabis Creative Group moved to Thu Jul 30, 2026, 1:00–1:30pm EDT (Google Meet, dial-in +1 401-903-2181, PIN 743476505)
• Our attendance was flagged as optional; no RSVP from us this week
• No follow-up or recap after the scheduled Jul 30 call appears in this chat

• Meeting time was changed and we never responded to the invite — risk of missing the call or appearing unresponsive to a new introduction
• No substantive project, product, or quote discussion yet; relationship could go cold without a post-call follow-up

• we owe RSVP to Dan Serard's rescheduled Monarch Packaging x Cannabis Creative Group meeting invite (Thu Jul 30, 1pm EDT)

Dora at Colorful Packaging came back on the Tyson 2.0 artwork thread on July 29. She sent a design proof with one black color corrected for our sign-off, then followed with a proforma invoice including bank details, and 11 minutes later replaced it with an updated invoice. She also asked which email address we want used to draft the order on Alibaba. Nothing was sent from our side after Andrew's 08:40 receipt-confirmation request, so proof approval, invoice payment, and the Alibaba email question are all still open with us.

• [Tyson 2.0 Packaging] Dora sent the design proof with the single black-color fix applied, for our approval
• [Tyson 2.0 Packaging] Invoice issued with bank/wire information, then superseded by an updated invoice the same morning
• [Tyson 2.0 Packaging] Dora asked which email address to use to draft the order on Alibaba — no reply yet from us

• Two invoices were sent 3 minutes apart (original then 'updated') — risk of paying against the wrong version if not confirmed.
• Bank details delivered by email; verify against known account before wiring to avoid payment-diversion fraud.
• No reply from our side since 7/29 — proof approval, payment, and the Alibaba question are all stalled on us and could delay production.

• we owe Approval of the Tyson 2.0 design proof with the black color correction
• we owe Confirmation/payment of the updated invoice and which email address to use for the Alibaba order draft

Quiet week driven by Gary chasing the preliminary packaging proposal and a ceramic sample mix-up. On 7/27 Gary asked for an ETA on the prelim proposal, noting two customers ready to run a pilot and asking whether a limited domestic pilot packaging run could be done to start testing while final volume packaging is developed; Andrew replied the same morning that he was tied up until Thursday and committed to proposals by end of week. The Hazleton package was retrieved, but on 7/30 Andrew reported it contained only a single Elektra unit — no ceramics. Gary first said (8/1) the FLWRCRTs were tucked inside the Elektra box for protection, then on 8/2 conceded the mistake and said he is resending the ceramics (no new tracking provided yet). The proposal did not go out by the promised end of week, and there was still no written response on the tin concepts, regulatory guidance on flower imagery, or the F&F SAFE.

• [FLWRCRT Ceramic Samples] Package from Hazleton PA retrieved, but only a single Elektra unit arrived — ceramic FLWRCRT samples were not inside (7/30)
• [FLWRCRT Ceramic Samples] Gary initially said the FLWRCRTs were placed inside the Elektra box for protection (8/1), then acknowledged the error and said he is resending the ceramics (8/2) — no new tracking yet
• [Colorado Pilot Packaging] Gary re-asked for a proposal ETA, citing two customers ready to run a pilot and needing to back into a packaging timeline (7/27)
• [Colorado Pilot Packaging] Gary again floated a limited domestic pilot packaging run to expedite testing while final volume packaging is developed (7/27)
• [FLWRCRT Universal Tin Packaging] Andrew committed to delivering the proposals by end of week (7/27); nothing sent as of 8/2
• [FLWRCRT Friends & Family SAFE Round] No mention or movement this week

• Ceramic samples were never actually shipped/included — resend pushes back hands-on evaluation of the ceramic direction by at least another week.
• Preliminary proposal slipped past the end-of-week commitment we made on 7/27; Gary has two pilot customers waiting on a packaging timeline.
• Multiple open asks from us have now been outstanding for two weeks (tin feedback, regulatory guidance, pilot feasibility, SAFE response) — risk of eroding credibility with Gary.
• Still no pilot quantities or launch dates from Gary, making any timeline or domestic pilot feasibility assessment guesswork.

• they owe New tracking/confirmation for the resent ceramic FLWRCRT samples
• they owe Packaging quantities and target launch dates for the Colorado pilot
• we owe Preliminary packaging proposal + timeline promised by end of week 7/31 — now overdue
• we owe Feedback on tin concepts, including regulatory guidance on showing real flower and retail/production constraints
• we owe Feasibility answer on a limited domestic pilot packaging run
• we owe Written response to Gary on the $500K F&F SAFE

Quiet week, but the Tyson2.0 pouch order cleared its main blocker: Luana approved the art proof as shown (confirming the 'live rosin' typo removal) and returned the signed invoice on 7/27, instructing us to proceed with production on the 3 cases / 13,500 units. She noted ACH details were already shared with Kunal, but Kunal then asked us to restate the agreed payment terms — that question is still unanswered, so production release is now gated on our reply and on payment landing. Anthony Hagman is out on personal time through 7/28 (back 7/29), pointing urgent items to wholesale@, egensheimer@ and Kunal. No movement on the 7pk/14pk carton [3X8K7Q], Franklin's Futurolas cones, COA batch label samples, or the onsite visit.

• [7R4K8N] Luana approved the Tyson2.0 RED / Hybrid CR zip pouch art proof in writing ('Approved as shown') and returned the signed invoice on 7/27 with instruction to proceed with production
• [7R4K8N] Luana confirmed the 'live rosin' typo was removed from the proof and that ACH info was already passed to Kunal
• [7R4K8N] Kunal asked us to restate the agreed payment terms — no reply sent yet
• Anthony Hagman on personal leave 7/22–7/28, back 7/29; urgent items routed to wholesale@, egensheimer@, or Kunal

• Production cannot be released until payment terms are re-confirmed to Kunal and ACH funds arrive — timeline slippage on the 7R4K8N build
• Anthony out until 7/29, slowing any decisions that need VP of Operations sign-off
• Continued silence on the 7pk/14pk carton [3X8K7Q] concept feedback and void-fill decision — project idle since 6/29
• No response on Franklin's Futurolas inputs (addresses, volumes, vendor spec sheet), blocking the cone roadmap call and sample development
• COA batch label samples still blocked on our side for a mailing address

• we owe Restating the agreed payment terms for the Tyson2.0 pouch order to Kunal
• they owe Sending the ACH payment against the signed Tyson2.0 invoice
• they owe Carton concept feedback and 7pk void fill decision (spacer vs. matchbook) for [3X8K7Q]
• they owe Franklin's sample shipping addresses, annual cone volumes, and vendor spec sheet
• they owe Confirming dates for the TBD onsite visit
• we owe Sending the mailing address for the COA batch label samples

Quiet week on quoting, busy on two fronts. Tyson2.0 pre-roll pouch (7R4K8) moved to commercial terms: Andrew confirmed Monarch will absorb the extra tooling cost for the art revisions and put two payment options to Kunal at Hamilton Farms — one full payment, or 70/30 Net30 ($1,814.75 deposit / $777.75 due Aug 26, 2026). He then sent the production AI art file to Dora on 7/28 (Case 7R4K8NA02, Item 8R3XK, CMF 5T8K3R02) and chased twice for confirmation of receipt — still unacknowledged. On Cones Factory, Andrew asked that the inquiry start with product samples, raised the sample quantity to 300 pcs so he can send to 5 different testing facilities, accepted Michelle's recommended option, confirmed samples for BOTH sizes, requested an invoice, and set 572 W Broad St, PMB 147, Hazleton PA 18201 as the default ship-to on file. FLWRCRT went backwards: the ceramic shipment arrived on 7/30 with only a single Elektra unit and zero FLWRCRTs; Andrew sent a photo of the contents on 8/2 and is waiting on an explanation. The Cannabis Creative Group intro call was pushed from Tuesday 11:30 to Thursday, 30 min between 1–3pm EST. Andrew also flagged he was tied up until Thursday and expects to send proposals end of week — nothing received as of Monday.

• [Tyson2.0 pouch 7R4K8] Andrew confirmed Monarch will cover the additional tooling costs arising from the art revisions.
• [Tyson2.0 pouch 7R4K8] Payment terms put to Kunal (Hamilton Farms): one full payment (standard for this volume) or 70/30 Net30 — $1,814.75 deposit, $777.75 balance due Aug 26, 2026.
• [Tyson2.0 pouch 7R4K8] Art AI file sent to Dora on 7/28 with reference Case 7R4K8NA02 / Item 8R3XK / CMF 5T8K3R02; Andrew chased again 7/28 20:39 for confirmation of receipt — still unconfirmed.
• [Monarch x Cones Factory] Andrew asked that samples be prepared for testing before any material/selection discussion.
• [Monarch x Cones Factory] Sample quantity raised to 300 pcs so Monarch can send to 5 different facilities for testing; invoice requested.
• [Monarch x Cones Factory] Andrew accepted Michelle's recommended option and confirmed samples will be made in both sizes.
• [Monarch x Cones Factory] Default delivery address set on file: Monarch Packaging Ltd., 572 W Broad St, PMB 147, Hazleton, PA 18201.
• [FLWRCRT POP Packaging] Ceramic sample shipment arrived short — only one Elektra unit, no FLWRCRTs; photo of received contents sent 8/2, explanation requested.
• [FLWRCRT POP Packaging] Andrew said he was tied up until Thursday and to expect the proposals end of week; nothing received yet.
• [General] Cannabis Creative Group intro call moved from Tuesday 11:30 EST to Thursday, 30 min between 1–3pm EST; confirmed by both sides.

• FLWRCRT ceramic samples never arrived (only a single Elektra unit shipped) — blocks Andrew's sample-driven investor conversation and the POP carton work; unresolved as of the last message.
• Tyson2.0 production art file receipt still unconfirmed after two requests — risks delaying the revised tooling and the Aug 26 payment milestone.
• Andrew's promised proposals slipped past end of week with no update.
• No movement again this week on the 510 spiral tube decision (10k vs 15k to DeForest WI), the distributor program assets, or the matchbook quotes/artwork — a growing backlog of stale open items on both sides.

• we owe Written confirmation of receipt of the Tyson2.0 art AI file (Case 7R4K8NA02) — Andrew chased twice
• we owe Explanation and correction of the FLWRCRT ceramic shipment — only one Elektra unit received, no FLWRCRTs (photo sent 8/2)
• we owe Invoice and confirmation of the 300-pc, both-size Cones Factory sample run for the 5 testing facilities
• they owe Kunal/Hamilton Farms to pick full payment vs 70/30 Net30 on the Tyson2.0 revised tooling order
• they owe Andrew's proposals promised for end of last week

Michelle sent comparative pricing screenshots for tea leaf wraps vs. their regular hemp wraps — tea leaf is significantly more expensive, but Cones Factory will bring it in against a minimum commitment of 250k units. Sample logistics were settled: we gave a ship-to address and Michelle's team is prepping tea leaf wrap samples, including both sizes. She pushed back on our 300 pcs request (tea leaf is costly; their norm is 10–20 pcs per spec format) and proposed sending the standard quantity first, then invoicing for 300 pcs if we like them — which we accepted. Tracking is promised shortly. Still outstanding on our side: Monarch's volume, specs and branding, which quoting depends on.

