About Kind Supply Direct
Our Story: The Evolution of KSD
Kind Supply Direct’s journey began in 2013, when our founder Michael “Fleck” Fleckenstein launched a nonprofit cannabis cultivation operation serving 500 medical patients in Northern California. This initial venture ultimately planted the seed for what would become our company’s guiding philosophy: combining cannabis expertise with innovative solutions. By 2016, we recognized a pivotal shift in the industry as the market moved from flower-dominant sales toward concentrates and vaping products. This insight led to our strategic pivot from plant-touching operations to becoming industry enablers – the modern equivalent of selling picks and shovels during a gold rush. That year marked our true founding, as we began intensive R&D efforts to develop superior hardware solutions. VaperTip was born.
A key milestone came when we sent our COO Barry Brilliant to Shenzhen, China to establish manufacturing partnerships and integrate cutting-edge technology with our own innovations. Through this cross-continental collaboration, we developed our first generation of reliable, high-performance products that set new benchmarks for quality in the emerging vape market. In 2021, we solidified our presence by opening our brick-and-mortar headquarters and passing the CEO torch to Barry, establishing Kind Supply Direct as a formal entity. This move coincided with our expansion beyond hardware into complete packaging solutions, including custom-designed containers, premium labeling systems, and botanical-derived terpene formulations with Calyxa Terpenes.
Barry’s generational experience in the print and packaging industry immediately accelerated our full service offerings.
Today, we’ve grown into a comprehensive solutions provider, capable of taking a client from a concept to a shelf-ready product in as little as four weeks. Our evolution reflects the industry’s own transformation, as we’ve continuously adapted to meet emerging needs:
2013-2015: Medical cannabis cultivation experience
2016: Strategic pivot to hardware and technology
2017-2019: International supply chain development
2020: Packaging solutions expansion
2021: Physical headquarters establishment
2022-Present: Full-service brand development capabilities
What began as a response to market changes has blossomed into a company that not only anticipates industry trends but helps shape them. From our early days troubleshooting hardware prototypes to our current work developing advanced rosin press technology, our story continues to unfold at the intersection of cannabis expertise and innovative problem-solving.
Every chapter of our history reinforces our core belief: The most successful cannabis businesses aren’t just about the plant – they’re about providing the tools, technology, and partnerships that allow the entire industry to thrive, and doing so with kindness.
Why We Exist
The cannabis industry is fast-moving and competitive. Many brands struggle with over-saturation, inconsistent supply chains, and inflated costs due to corporate overhead. We saw an opportunity to do things differently; by staying lean, prioritizing relationships, and delivering premium products without unnecessary markups.
Looking Ahead
The future is bright. We’re expanding into new markets, including advanced rosin press technology and alternative cannabinoids, while staying committed to sustainability. In five to ten years, we aim to be a leader in concentrate manufacturing equipment and eco-friendly solutions. But no matter how much we grow, one thing won’t change: We’re here to help you succeed. Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about products—it’s about people.
Let’s build something great together.
