Home » About Us
About Us
Going on our 6th year of delivering quality marketing and brand development, our passionate team of creatives is proudly devoted to making a difference for the plant, for our clients, and for the future of the cannabis industry. Our marketing services go above and beyond, assisting B2B, B2C, and MSO clients from all over the country.
Want to see for yourself? The awards we’ve won for our clients and community work reflect our commitment to enhancing cannabis brands while progressing our creative craft along the way.

John Shute
CEO & Co-Founder
John Shute has taken the cannabis marketing industry by storm. As a graduate of Norwich University’s MBA Project Management Program, John currently specializes in creative cannabis marketing strategy for B2B, B2C, and client communications. As a forward-thinking CEO, he has led PufCreativ to win ADCANN’s “Agency of the Year” award (twice) – and he was also named “CEO of the Year” by CEO Monthly in 2020 and 2022!

Shamus Lahman
Creative Director & Co-Founder
Shamus is a multidisciplinary creative who’s delivers effective and engaging solutions across brand identity, print, packaging, and digital media since 2012. Shamus’s rounded skillset help with implementing clear direction and execution from start to finish. Also the eye behind the camera, Shamus’s vision brings our clients ideas to life.

Katie Burrell
VP, COO & Co-Founder
Katie Burrell is a cannabis professional and partaker who has been trailblazing her own path as an entrepreneur, creator and activist in the cannabis space for 7+ years. Over the course of her career, she has specialized in social media marketing, strategy and business development. She has found that the use of intentional, researched, and hyper-curated social media marketing produces authentic and sustainable results. In fact, this approach is what won her AdCann’s Marketer of the Year 2022. As a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, she aims to encourage other queer people to join the cannabis space. A devoted ‘animal mom’, Katie likes to spend her free time with her two cats, Thuja and Alani, and adventuring with her coffee-coated pup, Beans.

Ben Stewart
Director of Web & SEO
Since graduating with a degree in Graphic Communication from Northern Michigan University, Ben has been on a mission to refine his artistic repertoire in any field put in front of him. A seasoned WordPress developer and SEO whiz, he got his foot in the door of the design world by freelancing as a videographer and social media manager for a variety of industries. Ben is an avid traveler with a passion for photography, and the overlap of influences from his design, development, videography and photography backgrounds are clear in any work he produces.

Andrey Krymchansky
Editor-In-Chief
With 5+ years experience in the cannabis industry, Andrey is proud to be doing his part to remove the stigma that has been associated with this incredible plant for far too long. His commitment to boundless creativity, the highest quality of content and journalistic integrity drive him to help your brand develop its personal shine. Andrey is a graduate of Rutgers University in New Jersey, and loves to explore nature with his wife McKenzie, his daughter Katerina, and their mischievous furry creatures, Lucy & Stubby.

Andrew Flees
Social Media Manager & Director of Animation
Andy is a dedicated landscape photographer at heart and his passion extends far beyond being behind the lens. Well-versed in graphic design, animation and social media management, he brings an attention to detail and an outside-of-the-box point of view to every project, big or small. Starting his career in social media by sharing his love for nature on his personal Instagram account, he has blossomed from photographer, to social media guru, to full time content creator.

Allison Nickels Shute
Legal Advisor
Allison is an experienced attorney with a demonstrated history of growing and developing strong relationships across industries. She helps businesses stay informed and legally compliant as the regulated cannabis industry continues to evolve. She is skilled in civil litigation with a particular focus on business, real estate, contract, licensing and cannabis law. Allison is passionate about setting her clients up for success by providing secure legal consultations in the realm of licensing, contracts, legal strategies, business formations, expansions and acquisitions.

Cam Rizai
Sales & CRM Specialist
Cam is a young and tenacious employee who specializes in customer relationship management and sales. Working and studying the new age of digital marketing is a point of interest for Cam. He believes that digital marketing is important now more than ever due to the ever-changing ways our future generations consume information. Cam immerses himself into the heartbeat of digital consumers in order to effectively match marketing strategies with our clients. Outside of work, Cam is a large proponent of social and philanthropic causes. He also enjoys the arts, nature and his Bernese Mountain Dog Nugget.

Chelsea Bates
Office Administrator & Social Media Manager
Chelsea is a recent graduate of the University of Florida with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations. With a passion for creativity, communication, and organization, Chelsea has found herself dedicated and exhilarated to be growing in the world of social media management. Authenticity is the number one thing she stands by. She’s passionate about helping clients to reflect that same standard in their social media. Aside from her work, Chelsea loves to spend her free time in nature, hitting up electronic dance music shows and festivals, and in meditation and intuition practices.

Kashawn Stroman
Branding & Design Intern
Kashawn is a current graduate student at S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. There he is a design students focused on branding and product design. He has a passion for all things creative and is looking to take his experience into the cannabis world. Kashawn lives by the code, “Everything Happens For A Reason”. He hopes to utilize his internship with Pufcreativ to expand not only his creative techniques but his knowledge about the business marketing sectors as well. When not behind a computer you can find Kashawn riding his motorcycle, exploring nature, or just hangin with his friends.

Chelle Winn
Social Media Manager & Content Creator
A graduate from Rowan University with bachelor degrees in PR and Advertising, Chelle has made headway in social media, design and promotions. With a love for the cannabis and music industries, Chelle continues to combine the two worlds on multiple social media platforms through her one of a kind content creation and social media management. On her spare time she is a flow artist and enjoys traveling, attending and promoting festivals, spending time with her coffee-coated pup Beans and her two cats, Thuja and Alani.

Patrick Cathcart
Web & SEO Specialist
Graduating with a degree in Photography from Northern Michigan University in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Patrick has since worked professionally as a web designer and developer, visual designer, photographer and videographer. He originally got started in the creative world by working in a small print shop, and has been expanding his artistic skillset from that point on. Patrick’s passion for creativity and detail are apparent in the work he produces here at PufCreativ and in any other artistic outlet put in front of him.

Ali Hinman
Copywriter
Ali is a creative communication specialist with over 7 years of experience in freelance writing. She started as a way to make money in college and grew to love connecting with people from all over. She has written personal essays, editorials, product reviews, news articles, blog posts, and even stand-up comedy. She hopes to bring a personable and approachable voice to client’s copy that will allow their customers to feel welcomed to the world of cannabis.
Awards & Nominations

Best Website
Rebel Spirit - 2023

Best Brand Bundle Package
Gentlemen Smugglers - 2023

Agency of the Year Winner
2021

Best Agency Winner
2020

Campaign of the Year
2021

CEO of the Year
2020

Marketer of the Year Winner
2020

Best Agency Nominee
2019
Featured In
Cannabis Marketing: The Top 20 Firms Powering Industry Success
September 8, 2023
Canvas Rebel - Meet John Shute
April 6, 2023
Meet Ben Stewart | Director of Web & SEO at PufCreativ
October 4, 2022
Voyage Denver: Daily Inspiration - Meet Katie Burrell
March 22, 20222
Daily Ad Brief: “Media Champions” with John Shute from PufCreativ
November 16, 2021
Denver Westword • Cannabis Calendar - Candy Is Dandier After a Joint
February 24, 2020
Strain Insider • Top 25 Cannabis Marketing Agencies in 2020
February 1, 2020
Cannabound • Top 5 Cannabis Marketing Firms
October, 2019
Voyage Denver • Meet PufCreativ: South Denver Clients Country
September 10, 2019