• [Monarch x Cones Factory] Michelle shared two pricing screenshots comparing tea leaf wraps against their standard hemp wraps — tea leaf is substantially more expensive
• [Monarch x Cones Factory] Cones Factory will source the tea leaf wrap but requires a minimum commitment of 250k units
• [Monarch x Cones Factory] Ship-to address provided; Michelle confirmed samples will go out and tracking will follow
• [Monarch x Cones Factory] Michelle declined free 300 pcs samples (standard is 10–20 pcs per spec format) and offered to send the typical quantity first, invoicing for 300 pcs afterwards if we want them — agreed
• [Monarch x Cones Factory] Samples will include both sizes

• Tea leaf wraps are materially more expensive than standard hemp wraps, which may not fit Monarch's target cost
• 250k minimum commitment for tea leaf may exceed Monarch's realistic volume
• Quoting remains blocked until we send Monarch's final volume, specs and branding
• 300 pcs of samples will be a paid, invoiced item rather than free

• they owe Tracking number / shipment confirmation for the tea leaf wrap samples
• we owe Feedback on tea leaf vs. hemp pricing and whether Monarch can meet the 250k minimum commitment
• we owe Monarch volume, spec requirements and branding needs so Michelle can quote

Cold-outreach thread with Cannabis Creative Group (CHAMP Digital) kicked off this week. Dan Serard, their Chief Revenue Officer, introduced himself as our main point of contact, shared their overview/portfolio deck, and asked for an intro call. After some back-and-forth on timing (he was OOO Friday and booked on our first suggestion), he offered Tuesday 11:30am-1pm or 3-5pm and the thread closed with a confirmed 'talk to you then.' No projects, quotes, or case work involved yet — this is purely a relationship/intro stage with an agency, and the next step is the call itself plus a calendar invite from Dan.

• Dan Serard (CRO, Cannabis Creative Group / CHAMP Digital) sent an intro email as our main point of contact and shared their Overview & Portfolio link
• Scheduling back-and-forth: Dan OOO Friday, unavailable at our first proposed slot; offered Tuesday 11:30am-1pm or 3-5pm
• Intro call time agreed at the end of the thread ('Sounds good, talk to you then'); Dan offered to send the calendar invite
• No case, product, quote, or pricing discussion yet in this relationship

• Relationship is at pure intro stage with no defined scope, budget, or project — value to us is still unproven
• Call time was confirmed conversationally; without the calendar invite landing there's a risk of a missed or double-booked slot

• they owe Calendar invite for the agreed Tuesday intro call

Quiet week — the only activity was a Google Calendar invitation from Dan Serard (Cannabis Creative Group / champdigital.com) for a "Monarch Packaging x Cannabis Creative Group" call on Tuesday, Jul 28, 2026, 11:30am–12:30pm EDT via Google Meet. Attendance is marked optional and no RSVP has been sent. No quotes, samples, artwork or production topics moved this week.

• Meeting invite received for "Monarch Packaging x Cannabis Creative Group" on Tue Jul 28, 2026, 11:30am–12:30pm EDT (Google Meet, organizer Dan Serard) — attendance listed as optional, no RSVP yet (no case identified).

• No agenda provided for the Jul 28 call and no active project thread in this chat — unclear what Cannabis Creative Group expects us to prepare.

• we owe RSVP to the Jul 28 meeting invite from Dan Serard (attendance optional, no reply sent)

The 84/26 unbranded tea-leaf mock-up moved from review to a sample order this week. After John's follow-ups, Andrew confirmed the client wants to test physical samples; John quoted a 3–4 week lead time (accepted) and Andrew requested ~200 pcs (approx. 40 per grow, soft number) for testing. John had the team approve the new SKU and generated order approval form CO-202696, which Custom Cones sent Wednesday 7/22 — it needs a written "Approved" reply from us before production starts, and post-approval changes carry a $150 fee. John also confirmed country of origin: wraps are made in Brazil, everything is rolled in Indonesia, which Andrew confirmed works for the client. Distributor-program items (collateral/standard terms, newsletter add, 5,000-unit tier and cartons-per-case pricing confirmation) saw no movement. Stephanie Douthitt is out of office 7/21–7/28.

• [Futurola Blunt Cone Alternative] John followed up twice (plus an automated reminder) on the 7/16 84/26 tea-leaf unbranded mock-up; we replied that the client wants physical samples and is eager to swap suppliers
• [Futurola Blunt Cone Alternative] Lead time for the 84/26 samples quoted at 3–4 weeks; we accepted
• [Futurola Blunt Cone Alternative] We requested ~200 pcs for testing (~40 per grow, not a hard number); John had the team approve the new SKU
• [Futurola Blunt Cone Alternative] Country of origin confirmed: wraps made in Brazil, rolling done in Indonesia — we confirmed this works for the client
• [Futurola Blunt Cone Alternative] Order approval form CO-202696 issued 7/22 for the 200-unit 84mm tea leaf sample run; requires reply of "Approved" before production; $150 change fee applies after approval
• [Admin] Stephanie Douthitt out of office 7/21–7/28; orders to be routed through John

• Production is blocked until we reply "Approved" to CO-202696; any change after approval triggers a $150 fee, so quantities/specs must be verified carefully now
• John flagged a system issue when generating the order approval form — the form details may not match what was discussed and need close review
• Client is eager to swap suppliers; 3–4 week sample lead time plus testing time could put the switch timeline at risk
• Distributor program items (collateral/terms, newsletter add, 5,000-unit tier and cartons-per-case pricing) have gone quiet for another week
• Stephanie out of office through 7/28 — single point of contact (John) for order processing

• we owe Written "Approved" reply on order approval form CO-202696 for the 200-unit 84mm/26mm tea leaf sample order
• they owe Distributor program collateral / standard terms, newsletter add, and confirmation that pricing applies to custom 84/26 length with a 5,000-unit tier and cartons per case

Gary re-engaged Monday 7/20 and we had a phone call that afternoon. Coming out of it, we asked for a dozen ceramic FLWRCRT samples, which Gary shipped same day USPS Priority Express to the Hazleton PA address (tracking 9470150206217001369087) — as of 7/26 they are sitting at the post office awaiting pickup. Gary also sent a detailed creative brief plus first-pass concept images for a universal branded tin intended to cover both D2C SKUs and the single empty B2B FLWRCRT sold through POP displays (ceramic and wood directions, plus a no-real-flower alternative using galaxies/embers/smoke imagery), along with locking insert, back panel and POP display concepts. He explicitly flagged an open regulatory question on whether real flower can be shown on-pack across states/retail channels and asked for our view on visual, structural and production direction. On 7/26 he chased for an ETA on our preliminary packaging proposal, saying two customers are ready to run pilots and he needs to back into a packaging timeline — and floated a limited domestic pilot packaging run to start testing while proper volume packaging is developed. The F&F SAFE thread remains the email subject line but no new terms moved; still $500K at a $5M post-money cap, 25% discount, $25K minimum.

• [Universal Tin Packaging] Phone call with Gary held Monday 7/20 ~3pm PST to align on packaging direction
• [Universal Tin Packaging] Gary sent creative brief + concept images: universal tin (ceramic and wood directions), no-real-flower alternative (galaxies/stars/embers/smoke), locking interior insert, back-of-tin info panel, and POP display featuring tins instead of Chubby Gorillas
• [Universal Tin Packaging] Stated B2B communication objectives: what FLWRCRT is, real flower (not oil/distillate), 510 battery compatibility, real smoke and not a vape
• [Universal Tin Packaging] Open regulatory question raised: whether depicting actual flower on packaging is acceptable across states and retail channels
• [Ceramic FLWRCRT Samples] We requested a dozen ceramic FLWRCRT samples; Gary shipped same day Priority Express to Monarch Packaging, 572 W Broad St PMB 147, Hazleton PA 18201 (tracking 9470150206217001369087)
• [Ceramic FLWRCRT Samples] As of 7/26 the parcel is being held at the post office for pickup — not yet collected
• [Colorado / Pilot Packaging] Gary reports two customers ready to run pilots and asked for ETA on our preliminary proposal so he can back into a packaging timeline
• [Colorado / Pilot Packaging] Gary proposed a limited domestic pilot packaging run to expedite testing while full-volume packaging is developed properly
• [F&F SAFE Round] Gary re-opened the investor thread with 'great news' and availability; terms unchanged ($500K F&F SAFE, $5M post-money cap, 25% discount, $25K minimum)

• Samples are sitting uncollected at the post office and may be missed before the China trip, delaying factory review
• Gary's 7/26 request for a proposal ETA is still unanswered — two pilot customers are waiting and the relationship pressure is building
• Regulatory/retailer uncertainty over depicting real flower on-pack could force a full creative redirect late in the process
• No quantities or launch dates from the client yet, so any quote or timeline remains speculative
• Split-track approach (domestic pilot packaging + overseas volume packaging) risks tooling/artwork rework and inconsistent presentation if not scoped carefully
• Investor/SAFE conversation is entangled with the commercial packaging work, which could complicate the vendor relationship

• we owe ETA and content of the preliminary packaging proposal, plus answer on whether a limited domestic pilot run is possible (Gary's 7/26 email is unanswered)
• we owe Feedback on the universal tin concepts and guidance on showing real flower on packaging
• we owe Written position on the F&F SAFE investor ask
• they owe Packaging quantities and target launch dates for the pilot customers

New client relationship with Franklin's (KCMO) moved from intro to sample stage. Ryan Hayes (VP of Operations) provided their shipping address (3043 Roanoke Rd, Kansas City, MO 64108) and annual volume estimates: 600–750k cones per year, split roughly 75% 84mm/26mm and 25% 109mm/26mm. Andrew confirmed the next step is getting samples into their hands for testing — no samples have shipped yet and no pricing has been quoted.

