Biography & Early Wealth Journey

Shortly after that chance encounter, Hagedorn told everyone at Scotts Miracle-Gro that they would start investing money into hydroponics. And he was serious. Hagedorn told the members of the company, "If you don't like it, leave. We're doing it. It's beyond stopping. And we're not getting into pot growing. We're talking dirt, fertilizer, pesticides, growing systems, lights. You know it's a multibillion-dollar business, and we've got no growth in our core. Are you guys stupid?"

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - FEBRUARY 07: A cannabis plant grows in the Amsterdam Cannabis College, a non profit charitable organisation that gives information on cannabis and hemp use on February 7, 2007 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The city council in Amsterdam has recently voted in favour of introducing a citywide ban on smoking marijuana in public areas. A successful trial ban in the De Baarsjes district of Amsterdam has been declared a success after a reduction in anti social behaviour. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

(Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

Since then, Hagedorn has invested over $250 million in both California and Amsterdam on hydroponics. Last year. Hagedorn spent $135 million on two companies in California that sell marijuana growing accessories, such as soils and fertilizers. In addition, Scotts Miracle-Gro spent $120 million on another company in Amsterdam, which sells hydroponics equipment.

Primary Income Streams & Multi-Million Contracts

Hagedorn says that the company plans on investing up to $150 million additional dollars on the hydroponics business by the end of the year.

Scotts Miracle-Gro sells $3 billion worth of product every year, and makes $160 million profit every year, but sales have stagnated since 2009, which has forced the CEO to look to alternative ways to make money. It appears as if Hagedorn and his company are all in on the marijuana business, which he calls "the biggest thing [he has] ever seen in lawn and garden." If everything goes as planned, Hagedorn and his company will be making a lot of green in the near future.

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