Ex Cannabis Exec Turns to Mushroom Kits: Q&A with Zach Dorsett

Wonderbags: Revolutionizing the Mushroom Grow-Kit Industry

Zach Dorsett launched Wonderbags in November 2022, right after Colorado passed the Natural Medicine Health Act. His company, specializing in pre-colonized mushroom grow bags, has quickly gained traction in a niche market. After spending a year perfecting a mycelium substrate that could be successfully shipped, Dorsett has built a profitable and growing customer base.

Inspiration Behind Wonderbags

Dorsett’s journey into the mushroom grow-kit business was inspired by a combination of personal experience and professional background. With a career in the health and fitness industry and previous experience in hemp and cannabis product development, Dorsett was already familiar with the potential benefits of natural remedies. A life-changing experience with psychedelic medicine fueled his desire to get involved in the industry.

Initially, Dorsett considered cultivating mushrooms himself but struggled with the high failure rates of DIY grow kits. This challenge led him to explore alternatives, ultimately leading to the creation of Wonderbags. The concept was simple yet innovative: pre-colonized grow bags that customers could easily manage at home with minimal effort.

Navigating Legal Challenges

Launching Wonderbags was not without its hurdles. Federal laws, including the Controlled Substances Act and Section 86e of the U.S. Code Title 21, posed significant challenges. These laws classify anything sold for the purpose of producing a Schedule 1 substance, such as psilocybin, as drug paraphernalia.

To navigate these legal complexities, Dorsett worked closely with his attorney to ensure compliance. Wonderbags are marketed strictly for research purposes, and the company ensures its products are free of detectable psilocybin through third-party testing. “Whatever the customer does with their kit after that is their own business,” Dorsett explains, emphasizing that the company does not encourage cultivation.

Customer Success and Product Reliability

One of the key selling points of Wonderbags is the high success rate of their pre-colonized bags. Unlike traditional DIY kits, which can have failure rates as high as 80%, Wonderbags boasts a success rate of over 95%, thanks to its carefully developed substrate of coco coir and other OMRI-rated ingredients.

The reliability of Wonderbags has resonated with customers, who have provided positive feedback and shared their success stories. Some customers have reported multiple flushes from a single kit, with one enthusiastic user achieving an impressive nine flushes. Despite the product’s resilience, Dorsett offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee, ensuring that every customer is fully satisfied with their purchase.

Business Growth and Community Impact

Wonderbags has been in the market for about a year and a half, and Dorsett is pleased with the company’s financial performance. While the business is profitable, Dorsett reinvests all earnings back into growth and community initiatives. He is committed to paying his team a livable wage of at least $25 an hour, reflecting the company’s values.

Though Dorsett doesn’t currently take a salary, he finds great fulfillment in his work with Wonderbags. The niche nature of the mycology supplies industry hasn’t deterred him; instead, it has fueled his passion for the field. “Selling mycology supplies is not a huge industry; it’s a pretty small niche,” Dorsett acknowledges, “But for me, working in it is very, very enjoyable.”

Looking Ahead

As Wonderbags continues to grow, Dorsett remains focused on innovation and customer satisfaction. His dedication to providing high-quality products and contributing positively to the community has positioned Wonderbags as a leader in the mushroom grow-kit industry. With ongoing success and expansion, the future looks bright for Dorsett and his team.