• [Franklin's Cones] Ryan Hayes shared Franklin's ship-to address: 3043 Roanoke Rd, Kansas City, MO 64108
• [Franklin's Cones] Annual volume estimate provided: 600–750k cones/yr, 84mm/26mm (75%) and 109mm/26mm (25%)
• [Franklin's Cones] Andrew confirmed plan to send samples to Franklin's for testing

• No pricing or supplier quote in motion yet — sample stage only, so timeline to an order is undefined
• Sample shipment has no committed date; delay could stall a 600–750k/yr opportunity

• we owe Sending cone samples to Franklin's Kansas City address, and follow-up pricing for the two SKUs

Big week on Tyson2.0: Luana formally approved the order on 7/20 — 3 cases / 13,500 units of the RED Tyson pouch shipping via SEA — and confirmed the 'live rosin' typo removal. Andrew turned around an updated digital art proof the same day, plus an invoice; a first invoice went out at 3:54pm with typos and was superseded at 4:03pm by a corrected packet (art proof + invoice + ACH payment info). We're now waiting on written art approval ("Approved as shown. Please proceed to production.") and a signed invoice before production kicks off. Separately, Kunal introduced Ryan at Franklin's on 7/22 to open the cone-sourcing project: we're pricing alternatives to the current expensive cones for both Bangers and Minis, noting the chamomile tea leaf material and comparable burn flavor. Andrew asked Ryan for sample shipping addresses and annual/projected cone volumes across all Franklin's states, and proposed a group call next week (Andrew is on EST in Toronto this week). Kunal is also pulling a vendor spec sheet. No movement on the 7pk/14pk carton [3X8K7Q] or the COA batch label samples.

• [7R4K8N] Luana confirmed the order on 7/20: proceed with 3 cases / 13,500 units of the RED Tyson pouch via SEA ocean freight
• [7R4K8N] Client confirmed the 'live rosin' typo is removed from the pouch art
• [7R4K8N] Andrew sent an updated digital art proof reflecting the agreed adjustments, with a one-line approval script for the client to reply with
• [7R4K8N] First invoice email (3:54pm) retracted due to typos; corrected packet re-sent at 4:03pm with art proof, invoice, and ACH payment information
• [7R4K8N] Awaiting client's written art approval and signed invoice copy before production release
• [Franklin's Cones] Kunal Lodaya introduced Ryan (Franklin's) on 7/22 to kick off the cone sourcing project; Mike deliberately left off the thread for now
• [Franklin's Cones] Scope confirmed as alternatives to both Bangers and Minis, matching chamomile tea leaf material and similar burn flavor, driven by current cones being expensive
• [Franklin's Cones] Andrew requested sample shipping addresses and annual cone quantities/projections across all states Franklin's operates in, ahead of sample development and pricing
• [Franklin's Cones] Kunal is having a vendor send over a spec sheet; group call proposed for next week (Andrew on EST in Toronto)

• Production cannot start until the client returns written art approval and a signed invoice — any delay pushes the SEA freight timeline out further
• Two invoices went out within 10 minutes and the first had typos; risk of the client signing or paying against the voided version
• No pricing possible on Franklin's cones until Ryan supplies annual volumes; sample development is also blocked without shipping addresses
• Mike is intentionally off the Franklin's thread — decision-maker coverage on their side is unclear
• Carton project [3X8K7Q] has now been silent since 6/29 with no concept feedback and no void-fill decision
• COA batch label samples remain blocked on our side for a mailing address

• they owe Written approval of the Tyson2.0 art proof and a signed copy of the corrected invoice (plus ACH payment) — production is on hold until received
• they owe Ryan's sample shipping addresses and annual/projected cone volumes for Franklin's
• they owe Vendor spec sheet Kunal is having sent over for alternative cones
• we owe Proposing a specific time for next week's Franklin's cone call
• we owe Mailing address for the COA batch label samples — still outstanding, blocking Franco/Luana's shipment
• they owe Carton concept feedback and the 7pk spacer vs. matchbook void-fill decision [3X8K7Q] — silent since 6/29

Busy inbound week from Andrew (all activity driven from his side). On Custom Cones USA, the mock-up was approved (CO-202696), Andrew accepted a 3–4 week lead time and asked for ~200 pcs (approx. 40 per grow) so his client — who is eager to swap suppliers — can test; he also asked for country of origin on the wraps and, still unanswered, whether they are chamomile tea leaf wraps. On Cones Factory, Andrew clarified the target is matching Futurola non-tobacco blunt cones in 109/26 and 84/26 (tea-leaf wrap, per the Futurola 1Q 84/26 SKU), confirmed there are no performance complaints so the pitch is supplier-switch rather than alternative material, and on 7/23 came back with estimated annual volume of 900k cones (600k of 84/26, 300k of 109/26); an intro call with Michelle is to be set after his travel. FLWRCRT moved forward with phone calls Monday/Wednesday and a request for a dozen ceramic FLWRCRT samples to be shipped to 572 W Broad St, PMB 147, Hazleton PA 18201. Maryland Match matchbook art is promised "in a couple of days". Andrew also reconnected with Dan Serard at Cannabis Creative Group and locked a Tuesday 11:30 EST intro call. No movement on 510 spiral tubes, FLWRCRT logo files, or the distributor program. Andrew is travelling next week.

• [Monarch Pkg x Custom Cones] Mock-up completed and approved by Andrew (CO-202696); client wants to test samples ASAP as they are eager to swap suppliers.
• [Monarch Pkg x Custom Cones] 3–4 week lead time accepted; Andrew requested ~200 pcs for testing (approx. 40 per grow, soft number).
• [Monarch Pkg x Custom Cones] Andrew asked for country of origin of the wraps (answered) and then asked whether they are chamomile tea leaf wraps — still unanswered.
• [Monarch x Cones Factory] Andrew specified the targets are Futurola non-tobacco blunt cones 109/26 and 84/26, tea-leaf wrap, and asked whether Cones Factory offers that material.
• [Monarch x Cones Factory] Andrew confirmed the client has no performance complaints — objective is to pitch a different supplier, not alternative materials; he wants to present 2 options and already has an 84/26 sample in development (not yet with client).
• [Monarch x Cones Factory] Estimated annual volume provided 7/23: 900k cones total — 600k of 84/26 and 300k of 109/26.
• [Monarch x Cones Factory] Andrew proposed an intro call with Michelle; he is travelling the coming week.
• [FLWRCRT POP Packaging] Andrew asked for phone calls Monday and Wednesday on the F&F investor overview and said he has material to share back; noted he won't receive something before travelling.
• [FLWRCRT POP Packaging] Andrew requested a dozen ceramic FLWRCRT samples shipped to MONARCH PACKAGING Ltd, 572 W Broad St PMB 147, Hazleton PA 18201.
• [Monarch Custom Matchbook (Maryland Match)] Andrew told Jeff the sample art file will be sent in a couple of days.
• New business development: Andrew reconnected with Dan Serard (Cannabis Creative Group) as a potential creative partner; intro call confirmed for Tuesday 11:30 EST.
• No messages this week on 510 spiral tubes, the distributor program, COA batch label samples, or the FLWRCRT logo files.

• Andrew is travelling the coming week — expect slow responses and slipped follow-ups on cones, matchbook art and FLWRCRT.
• Final matchbook artwork has now been promised repeatedly ('a couple of days') and is still holding the Maryland Match quote and sample decision.
• Unanswered material/origin questions (chamomile tea leaf) could delay the client's test-sample approval — the client is actively evaluating a supplier swap and speed matters.
• Cones Factory volumes are still 'estimated' — the client hasn't finalised projections, so the 900k figure may move and pricing built on it could need rework.
• 510 spiral tubes (10k/15k to DeForest WI) has had no client decision for multiple weeks; the 66k-unit Spiral Tubes RFQ remains dormant.
• FLWRCRT POP carton engineering is still blocked on final logo files with no movement this week.

• we owe Whether the approved CO-202696 wraps are chamomile tea leaf
• we owe Production/ship date for the ~200 pc Custom Cones test samples
• we owe Cones Factory tea-leaf wrap availability and pricing at 900k cones/yr, plus a call slot
• we owe Shipping a dozen ceramic FLWRCRT samples to Hazleton PA
• they owe Matchbook sample art file promised 'in a couple of days'
• they owe Client decision on 510 spiral tubes (10k vs 15k to DeForest WI) — still silent
• they owe Final FLWRCRT logo files for POP carton engineering

Michelle at The Cones Factory clarified spec details for the Monarch blunt cones project: their specs match Futurola's except the hemp wrap, which is a smooth natural brown (no lines) unlike the photo we sent — she linked their brown hemp wrap collection. The tobacco-style/original paper we asked about was discontinued because clients migrated to hemp wraps that run better in automated filling machines, but she'll bring it back for our order depending on quantity, and is checking with her procurement team to confirm. Everything is still gated on us: no quote can be issued until we send final volumes, specs, and branding. No pricing, samples, or documents moved this week.

• [Monarch x Cones Factory — blunt cones] Michelle confirmed she can only issue an accurate quote once we send final numbers (volume/specs)
• [Monarch x Cones Factory — blunt cones] Clarified their hemp wrap does not have the lines shown in the photo we sent; shared link to their natural brown hemp wrap collection
• [Monarch x Cones Factory — blunt cones] Confirmed their specs otherwise match Futurola, with the hemp wrap look being the only difference
• [Monarch x Cones Factory — blunt cones] The alternative paper we asked about was phased out (clients moved to hemp wraps for better burn and consistency in automated filling machines), but can be re-sourced for our order subject to quantity
• [Monarch x Cones Factory — blunt cones] Michelle is checking with her procurement team on bringing that paper back and will revert

• Quote and samples remain blocked on us providing volume/spec/branding — the request has now been outstanding for multiple weeks
• Wrap appearance differs from the reference photo shared with Monarch, which could cause a client-side spec mismatch
• The preferred paper is discontinued and may only be re-sourced at a high minimum quantity, potentially forcing a material change or price impact

• we owe Final volumes, specifications and branding details for the Monarch blunt cones so Michelle can issue an accurate quote
• we owe Confirming whether Monarch accepts the natural brown hemp wrap appearance (no lines) or requires the discontinued paper
• they owe Procurement's answer on whether the discontinued paper can be brought back in and the qty required

Custom Cones USA came off a quiet stretch and moved on both fronts. John Arriola confirmed the sample shipment went out — the variety pack plus the 36 tea-leaf blunt cones — under UPS tracking 1Z1G486V0317810699, with the understanding that if the 36 aren't adequate we can order a single full box in final packaging. He also sent distributor tiered pricing for the 84mm tea leaf: $0.33 at 10,000, $0.29 at 20,000, $0.24 at 100,000 — but no 5,000-unit tier and no confirmation on the 400 cones/carton question. Andrew pushed to get samples of the 84/26 (Futurola-matching) size into the testing round; John said he needs to create a new SKU and would follow up with mock-ups. On 7/16 the mock-up landed: reference K2R1-Mock-Up-0715264828-84mm_26mm – Tea Leaf – unbranded, delivered via SharePoint with a catalog link, and flagged [Action Required] — they're waiting on our feedback, revisions, or a green light to enter the production cycle. Distributor program collateral and the newsletter add are still outstanding.

