GWSB alumna and business owner Sabrina Clebnik, B.S. ‘23, M.H.R.M. ‘24, discusses how GW’s ecosystem allowed her to pursue her entrepreneurial dreams and build the foundation needed to launch her own successful company, Clebby’s.
“Through GW’s entrepreneurship ecosystem, I was able to compete in Pitch George and the New Venture Competition and receive the Founders and Innovators Grant. Winning those competitions provided the financial support to start my business, along with access to mentorship and a community that believed in student founders.”
Sabrina Clebnik
B.S. ‘23, M.H.R.M. ‘24
Where did you grow up and how has your background influenced you today?
I grew up in the Boston area in a family that encouraged curiosity, creativity, and independence. My parents always taught me not to shy away from challenges and not to be afraid to carve my own path, even when it meant pursuing something unconventional.
I also spent a lot of time baking and experimenting in the kitchen growing up, which sparked my interest in food and product creation. That combination of creativity and willingness to take risks ultimately shaped the path I’m on today.
Those lessons gave me the confidence to pursue entrepreneurship early and to bring product innovation to an industry that can be complex and difficult to navigate. Today I approach my work with the same mindset: be creative, take thoughtful risks, and build something new.
Tell us about your current professional role and how it excites you.
I am the founder and CEO of Clebby’s, a cooking and baking company focused on bringing cannabis into the kitchen in a thoughtful and approachable way. Today, we sell cannabis-infused baking mixes and cooking oils that allow people to bake and cook their own infused foods at home.
The company grew out of two interests that shaped me early on: a love of food and product creation, and a willingness to build in an emerging industry. What excites me most is the opportunity to bring thoughtful product innovation to a space that is still evolving and full of opportunity. At the same time, our mission is simple. We want to make cooking with cannabis accessible, delicious, and approachable for everyday consumers.
Every day, I get to combine creativity, entrepreneurship, and problem-solving to build a new category within food and consumer products.
Did you receive a scholarship at GW? If yes, how did your scholarship help you succeed?
Yes, I was honored to receive the Presidential Scholarship at GW. That support gave me the flexibility to pursue entrepreneurial opportunities while I was a student and dedicate meaningful time to developing my company. It allowed me to immerse myself in GW’s entrepreneurship ecosystem and begin turning an early idea into a real venture. The opportunity to focus on both academics and building a company helped lay the foundation for the business I am building today.
What accomplishment are you most proud of personally or professionally and why?
One accomplishment I am most proud of is building and expanding my business as the industry evolved. I began developing the company while I was a student at GW, where early support and funding helped turn the idea into the foundation of a real business. After graduating, I initially built the business in Massachusetts and later expanded it nationwide by launching a direct-to-consumer line of cannabis inspired baking mixes and cooking oils. We launched our direct-to-consumer products in November 2025 and generated over $100,000 in sales in our first 100 days, a milestone that reflects the resilience required to grow a company in an emerging and regulated industry.
What is your only-at-GW moment? In other words, what is an experience/opportunity you believe GW provided you access to?
My defining “only at GW” moment was having the opportunity to build and pitch my company while I was still a student. Through GW’s entrepreneurship ecosystem, I was able to compete in Pitch George and the New Venture Competition and receive the Founders and Innovators Grant. Winning those competitions provided the financial support to start my business, along with access to mentorship and a community that believed in student founders. GW’s willingness to support my venture in an emerging industry helped transform an idea I started in college into the foundation of a real company.
Was there a standout course, professor, or organization from your time as a student that inspired your career path?
I had the opportunity to take Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership with Kathy Korman Frey as a sophomore, and it was one of the most impactful classes I took at GW. I did not enter the course expecting to immediately start my own business, but it gave me the confidence, tools, and support network to think seriously about entrepreneurship. It helped me realize that building a company was something I could actually pursue. It is truly one of the best courses GW offers.
What is a piece of advice you would offer to students seeking to pursue your field of work?
Cannabis is an incredibly challenging industry to enter because the regulatory landscape is constantly evolving. At the same time, there is tremendous opportunity for young people to bring creative solutions and innovative products to the market. My advice is to stay curious, be adaptable, and not be intimidated by complexity. Some of the most exciting opportunities exist in industries that are still being built.
How do you give back to the GW community?
I love staying connected to GW by working with students and supporting the university’s entrepreneurship community. Students have the opportunity to work with Clebby’s through several GWSB courses, and I enjoy mentoring teams competing in GW’s entrepreneurship competitions. It is incredibly rewarding to help support the next generation of student founders.
What is a fun fact about yourself that you’d like to share?
A fun fact about me is that I am a huge sports fan. When I am not working, you can usually find me golfing or watching my Boston teams chase another championship.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with the GW community?
I am incredibly grateful for the support GW gave me as a student founder. The university’s entrepreneurship ecosystem helped turn an early idea into the foundation of a real company, and I always enjoy staying connected with the GW community. And if you ever find yourself wanting to bake something sweet, you know where to find Clebby’s.