I'm the CEO of a cannabis and beverage company. I start my day in Central Park with my dog and hate being surrounded by 'yes' people.

Isa Zapata for BI

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Irwin Simon, the chairman and CEO of Tilray, based in New York City. It's been edited for length and clarity.

My career started 40 years ago as a life insurance salesperson. I didn't do that for too long because I didn't like selling something to someone who ultimately had to die to get it.

I then became a salesman for an electronics company and later a brand manager for Häagen-Dazs Ice Cream in Canada. I moved to New York to work for Häagen-Dazs...