• [Futurola Blunt Cone Alternative] Samples shipped: variety pack + 36 tea-leaf blunt cones, UPS 1Z1G486V0317810699
• [Futurola Blunt Cone Alternative] John: if the 36 samples don't suffice, we can move to a single full box in final retail packaging
• [Custom Cones USA Distributor Program] Distributor tiered pricing for 84mm tea leaf received: 10,000 = $0.33, 20,000 = $0.29, 100,000 = $0.24
• [Futurola Blunt Cone Alternative] Pricing did not address the 5,000-unit MOQ tier or whether custom cones follow 400 cones/carton
• [Futurola Blunt Cone Alternative] We asked what's needed to get 84/26 samples moving and to include that size in testing; John must create a new SKU
• [Futurola Blunt Cone Alternative] Mock-up completed 7/16 — ref K2R1-Mock-Up-0715264828-84mm_26mm - Tea Leaf - unbranded, shared via SharePoint with catalog link; marked Action Required pending our review/revisions or production go-ahead

• Quoted tiers start at 10,000 units — no price for the 5,000-unit MOQ and no confirmation the quote covers the custom 84/26 length rather than stock 84mm
• Carton configuration (400 cones/carton) still unconfirmed, which affects landed cost and client quoting
• Distributor program collateral (id 97) and newsletter add (id 99) have gone multiple weeks without delivery
• Mock-up is flagged Action Required — delay on our review pushes back the production cycle start

• we owe Feedback or approval on the 84/26 unbranded tea-leaf mock-up (Action Required email of 7/16)
• they owe Distributor program collateral / standard terms, newsletter add, 84/26 sample SKU, and pricing clarification (5,000 tier + cartons per case)

Quiet week on the actual packaging projects — all admin and a new side request. We chased Hamilton Farms for the NJ Resale Certificate (ST-3) after accounting rejected the ST-4 they'd sent; Luana returned the completed ST-3 the same day (7/13) and, when we flagged the "blanket certificate" box was unchecked, gave written permission on 7/14 for us to check it, so the certificate now covers all future POs. Separately, Luana responded to our COA batch label samples request: Franco will compile the labels and she'll try to include printed ones, but she's waiting on us for a mailing address — that reply is still outstanding. No movement at all on the Tyson2.0 pouch quote (Q-7R4K8NA01_v1), the updated pouch artwork, the 7pk/14pk carton concept feedback, the spacer-vs-matchbook decision, or the onsite visit dates — now a second straight week of silence on all of them, and our own 7/6 call recap still hasn't gone out.

• [Admin/Tax] Andrew requested the NJ Resale Certificate (ST-3) on 7/13, noting the previously supplied ST-4 was rejected by accounting; ST-3 covers packaging incorporated into the finished retail product.
• [Admin/Tax] Luana returned the completed ST-3 the same day (7/13).
• [Admin/Tax] Blanket certificate box was unchecked; Luana gave written permission on 7/14 for Monarch to check it, making the certificate apply to all future POs.
• [COA Batch Label Samples] Luana confirmed Franco will compile the COA batch labels and she'll try to send printed copies — she asked where to mail them; no reply from us yet.
• [Tyson2.0 7R4K8N] No response on quote Q-7R4K8NA01_v1 or the updated pouch artwork this week.
• [Carton 3X8K7Q] No concept art feedback and no spacer vs. matchbook decision this week.
• [General] Our written recap of the 7/6 call (pouch art, onsite visit, Franklin's Futurolas) still not sent.

• Second consecutive week of no response on the Tyson2.0 quote Q-7R4K8NA01_v1 and updated pouch artwork — quote pricing and lead times may go stale.
• Carton project 3X8K7Q remains stalled in practice: no concept feedback or spacer/matchbook decision since 6/29.
• Onsite visit dates still unconfirmed, and our own 7/6 call recap remains unsent, leaving verbal commitments undocumented.
• COA label samples can't ship until we send a mailing address — a one-line reply is holding up the request.

• we owe Mailing address for the printed COA batch label samples (Luana's 7/13 question, still unanswered)
• we owe Written recap of the 7/6 call covering pouch art, onsite visit, and Franklin's Futurolas
• they owe Response to Tyson2.0 pouch quote Q-7R4K8NA01_v1 and the updated pouch artwork
• they owe Carton concept art feedback and the 7pk void fill decision (spacer vs. matchbook)
• they owe Confirmed dates for the TBD onsite visit

Maryland Match (Jeff Ponton) came back on the custom matchbook after ownership/factory review: the factory can only produce 1 row of 7 stems — the requested 2 rows of 7 (14 stems) at 68x50mm is not feasible. Jeff offered to quote pricing if we still want to proceed. On samples, there is no stock (custom production), a sample must be produced at a cost, and no physical sample with match stems can be shipped due to customs regulations — the factory would only send a photo for review. Sample cost depends on the art file, so Jeff asked twice (7/14 and 7/16) for an art file of the cover and stems to forward to the factory. Andrew asked whether plain white samples could be made; that was effectively answered by the art-file requirement. No pricing, lead times, or MOQ confirmation has been received yet, and the ball is with us on artwork and on deciding whether the 7-stem single-row layout works.

• Custom Matchbook: Factory confirmed feasibility of only 1 row of 7 stems; 2 rows / 14 stems cannot be produced (7/14)
• Custom Matchbook: Jeff offered a pricing quote if we want to proceed with the revised 7-stem configuration — no prices or lead times given yet
• Custom Matchbook: No stock samples exist; a sample must be custom-produced at a cost, and no physical sample with match stems can be shipped due to customs rules — review would be by photo only
• Custom Matchbook: Andrew asked if white (unprinted) samples could be produced; Jeff responded that sample cost is based on the art file and requested an art file of cover and stems (7/16)
• MDM Branding promo products: Jeff again pushed his request to be added to our bid list for imprinted promotional items (signature announcement) — still no response from us

• Spec conflict: the requested 14-stem, 2-row matchbook cannot be manufactured — the design may need to be reworked to 7 stems, which could fail the end client's intent
• No physical sample with match stems can be shipped (customs restriction) — approval would rest on a photo only, raising the risk of quality surprises at production
• Sample costing and all pricing are blocked on our artwork, which is still in development — schedule slipping since the 7/6 initial inquiry
• Still no pricing, lead time or firm MOQ from Maryland Match after two weeks of back-and-forth
• Repeated unanswered bid-list request from Jeff could sour the relationship on a supplier we're courting for long-term business

• we owe Send Jeff the art file for the matchbook cover and stems so the factory can price a sample (asked 7/14 and again 7/16)
• we owe Confirm whether the 1-row 7-stem layout is acceptable and whether to request a formal pricing quote
• we owe Response to Jeff's standing request to add MDM Branding to our promotional-products bid list

Quiet week on our side — every message came from Andrew at Monarch, and nothing was answered in writing by us. Andrew opened a new thread with Michelle at Cones Factory (reintroducing himself post-Budder Creative) asking about their distributor/partnership programs and, more urgently, whether Cones Factory can match Futurola blunt cone SKUs on geometry and material in both 109/26 and 84/26 for a client evaluating alternatives. On the existing Custom Cones thread he pushed to get 84/26 samples moving ("let me know what you need") and asked that they be added to the testing procedures; John replied and Andrew acknowledged. On matches, after Jeff's note he asked whether white matchbook samples can be produced. Finally, he opened a COA batch label request to Lu: 3–4 printed samples per SKU/label variant across Hamilton Farms, Phenos, Tyson 2.0, Franklin's and GO2 (misprints/voided fine), plus a compiled digital folder of files/dielines; Lu agreed, and Andrew confirmed shipping to MONARCH PACKAGING LTD, 572 W Broad St, PMB 147, Hazleton PA 18201, with digital assets as a zip or G-drive link. Still no Monarch decision on the 510 spiral tubes (10k vs 15k, DeForest WI), no final FLWRCRT logo files, and no final matchbook artwork.

• [Monarch x Cones Factory] Andrew introduced Monarch Packaging to Michelle at Cones Factory, asking about distributor programs/partnership opportunities and whether they can beat Futurola blunt cones — matching geometry and material for both 109/26 and 84/26.
• [Monarch Pkg x Custom Cones] Andrew asked what's needed to get 84/26 blunt cone samples in motion and requested they be included in the testing procedures; John replied and Andrew acknowledged ("Sounds good").
• [Monarch Custom Matchbook (Maryland Match)] After Jeff's update, Andrew asked whether white matchbook samples can be produced.
• [COA Batch Label Samples - MonarchPKG] New request to Lu for 3–4 physical samples per SKU/label variant of COA batch labels across Hamilton Farms, Phenos, Tyson 2.0, Franklin's and GO2 — misprints/voided/outdated acceptable, blank cut-to-size stock as fallback — plus a compiled digital folder of files/dielines.
• [COA Batch Label Samples - MonarchPKG] Andrew confirmed ship-to: Monarch Packaging Ltd, 572 W Broad St, PMB 147, Hazleton, PA 18201; digital assets via zip or G-drive link.
• No movement from Monarch this week on the 510 spiral tube 10k/15k decision, the FLWRCRT logo files, or final matchbook artwork.

• Andrew is simultaneously sourcing Futurola-equivalent blunt cones from Cones Factory while the Custom Cones sample/pricing work is still open — competing supplier path if we stay slow.
• Multiple open asks on us (tiered pricing, 84 vs 86mm spec, sample shipment, matchbook quote, white samples) with no replies sent this week; response backlog is growing across four threads.
• Still no Monarch decision on the 510 spiral tubes (10k/15k, DeForest WI) — quote is aging.
• FLWRCRT POP carton engineering remains blocked on final logo files with no update this week.
• Matchbook quoting cannot finalize without Monarch's final artwork.

• we owe Reply to Andrew's Cones Factory inquiry — distributor program and a Futurola-matching 109/26 and 84/26 blunt cone solution
• we owe Whether white matchbook samples can be produced (Maryland Match)
• we owe COA batch label samples shipment to Hazleton PA plus digital file/dieline archive
• we owe Tiered blunt cone pricing (10k/20k/100k) and the 84 vs 86mm length clarification
• they owe Monarch's client decision on 510 spiral tubes (10k vs 15k to DeForest WI)
• they owe Final FLWRCRT logo files for POP carton engineering and feedback on the F&F investor overview
• they owe Final matchbook artwork

Michelle Wong (CEO, The Cones Factory) replied to our intro about sourcing blunt cone alternatives for client Monarch. She confirmed they can match Futurola's blunts and will provide pricing plus review samples once we share the client's volume, spec requirements, and branding needs. She also outlined their distribution program: pricing is based on a committed annual quantity that can be mixed and matched across SKUs, with the possibility of domestic storage. No pricing, samples, or specs have been exchanged yet — the ball is entirely on our side to supply volume and spec details.

• [Monarch blunt cones] Michelle Wong confirmed The Cones Factory can match Futurola blunts for our client Monarch
• [Monarch blunt cones] Pricing and samples offered contingent on us providing volume, spec requirements, and branding needs
• [Monarch blunt cones] Distribution program explained: committed annual quantity, mix-and-match SKUs for lowest pricing, possible domestic storage
• [Monarch blunt cones] No quote, sample, or price point issued yet — relationship still at intro stage

• No client volume or spec information available yet — pricing, samples, and the distribution program are all blocked until we supply it.
• Best pricing requires a committed annual quantity across SKUs; if Monarch's volume is small or uncommitted, cost may not be competitive with Futurola.
• Relationship is brand new with no quote or sample benchmark yet — claim that they can 'match Futurola blunts' is unverified until samples are reviewed.

• we owe Monarch's volume, spec requirements, and branding needs, plus a ballpark annual volume for the distribution/committed-qty program

Movement was all on the tea-leaf blunt/Futurola alternative track. Andrew pushed on sample status (photos aren't reliable for color matching) and John confirmed he has entered a sample request — a variety pack including custom crutch examples to show brandability, with 36 (3 dozen) tea-leaf blunt cones going to the Monarch Packaging Ltd. address in Hazleton, PA. John cautioned the 36 loose units won't arrive in final packaging and recommends buying 1 full box if we want complete testing. On sizing, Andrew asked for 86mm (up from the 84mm previously discussed); John confirmed Custom Cones can produce the custom measurement — 5–6 weeks unbranded, 6–8 weeks branded — with a 5,000-unit MOQ for custom lengths. No pricing was quoted for the custom length, and the distributor program collateral John promised two weeks ago still hasn't arrived.

• [Futurola Blunt Cone Alternative] John entered a sample request: variety pack plus 36 (3 dozen) tea-leaf blunt cones, per Andrew's ask for enough volume for client R&D/testing
• [Futurola Blunt Cone Alternative] Andrew asked that samples include various custom crutch examples to demonstrate brandability
• [Futurola Blunt Cone Alternative] John flagged that the 36 loose samples will not come in final packaging and recommended purchasing 1 full box for full testing
• [Futurola Blunt Cone Alternative] Custom 86mm length confirmed as producible: 5–6 weeks unbranded, 6–8 weeks branded
• [Futurola Blunt Cone Alternative] MOQ for custom lengths confirmed at 5,000 units
• [Futurola Blunt Cone Alternative] Andrew noted photos are not reliable for color matching vs. the Futurola reference, so physical samples are the gate
• [Custom Cones USA Distributor Program] Correspondence/ship-to address formally set as MONARCH PACKAGING Ltd., 572 W Broad St PMB 147, Hazleton, PA 18201; no distributor collateral received this week

• 5,000-unit MOQ on custom lengths may be too high for the client's initial R&D/launch volume
• 6–8 week branded lead time could miss client timelines if they commit late
• The 36 samples ship loose without final packaging, so packaging-level validation will require a paid box purchase and extra time
• Distributor program collateral/terms still outstanding after two weeks of asking — program remains verbal only
• Size target has shifted from 84mm to 86mm; needs to be locked before quoting or tooling to avoid rework
• Color match to Futurola is unverified until physical samples arrive — photos already proved unreliable

• they owe Shipment and tracking for the 36 tea-leaf blunt samples / variety pack with custom crutches
• they owe Distributor program collateral and standard terms (requested June 30, still not sent)
• they owe Price quote for custom 86mm blunt cones at 5,000 MOQ (branded and unbranded)
• we owe Reply to John on whether we'll buy 1 full box for full packaging-level testing

First substantive week with The Match Group (Joe Danon, President). Joe laid out reseller terms: no fixed reseller price list (pricing moves with USD/EUR FX), but a courtesy reseller discount of up to 10%; MOQ 1,000 pieces with price breaks at 2,500 / 5,000 / 10,000 / 20,000; typical lead time 6-8 weeks after proof approval; vector art required on their templates. He also confirmed account protection — any client repeat orders placed direct will be redirected back to Monarch. We sent a mockup for a new matchbook; Joe identified the closest stock styles as the OKO 14 (14-strike flattened grey/black cardboard stem) and, if we want double-sided printed Retro Feature stems, the DUO 12, and sent templates for both. He forwarded our requested specs to the factory for a custom-made version, and on 7/8 came back asking us to confirm estimated order quantity and whether the stems are custom-printed Feature Stems (text/line art) or plain black cardboard. That answer is the current blocker on the factory quote — no pricing yet.

• [Reseller terms] TMG declined a preset reseller price list (FX-dependent costing) but offered a courtesy reseller discount of up to 10%.
• [Reseller terms] MOQ confirmed at 1,000 pcs for most matchbooks/matchboxes, with price breaks at 2,500, 5,000, 10,000 and 20,000.
• [Reseller terms] Lead time quoted at 6-8 weeks after proof approval; vector art must be set up on TMG templates.
• [Reseller terms] TMG committed to account protection — client repeat orders will be directed back to Monarch.
• [Custom Matchbook] We sent a mockup for a new matchbook; Joe matched it to the OKO 14 (14-strike flattened grey/black cardboard stem) and noted Retro Feature double-sided printed stems are only available on the DUO 12.
• [Custom Matchbook] Joe sent OKO 14 and DUO 12 templates.
• [Custom Matchbook] Our requested specs were forwarded to the factory for a custom size/style build; awaiting factory response.
• [Custom Matchbook] Joe requested confirmation of estimated order qty and stem type (custom printed Feature Stems with text/line art vs plain black cardboard) before the factory can price it.

• Factory quote is stalled until we supply estimated qty and stem specification — every day of delay pushes the 6-8 week lead time out.
• Custom size/style is non-standard, so cost and feasibility are unknown and likely above catalogue styles.
• Pricing is FX-dependent (USD/EUR), so quotes may not hold if the client takes time to decide.
• Retro Feature double-sided printed stems are not available on the OKO 14 — if the client's mockup relies on printed stems we may have to switch to the DUO 12 and rework artwork/size.

• we owe Confirming estimated order quantity and stem type (printed Feature Stems vs plain black cardboard) for the custom matchbook — Joe's 7/8 question is unanswered.
• they owe Factory response on the custom matchbook specs and resulting pricing.

Quiet week on deliverables — the only movement was scheduling. Kunal asked to move Monday's 2:00pm call 30 minutes earlier and accepted the rescheduled 1:30–1:45pm EDT slot on 7/6. The agenda covered a TBD onsite visit, Tyson 2.0 PR pouch art updates, Franklin's Futurolas custom work, and Franklin's supply chain metrics. No written response landed on the Tyson2.0 quote Q-7R4K8NA01_v1 (3 cases @ 4,500 units/case, plus 5-case alternative) and no design feedback or spacer-vs-matchbook decision came in on the 7pk/14pk carton, so both remain where they were at the end of last week.

• [Scheduling] Kunal asked to pull Monday's Andrew call 30 minutes earlier; rescheduled to 1:30–1:45pm EDT 7/6 and accepted.
• [7R4K8N] Call agenda included Tyson 2.0 PR pouch art updates — quote Q-7R4K8NA01_v1 still has no written response in the thread.
• [3X8K7Q] No carton concept feedback and no spacer vs. matchbook decision received this week.
• [New] Agenda references a TBD onsite visit and a Franklin's Futurolas custom project plus Franklin's supply chain metrics — potential new workstreams not yet detailed in writing.

• Tyson2.0 quote response was promised for Monday 7/6 but nothing came in writing — order timing is slipping with no confirmed decision.
• Carton project 3X8K7Q has now gone a second week with no client feedback; risk of stalling entirely.
• Key discussion happened on a 15-minute call with no written record — decisions on pouch art, onsite visit and Franklin's Futurolas are undocumented and could be disputed later.
• New workstreams (Franklin's Futurolas, supply chain metrics, onsite visit) are surfacing verbally without defined scope.

• they owe Written response to Tyson2.0 pouch quote Q-7R4K8NA01_v1 (3-case vs. 5-case option) — promised for Monday 7/6 but not received in the thread
• they owe Design feedback on 7pk/14pk carton concept renders and the spacer vs. matchbook void-fill decision
• we owe Written follow-up/recap of the 7/6 call, including next steps on pouch art, onsite visit and Franklin's Futurolas

Opened a new supplier relationship with Maryland Match (MDM Branding) on a custom matchbook program. After a phone call, Andrew emailed Jeff Ponton on 7/6 with the target spec: 68mm x 50mm matchbook, 2 rows of 7 stems (14 total), with a drawing attached, and asked for feasibility, lead times, and costing. Noted from the call: development feasibility is volume-driven, multiple matchstick lengths/customization options exist, and MOQs start around 2,500 units. Jeff replied 7/7 that he escalated the proposal to ownership, who are reviewing it with their factory, and promised to come back with their decision later in the week. Artwork on our side is still in development. No pricing, lead time, or sample commitment yet.

• [Custom Matchbook] Andrew sent formal spec on 7/6: 68mm x 50mm matchbook, 2 rows of 7 stems (14 stems total), plus a reference drawing.
• [Custom Matchbook] Confirmed call takeaways: development feasibility depends on volume, multiple matchstick lengths/customization options available, MOQ starts around 2,500 units.
• [Custom Matchbook] Requested feasibility of production, lead times, and costs from Maryland Match.
• [Custom Matchbook] Jeff Ponton forwarded the proposal to ownership on 7/7; ownership is discussing it with their factory and will respond with a decision later this week.
• [Custom Matchbook] Our artwork is still in development and has not been sent.
• Jeff flagged that MDM Branding is expanding into general imprinted promotional products and asked to be added to our bid list.

• Project is gated on a go/no-go decision from Maryland Match ownership and their factory — they could decline the custom development entirely.
• No pricing, lead time, or sample timeline established yet; program is at the earliest feasibility stage.
• Artwork is still in development on our side, which could delay quoting once the factory responds.
• MOQ around 2,500 units and volume-based development feasibility may not match our target order size.

• they owe Ownership/factory decision on the custom matchbook, plus feasibility, lead times and costs — promised by end of the week of 7/6.
• we owe Sending finished artwork and replying to Jeff's request to be added to our promotional-products bid list.

Andrew at Monarch drove two tracks hard this week. On Custom Cones, he pushed past photos ("not reliable references for color") to physical testing: after asking for 3 dozen, he accepted John's recommendation and confirmed 1 full retail box plus a variety pack, and asked that custom crutch examples be included to show brandability. He confirmed the 5,000-unit MOQ for custom lengths is acceptable, noted lead times (6-8 wks branded / 5-6 wks unbranded), asked about 86mm, and then sent a Futurola tobacco-free blunt cone link (84/26) requesting tiered pricing at 10k / 20k / 100k, with a note on whether custom lengths still pack 400 cones/carton. He also attached Monarch's Wholesaler Certificate. On matches, he ran the same brief to both Jeff (Maryland Match, after a phone call) and Joe (Strike Matches): a custom matchbook at 68mm x 50mm, 2 rows of 7 stems (14 total), art still in development, asking for feasibility, lead times and costs; to Strike he clarified the products would be modified and kitted into a carton. No movement on FLWRCRT, the 510 spiral tubes decision, or the distributor partnership call.

• [Custom Cones] Andrew said photos aren't reliable for color matching and asked for a few dozen physical samples for client R&D/testing (7/6).
• [Custom Cones] Requested custom crutch samples be included in the sample pack to showcase brandability.
• [Custom Cones] Asked whether 86mm custom lengths are possible; we confirmed yes at 6-8 wks branded / 5-6 wks unbranded, which Andrew noted.
• [Custom Cones] After we recommended 1 full box over 36 loose cones for true testing, Andrew agreed: 1 box preferred, plus the variety pack sample request.
• [Custom Cones] Custom-length MOQ confirmed at 5,000 units; Andrew states the MOQ will be met.
• [Custom Cones] Andrew sent a Futurola Standard 1Q 84/26 tobacco-free blunt cone link and requested tiered pricing at 10k / 20k / 100k for a matching custom length, asking whether 400 cones/carton still applies.
• [Custom Cones] Monarch's Wholesaler Certificate attached 7/8 for account/admin setup.
• [Match Group] Andrew confirmed he reviewed the links, noted the 6-8 week lead time, the reseller/distributor policy and customization options.
• [Match Group] Custom matchbook spec shared: 68mm x 50mm, 2 rows of 7 stems (14 stems), art in development; requests feasibility, lead times and costs.
• [Match Group] Andrew clarified to Joe (Strike Matches) that the products would be modified so they can be kitted into a carton, and asked for feasibility.
• [Custom Matchbook] Phone call held with Jeff (Maryland Match); MOQ ~2,500 and matchstick length/customization options noted; same 68x50mm / 14-stem drawing sent for quoting.

• Length spec conflict: Andrew asked for 86mm but referenced a Futurola 84/26 cone as the match target — quoting the wrong length wastes a cycle.
• Matchbook artwork is still 'in development', so any quote and lead time remains provisional.
• The same matchbook brief is running in parallel through Maryland Match (Jeff) and Strike Matches (Joe); uncoordinated replies could produce conflicting pricing to the same client.
• Client R&D on the cones is gated on samples that have not shipped yet — Andrew has stressed photos are not usable for color evaluation.
• No response this week on the 510 spiral tube 10k/15k decision, the FLWRCRT logo files, the F&F investor overview, or scheduling the distributor partnership call — four items now going quiet.

• we owe Tiered pricing (10k/20k/100k) for the custom-length blunt cone matching the Futurola 84/26 tobacco-free cone, plus carton pack-count confirmation
• we owe Shipping the variety pack + 1 full box of cone samples (with custom crutch examples) to Monarch for client R&D
• we owe Feasibility, lead time and cost for the 68x50mm / 14-stem custom matchbook — from both Maryland Match (Jeff) and Strike Matches (Joe)
• we owe Acknowledging/processing the Wholesaler Certificate and confirming any further admin documents needed
• they owe Final matchbook artwork once development is complete
• they owe Client decision on 510 spiral tubes (10k vs 15k to DeForest WI) and final FLWRCRT logo files — still silent

Light week, mostly housekeeping. Andrew connected with Tariq by phone on Jun 30 and immediately followed up by emailing Monarch's PA sales tax/resale certificate, clearing the last open document on the account setup. Tariq replied the same evening with a Dropbox link to Chubby Gorilla's full Sales + Media Kit library (label guides, product dimensions, marketing materials, torque recommendations). No concrete Master Distributor pricing tiers or program terms have been shared yet, and no movement on the WI 510 spiral tube freight decision (25 cases / 10k units, $364 Daylight vs $355 FedEx Ground) — that decision is still ours to make.

• Distributor Partner Program: phone call with Tariq took place on/around Jun 30, unblocking the conversation he wanted before sharing details.
• Distributor Partner Program: Tariq sent a Dropbox link to the Chubby Gorilla Sales + Media Kit library (label guides, product dimensions, marketing materials, torque recommendations) — but no Master Distributor pricing tiers or program requirements yet.
• Account setup: Andrew emailed the PA sales tax license/resale certificate on Jun 30; Tariq did not flag anything further as missing.
• CGSC1-510R WI order: no messages this week — freight carrier/quantity decision still outstanding on our side.

• Distributor program still has no concrete pricing — without Master Distributor tiers we remain unable to match CannaZip-level pricing that already cost us the 66k-unit NJ order.
• WI 510 tube order freight decision has been sitting unanswered for multiple weeks, delaying shipment.

• they owe Master Distributor pricing tiers and distributor program requirements/paperwork — only marketing collateral shared so far
• we owe Freight decision on the WI 510 spiral tube order (quantity plus Daylight $364 vs FedEx Ground $355)

Reopened the Custom Cones USA relationship under Monarch Packaging. Andrew reintroduced himself on 6/29 and John Arriola (VP BizDev) came back same day with distributor terms: dropship stock cones at a blanket $0.058/cone, and 10–15% margin on custom branded cones with a 1,600-unit MOQ. For the client shopping alternatives to Futurola 84x26mm blunt cones, John pointed to their 109mm x 26mm tea-leaf pre-rolled blunt (800/case, cheaper than Futurola) and an 84mm hybrid green hemp wrap (900/box); Andrew flagged the hybrid wrap as a different material and asked for something matching the Futurola reference, plus the 84mm size alongside the 109mm. On 7/2 John confirmed the tea-leaf blunt uses the same paper as Futurola, clarified that his earlier 'offers' meant samples (not just marketing emails), and offered to send samples plus product photos — proposing to start with cones, blunts and pop-top tubes. No formal distributor program document has been shared yet. Ball is in our court to confirm the photo/sample scope.

• [Distributor Program] John offered dropship of stock cones at a blanket $0.058 per cone and 10–15% margin on custom branded cones, MOQ 1,600 (6/29)
• [Distributor Program] Andrew asked whether there is a standard distributor program and requested assets/collateral to review — no document sent yet (6/30)
• [Distributor Program] John proposed starting the asset/photo package with cones, blunts and pop-top tubes and asked us to confirm scope (7/2)
• [Distributor Program] Clarified that 'offers' meant free samples; newsletter/promo subscription also available and Andrew said he's interested
• [Futurola Blunt Cone Alternative] Custom Cones proposed 109mm x 26mm tea-leaf pre-rolled blunt cones (800/case) as the Futurola equivalent, priced below Futurola
• [Futurola Blunt Cone Alternative] Alternative suggested: 84mm 1–2g blunt cones in hybrid green hemp wrap (900/box) — Andrew noted the material differs from the Futurola reference
• [Futurola Blunt Cone Alternative] Andrew asked for 84mm in addition to 109mm and for a wrap that closely matches Futurola
• [Futurola Blunt Cone Alternative] John confirmed the tea-leaf blunt is the same paper as Futurola and offered to send samples for confirmation (7/2)

• No formal distributor program documentation provided — terms so far are only verbal in email ($0.058/cone, 10–15% branded margin, MOQ 1,600).
• Quoted price stated ambiguously as '0.058 cents per cone'; unit/currency basis should be confirmed in writing before quoting the client.
• 10–15% margin on custom branded cones may be thin for Monarch's resale model.
• The hybrid hemp wrap alternative is a different material from the Futurola reference; only the 109mm tea leaf is claimed to be a paper match, and no 84mm equivalent has been offered yet.
• Client's Futurola evaluation is time-sensitive; sample shipment hasn't been triggered because our reply is pending.

• we owe Replying to John's 7/2 email: confirm we want product photos, confirm starting scope (cones, blunts, pop-top tubes), and confirm whether to send tea-leaf blunt samples
• they owe Formal distributor program document/assets and an 84mm blunt option in a Futurola-matching wrap

Quiet week on execution — no quotes, samples, or specs moved. Gary confirmed the Tuesday 10:30am call on the FLWRCRT packaging direction (category education "How it works" + "Choose Your Experience"), and the call appears to have happened (his 6/30 note opens with "always great connecting"). No packaging outputs, dielines, quantities, or pricing came out of it in writing. The follow-up email instead pivoted to fundraising: Gary sent an investor overview for a $500K Friends & Family SAFE at a $5M post-money cap with a 25% discount, $25K minimum, personalized link for Andrew Lee. Stated use of funds includes Colorado pilots, initial inventory, packaging, and the DTC site — i.e., the packaging program we'd be quoting is tied to this round closing. We owe Gary a response on both the packaging next steps (specs/quantities to quote against) and the investment ask.

• [FLWRCRT Packaging Direction] Tuesday 10:30am call confirmed by Gary on 6/29; call appears to have taken place (referenced on 6/30) — no written recap, specs, or quantities yet
• [FLWRCRT Packaging Direction] Agenda framed around category education ("How it works") and "Choose Your Experience" structure for the packaging
• [Company / Fundraising] Gary sent Friends & Family investor overview: $500K SAFE, $5M post-money cap, 25% discount, $25K minimum, Rule 504 / Reg D, 18-month backstop converting to common
• [Company / Fundraising] Use of proceeds named as Colorado pilots, early rollout, initial inventory, packaging, and DTC website — packaging budget is dependent on the round
• [Company / Fundraising] Personalized investor link shared (partners.flwrcrt.com/investors?inv=andrew-lee); no reply from us as of week's end

• Packaging program is explicitly funded out of an unclosed $500K F&F round — if the raise slips, inventory and packaging spend slips with it.
• Two messages this week and neither produced packaging substance: no specs, quantities, dielines, or dates, so nothing is quotable.
• Relationship is drifting from a sourcing engagement toward an investment conversation; needs a clear separation and a response from us either way.
• No written recap of the Tuesday call means the agreed direction is undocumented and open to later disagreement.

• we owe Reply to Gary's Friends & Family SAFE investor overview ($500K round, $5M cap, 25% discount, $25K minimum)
• we owe Post-call recap and list of inputs needed to move the packaging direction into quoting
• they owe Packaging specs, SKU list, quantities and launch timing for the Colorado pilot

Quiet week on the Hamilton Farms carton, but a new reorder quote went out. Luana acknowledged the 6/24 concept renders for the 7pk/14pk pre-roll carton on 6/29 and said the team would reach out during the week to keep it moving, but no substantive feedback (direction or spacer vs. matchbook) has arrived. On 7/2 Andrew sent a new quote, Q-7R4K8NA01_v1, for a Tyson2.0 RED/Hybrid CR Zip Pre-Roll Pouch reorder: 3 cases at 4,500 units/case, with a 5-case option also quoted since the sea-freight option costs the same as 3 cases. The quote includes a goodwill adjustment — the artwork error on the first batch ("Live Rosin" and other non-universal back-panel copy) will be corrected by Monarch with tooling costs absorbed. Luana confirmed 7/3 the team will review and respond Monday (7/6); both sides agreed to connect then.

• [3X8K7Q] Luana acknowledged the concept art renders on 6/29 and said the team would reach out this week — no design feedback or spacer/matchbook decision received by week's end
• [7R4K8N] Quote Q-7R4K8NA01_v1 sent 7/2 for Tyson2.0 RED/Hybrid CR Zip Pre-Roll Pouch reorder: 3 cases @ 4,500 units/case
• [7R4K8N] 5-case option also quoted because the sea-freight option prices out the same as 3 cases
• [7R4K8N] Goodwill adjustment offered: back-panel artwork error from first batch ("Live Rosin" / non-universal copy) to be corrected, additional tooling covered by Monarch at no cost
• [7R4K8N] Luana confirmed 7/3 the team will review the quote and reply Monday 7/6; call to be scheduled then

• Carton concept feedback has been outstanding since 6/24 — client acknowledged but gave no substantive input, stalling artwork and the spacer vs. matchbook decision
• Pouch quote response lands right after the July 4th holiday weekend, which could slip the promised Monday reply
• Prior batch shipped with incorrect back-panel copy; correction must be verified in artwork before the reorder goes to tooling

• they owe Feedback on the 7pk/14pk carton concept art direction
• they owe Decision on 7pk void fill: spacer vs. matchbook
• they owe Response to Tyson2.0 pouch quote Q-7R4K8NA01_v1 (3 vs. 5 cases), promised Monday 7/6

Andrew Lee (Monarch Packaging) was active on several fronts this week, but most of the ball is in our court. He confirmed receipt of the FLWRCRT packaging direction deck ("Chat then!") and acknowledged Gary's FLWRCRT Friends & Family investor overview, saying Monarch will review it and look for ways to accelerate. On the Spiral Tubes thread he finally sent over Monarch's resale certificate to Tariq on 6/30 and acknowledged Tariq's follow-up document the same afternoon — no client decision yet on the 510 spiral tube 10k/15k DeForest WI quote. A new workstream opened with Custom Cones: Andrew is sourcing an alternative to Futurola 1¼ 84mm blunt cones and now wants both 84mm and 109mm; he asked for photos, a dozen samples for confirmation, and clarity on whether the wraps can match the Futurola reference (he flagged the ones shared differ in material and color). He also formalized Monarch's correspondence address (572 W Broad St, PMB 147, Hazleton PA 18201) and asked again — for both Chubby Gorilla and Custom Cones — for a standard distributor/affiliate program and assets. Finally, on 7/5 he opened a brand-new inquiry to Match Group about a matchbook distributor relationship plus an urgent custom-dimension matchbox order under the Monarch brand, with specs to follow once we connect.

• [FLWRCRT POP Packaging] Andrew confirmed receipt of the FLWRCRT Packaging Direction / Category Education deck on 6/29 and expects a call; final logo files still not provided.
• [FLWRCRT POP Packaging] Gary's FLWRCRT Friends & Family investor overview was received 6/30 — Andrew says it looks interesting and Monarch will review and revert.
• [Spiral Tubes RFQ] Andrew sent Monarch's resale certificate to Tariq on 6/30 and acknowledged a further document Tariq shared the same afternoon.
• [Monarch Pkg_510 Spiral Tubes RFQ] Still no client decision on the 10k/15k CGSC1-510R-CNL-OBK order to DeForest WI — silent this week.
• [Monarch Pkg x Custom Cones] Andrew reintroduced himself as CEO of Monarch Packaging and asked about pre-roll cone distributor/partnership programs; immediate need is an alternative to Futurola 1¼ 84mm blunt cones.
• [Monarch Pkg x Custom Cones] After we shared the 109mm option, Andrew confirmed Monarch needs both 84mm and 109mm, and questioned whether any wrap closely matches the Futurola reference (shared wraps differ in material and color).
• [Monarch Pkg x Custom Cones] Andrew requested product photos and ~1 dozen sample cones for confirmation, and gave the official correspondence address: Monarch Packaging Ltd., 572 W Broad St, PMB 147, Hazleton, PA 18201.
• [Monarch Distributor Partnership] Andrew repeated the ask for a standard distributor program and reviewable assets; also clarified he is happy to be added to marketing offers/campaigns.
• [Monarch Pkg x Match Group] New 7/5 outreach to Match Group: wants distributor/wholesale terms (MOQs, lead times, pricing tiers, customization, reorder agreement) plus an urgent custom-dimension matchbox order under the Monarch brand; specs to be sent once a call is set.

• Wraps shared for the blunt cones differ in material and color from the Futurola reference — if samples don't match, the swap likely dies.
• 510 spiral tube decision (10k/15k, DeForest WI) has now gone quiet for weeks; quoted freight figures may age out.
• FLWRCRT POP carton engineering remains blocked on final logo files with no delivery date.
• Repeated distributor program asks (Chubby Gorilla and Custom Cones) still unanswered — risks souring the partnership before it starts.
• Match Group matchbox flagged as urgent but no specs will come until we connect; delay could lose the order.
• Multiple parallel threads with Andrew (cones, spiral tubes, FLWRCRT, matchboxes) across different internal owners — risk of dropped or duplicated responses.

• we owe Blunt cone photos, ~12 samples (84mm & 109mm) to Hazleton PA, and a wrap that matches the Futurola reference
• we owe Distributor/affiliate program details and assets — both Chubby Gorilla and Custom Cones — plus scheduling the partnership call
• we owe Reply to the 7/5 Match Group inquiry: MOQs, lead times, distributor pricing tiers, customization, and a call for the urgent matchbox order
• we owe Confirmation that Monarch's resale certificate is sufficient / anything else needed for account setup
• they owe Client decision on 510 spiral tubes (10k vs 15k, DeForest WI)
• they owe Final FLWRCRT logo files needed for POP carton engineering
• they owe Feedback on the FLWRCRT Friends & Family investor overview

The 66,000-unit spiral tube order (40k white / 26k black, ex-Texas, $1,310 freight) is dead — the end client went with CannaZip instead, and Andrew told Tariq so on 6/23. Tariq explained the gap: CannaZip is an authorized Chubby Gorilla distributor buying at Master Distributor volume tiers, which is why they can sell at roughly our landed cost. Andrew pivoted and asked on 6/24 about becoming a Chubby Gorilla distributor partner and requested program materials; Tariq twice asked for a phone call instead of sending anything, and Andrew (boarding a flight) proposed Thursday 6/25. As of week's end no call has happened and no distributor program assets have been shared. No movement on the WI 510 tube freight decision or the PA resale certificate.

• CGST1-65MM (NJ spiral tubes): Tariq chased for an update on the 66k order on 6/22; Andrew confirmed 6/23 the client went with CannaZip — order lost
• CGST1-65MM: Tariq attributed the pricing gap to CannaZip's authorized-distributor / Master Distributor volume tier pricing
• Distributor program: Andrew asked 6/24 for assets on Chubby Gorilla's distributor partner program
• Distributor program: Tariq asked twice (6/24) for a phone call; Andrew proposed talking the next day — call not yet held
• No activity this week on the WI 510 spiral tube freight/carrier decision or the PA resale certificate

• Lost the 66k NJ order purely on price — CannaZip sells at roughly our cost because of Master Distributor tier pricing
• Without distributor status we cannot compete on Chubby Gorilla products in this market
• Tariq is withholding distributor program details until a phone call, which has slipped; risk of drift if not scheduled early this week
• No account history yet means no net terms — full prepay required on any order
• PA sales tax license / REV-1220 resale certificate still outstanding to Chubby Gorilla

• we owe Calling Tariq back to discuss the distributor partner program
• they owe Distributor / Master Distributor program details and pricing tiers
• we owe Freight/carrier and quantity decision on the WI 510 spiral tube order
• we owe PA resale certificate (REV-1220) still owed to Tariq

Only one outbound message this week: Andrew kicked off development on the Hamilton Farms multi-pack pre-roll cartons (case 3X8K7Q, brand code 7G3), sending concept art renders for the 7pk and 14pk cartons sized for ⌀7mm Blackbirds. He asked the Hamilton Farms team to review the concepts and weigh in on which direction fits the brand. He also flagged that the 7pk needs either a spacer or a matchbook to fill the empty cavity, and that the matchbook — attractive as a promo giveaway — would run as its own separate development track if approved. No reply from the client yet as of week's end.

• [3X8K7Q] Sent concept art renders for the Hamilton Farms 7pk/14pk pre-roll cartons and asked the client team for feedback on which version fits the brand
• [3X8K7Q] Confirmed carton geometry: designed to hold 7 or 14 ⌀7mm Blackbird pre-rolls
• [3X8K7Q] Raised that the 7pk requires a spacer or matchbook to occupy the vacant space; matchbook would be spun out as its own development process if approved
• [3X8K7Q] No client response received this week — concepts still unreviewed

• No reply yet from Hamilton Farms on the concept art — development timeline stalls until the client picks a direction.
• 7pk design is not resolvable until the spacer-vs-matchbook decision is made; a matchbook choice adds a separate development track and additional lead time.

• they owe Feedback on the 7pk/14pk pre-roll carton concept renders and direction for the brand (case 3X8K7Q)
• they owe Direction on filling the 7pk vacant space — spacer or matchbook (matchbook would start its own development track)

The 66k-unit Hamilton Farms spiral tube deal is lost — Andrew confirmed on 6/23 that the end client went with Cannazip, apparently at or below our cost, which kills the revised quote, the pay-in-full/2-3 Net 30 terms discussion, and the pending PA REV-1220 resale certificate. Andrew took it in stride and immediately pivoted: on 6/24 he asked to become a distributor partner for Chubby Gorilla products and requested any program assets/collateral. He was boarding a flight and proposed a call for Thursday 6/25, which still needs to be scheduled on our side. No movement this week on the 510 spiral tube RFQ (10k/15k to DeForest WI) or the FLWRCRT POP carton logo files.

• [Spiral Tubes RFQ] Andrew confirmed the end client (Hamilton Farms) awarded the business to Cannazip — deal lost, reportedly priced at or below our cost
• [Spiral Tubes RFQ] Revised 66k-unit quote, payment terms and the PA REV-1220 resale certificate are now moot
• [Distributor Partnership] Andrew asked to become a distributor partner for Chubby Gorilla products and requested program assets/materials
• [Distributor Partnership] Andrew was traveling on 6/24 and proposed finding time for a call on 6/25 — not yet scheduled
• No updates this week on the 510 spiral tube RFQ (DeForest WI) or the FLWRCRT POP carton logo files

• Competitor Cannazip is selling at or below our cost, undercutting us on spiral tube business and threatening other open quotes with Monarch
• 510 spiral tube RFQ and FLWRCRT POP carton have both gone quiet — no client decision or logo files in over a week
• Distributor partnership request may be a pivot to preserve the relationship after a price loss; needs a prompt response to keep momentum

• we owe Distributor program assets/materials Andrew requested
• we owe Proposing a time for the 6/25 call with Andrew
• they owe Monarch's client decision on the 510 spiral tubes (10k/15k, DeForest WI)
• they owe Final FLWRCRT logo files for POP carton engineering

Chubby Gorilla (Tariq N.) moved from account setup to live sales orders this week on two separate spiral tube RFQs. Our account application and supporting business docs were accepted; the PA resale certificate is still pending and must be sent once issued. Tariq extended 50,000+ tier pricing on our first order despite the 15k–20k volume. On the NJ (Millville) order we confirmed SKU CGST1-65MM-OBK-OBK (thick-wall PET, black-on-black, non-510, tubes and caps ship as complete units in separate bags, 400/case) and Tariq issued a sales order, then two revisions. Volumes climbed through the week from 15k/20k to 50k/60k to 66k; final configuration landed at 66,000 units — 40,000 white-on-white (100 cases) + 26,000 black-on-black (65 cases) — shipping from Texas at $1,310 freight, 3-day Daylight transit (the CA-sourced 66k option was $1,943). A revised SO plus ACH/wire instructions were sent Wednesday; payment must be 100% up front as no terms are extended until 3 months of history. Separately, a second client RFQ (SKU CGSC1-510R-CNL-OBK, 10k/15k units, to DeForest WI) got a sales order at 400/case, and on Thursday Tariq quoted freight for 25 cases/10k units at $364 via Daylight or $355 via FedEx Ground. Both orders are now waiting on our confirmation/payment; our stated target order date of 6/17 slipped.

• [Spiral Tubes – NJ] Account application and additional business documentation accepted by Chubby Gorilla; PA resale certificate still pending and to be sent when issued
• [Spiral Tubes – NJ] Tariq extended 50,000+ unit tier pricing to our 15k–20k first order and shared the tiered pricing guide
• [Spiral Tubes – NJ] SKU confirmed as CGST1-65MM-OBK-OBK (Spiral Tube, not the 510 cartridge tube CGSC1-510F), thick-wall PET; caps and tubes ship together as complete units, bagged separately, 400 units/case
• [Spiral Tubes – NJ] Initial sales order issued 6/16 for delivery to 1501 Oakland Ave, Suite R, Millville, NJ 08332 via Daylight 3-day from Texas; revised SO sent same day after a call
• [Spiral Tubes – NJ] Volume exploration: 50k/125 cases and 60k/150 cases requested, then 66k/165 cases; CA-warehouse freight for 66k quoted at $1,943, TX had only 45,200 available
• [Spiral Tubes – NJ] Final mix set at 66,000 units = 40,000 white-on-white (100 cases) + 26,000 black-on-black (65 cases) from TX, freight $1,310, 3-day transit; revised SO + ACH/wire instructions attached 6/17
• [Spiral Tubes – NJ] Payment terms confirmed: full payment up front, no net terms until ~3 months of order history; credit card incurs 3% fee
• [510 Spiral Tubes – WI] New client RFQ sent 6/16 for SKU CGSC1-510R-CNL-OBK, 10,000 and 15,000 units to 7208 Gene St, DeForest, WI 53532; sales order issued with 400/case and confidential pricing
• [510 Spiral Tubes – WI] Freight for 25 cases (10k units) quoted at $364 via Daylight or $355 via FedEx Ground — awaiting our choice
• [General] Tiered pricing sheet and warehouse dimensions/CBM per SKU shared and acknowledged

• Our stated target of placing the order by 6/17 Wednesday has slipped — order still unconfirmed and unpaid as of week's end
• No net terms available; full cash up front on a 66k-unit order creates working-capital exposure
• PA sales tax license/resale certificate still not issued — sales tax may be charged on the first order without it
• Texas inventory is tight (45,200 units at one point, then 40k black / 26k white); the exact 66k mix depends on stock that could be sold to another buyer while we delay
• Quantities and configurations changed repeatedly (15k/20k → 50k/60k → 66k → color split), raising risk of ordering the wrong mix; the WI RFQ quantity (10k vs 15k) is also still unsettled

• we owe Confirmation of the revised 66k-unit sales order (40k white / 26k black, $1,310 TX freight) and full up-front payment
• we owe Choice of carrier/quantity for the DeForest WI 510 tube order — $364 Daylight vs $355 FedEx Ground for 25 cases/10k units
• we owe PA resale certificate copy for Chubby Gorilla's records once the license is issued

Busy quoting week with Andrew Lee at Monarch. On the original Spiral Tubes RFQ, Monarch locked the spec — SKU CGST1-65MM-OBK-OBK, black-on-black, thicker wall, non-510 cap — shipping to 1501 Oakland Ave, Suite R, Millville NJ 08332, and asked for pricing/freight at 15k and 20k, then escalated repeatedly to 50k/125 cases, 60k/150 cases, 66k/165 cases, and finally a mixed target of 100 cases white-on-white + 65 cases black-on-black. Andrew's end client is Hamilton Farms; he issued them a 20k black-on-black quote on 6/16 (re-exported after a bad PDF) and then a revised quote on 6/17 for 66,000 units (26,000 black / 40,000 white) with two payment options — pay in full (recommended, shipping ex Chubby Gorilla TX warehouse) or 2/3 Net 30, since volume passed the 50% Net 30 threshold. Monarch wanted to order by Wed 6/17, but that slipped as quantities kept moving and the PA REV-1220 resale certificate is still not issued (Andrew submitted the application and extra business-name documentation this week). A second, separate RFQ opened: SKU CGSC1-510R-CNL-OBK at 10k/15k units to 7208 Gene St, DeForest WI 53532 — we sent the SO with tiered freight plus a 25-case/10k freight figure on 6/18, and Andrew is waiting on his client. On FLWRCRT POP Packaging, Andrew sent the cartridge tube quote (then added the missing 10k option, noting ground freight is pallet-based so identical for both tiers) while the POP carton is still in design pending final logo files. We also sent Monarch the tiered pricing guide with per-SKU CBMs and quantities per case, which he confirmed received.

• [Spiral Tubes RFQ] Monarch confirmed SKU CGST1-65MM-OBK-OBK (black on black, non-510 threaded cap) in the thicker-wall option; delivery to 1501 Oakland Ave, Suite R, Millville NJ 08332
• [Spiral Tubes RFQ] Pricing/freight requested at 15k and 20k on 6/15, then 50k/125 cases and 60k/150 cases, revised to 66k/165 cases on 6/17
• [Spiral Tubes RFQ] Andrew asked how close we can get to a mixed target of 100 cases white-on-white + 65 cases black-on-black; we responded and he acknowledged receipt
• [Spiral Tubes RFQ] Confirmed caps and tubes ship separately — Monarch said that is exactly how they want them; shipping lead time and payment terms discussed (he asked if standard is half Net 30)
• [Spiral Tubes RFQ] Monarch stated intent to place the first order by Wed 6/17; no PO received by week's end
• [Spiral Tubes RFQ] REV-1220 still pending — Andrew submitted the completed application form and additional documentation showing the business name, promising the PA resale cert asap
• [Spiral Tubes RFQ / Hamilton Farms] Andrew quoted end client Hamilton Farms 20k black-on-black tubes (6/16), noting color/mix-and-match options at a 10k minimum at the same unit price; re-sent after a bad PDF export
• [Spiral Tubes RFQ / Hamilton Farms] Revised quote issued 6/17: 66,000 total units — 26,000 black, 40,000 white — with pay-in-full or 2/3 Net 30 terms (50% Net 30 no longer eligible at that volume)
• [Monarch Pkg_510 Spiral Tubes RFQ] New RFQ received 6/16: SKU CGSC1-510R-CNL-OBK, 10,000 and 15,000 units, delivery to 7208 Gene St, DeForest WI 53532; sales order with tiered freight requested
• [Monarch Pkg_510 Spiral Tubes RFQ] Freight quoted for 25 cases (10k units) on 6/18; Andrew will revert after hearing from his client
• [FLWRCRT POP Packaging] Cartridge tube quote sent to FLWRCRT; the missing 10k option was added 6/18 with a note that ground freight is identical across tiers because it is pallet-based
• [FLWRCRT POP Packaging] POP carton still being developed/engineered by the creative team; final logo updates requested from FLWRCRT
• [General] Tiered pricing guide with per-SKU CBMs and quantities per case sent to Monarch and acknowledged

• PA REV-1220 resale certificate still not issued — tax exemption unresolved while an order is being pushed to close
• Monarch's stated 6/17 order date passed with no PO placed
• Quantities have moved repeatedly (15k → 20k → 50k → 60k → 66k → mixed 100/65 cases), forcing repeated freight re-quotes and risking pricing/stock mismatch when the order finally lands
• Both the Hamilton Farms and DeForest WI orders depend on Monarch's end clients, so timing is outside our control
• FLWRCRT POP carton is blocked on final logo artwork with no committed date
• A quote to Hamilton Farms had to be re-sent due to a bad PDF export and the FLWRCRT quote initially omitted the 10k tier — quoting accuracy needs attention

• they owe PA REV-1220 resale certificate — application and business-name documentation submitted, cert not yet issued
• they owe Hamilton Farms' approval of the revised 66,000-unit quote (26k black / 40k white) and choice of payment terms, plus the PO
• they owe Client decision on the 510 spiral tube RFQ (CGSC1-510R-CNL-OBK, 10k/15k to DeForest WI)
• they owe Final FLWRCRT logo files needed to finish the POP carton design

Only one substantive exchange this week on the Spiral Tubes RFQ. Andrew Lee at Monarch Packaging replied on Jun 13 to our Jun 8 message, saying Monarch is still in the process of registering for its Pennsylvania Sales and Use Tax license and expects the number within the next few weeks; the REV-1220 resale certificate will follow immediately after. He asked whether we can proceed with their first order in the interim or whether we'd prefer to wait for the certificate. No quantities, pricing, or specs were discussed, and no documents were exchanged. The ball is with us to decide on the tax-exemption/first-order question.

• [Spiral Tubes RFQ] Andrew Lee (Monarch Packaging) replied Jun 13 to our Jun 8 RFQ follow-up.
• [Spiral Tubes RFQ] Monarch's Pennsylvania Sales and Use Tax license is still pending; number expected within a few weeks, REV-1220 resale certificate to be issued immediately after.
• [Spiral Tubes RFQ] Monarch asked whether there is flexibility to proceed with their first order before the resale certificate is in hand.
• [Spiral Tubes RFQ] No quote, quantities, or specs moved this week.

• Monarch has no resale certificate yet, so the first order may need to be taxed or delayed — could stall order placement for several weeks.
• No product specifics (quantities, sizes, pricing) discussed yet on the Spiral Tubes RFQ; the commercial side has not advanced.
• Five-day gap between our Jun 8 message and their reply; ongoing slow cadence risks the RFQ going cold.

• we owe Response to Andrew Lee on whether Monarch can place its first order before the REV-1220 resale certificate arrives
• they owe PA Sales and Use Tax license number and REV-1220 resale certificate