Bono Ape: The Tale of a Gangster Philanthropist

In the tapestry of modern entrepreneurship and philanthropy, few stories are as compelling and 
full of contrast as that of Sean Bono. From the gritty streets of Los Angeles to the lush, daunting 
forests of Humboldt County, and stretching across the varied landscapes of America to the 
serene shores of Costa Rica, Bono's life reads like a novel written in the shadows and light of 
the cannabis industry. Dubbed a 'Gangster Philanthropist,' his tale is one of transformation, 
resilience, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. This journey isn't merely about the rise of 
one of the nation's fastest-growing cannabis brands; it's a profound exploration of a man who 
has navigated the extremes of taking and giving, of danger and philanthropy. As the founder 
and owner of a trailblazing cannabis enterprise, Sean Bono has defied conventions, turning 
life's lemons into a zest for helping others, all while building an empire that is as much about 
culture and excellence as it is about the green gold of cannabis. This article delves into the life 
of a man who has faced down Mexican cartels, championed the cause of adults with 
developmental disabilities, and cultivated a business ethos that's as rare as it is rigorous. Join 
us as we uncover the layers of Sean Bono's extraordinary journey, a testament to the power of 
transformation and the unyielding spirit of a true philanthropist at heart.

The story of Sean Suh, founder and owner of one of the fastest-growing cannabis brands in the 
country, is as complex as it is romantic. According to Sean, his company's journey embodies 
sheer relentless willpower, led by a leader who refuses to be denied. From the streets of Los 
Angeles, California, to the redwoods of what many call “Murder Mountain” in Humboldt, 
California, and across the heartlands of Oklahoma, with a final destination in Costa Rica, Sean 
Bono's journey is one filled with chilling tales, from encounters with Mexican cartels in 
California's lost reception zones to his dance party rituals with the 300 students at his self-
funded school for adults with developmental disabilities.

Sean Bono reflects on his journey: “I've volunteered with the Special Olympics for as long as I 
can remember. I invested my own money in building schools focused on job training and life 
skills for individuals with developmental disabilities. Proudly, we now have over 300 participants 
across 14 locations.”

When asked about his motivation for serving developmentally disabled adults, Sean explains, 
“Throughout my life, I was primarily a taker. Most of my relationships were imbalanced, with me 
often blaming others for my problems and taking without giving. Creating these schools was my 
way of balancing out years of what I call toxic taking – it's what I like to call extreme giving.”
Securing a historic state and federal government contract at a young age made Sean a 
millionaire before turning 25. He chuckles, “I'm one of the few who can honestly say I'm not into 
cannabis for the money.” Sean secured an unprecedented lifelong service agreement with the 
state of California to provide services to adults with disabilities, ensuring no expiration date on 
the contract.

Reflecting on his transition from building schools to growing cannabis, Sean remarks, “I love 
building companies. Business, to me, is about solving problems at scale. Cannabis legalization 
presented an opportunity, so I ventured into Humboldt, the epicenter of cannabis cultivation, and 
built what would become one of the leading commercial cannabis enterprises.”

At the heart of Bono-Ape Cannabis Company lies a culture of excellence. Sean emphasizes, 
“WHEN YOU WALK AROUND OUR FACILITY, ALL YOU SEE IS CULTURE. I set the tone for 
the team, hand-picking almost every member. We have a rigorous vetting process – no 
blamers, no whiners, just individuals serious about excellence, with a foundation of family 
driving their focus.”

Known for his high standards in team selection, Sean asserts, “In this industry, having the 
wrong people on your team leads to more than just bad products. 99% of robberies come from 
inside jobs, and just like picking out the strongest clones to graduate to our illustrious flower 
room. Unfortunately, we kill almost half of the clones at the nursery level. The selection process 
at Bono-Ape Cultivation facility mirrors that of the Navy SEAL B.U.D.S program. High dropout 
rate with an end product of only the best of the best. “Saying we weed out the weak here is an 
understatement.” I’ve been known to fire people within the first minute of employment. If you’re 
late to work on the first day, you will likely be late to work next month, which probably leads to 
other areas of job performance that need work. I can teach you how to grow weed, but I can’t 
teach you how to be a hardworking professional. You should have learned all these lessons in 
life before even stepping through that door. -insert picture- employees clocking in to work or 
group meeting-cultivation team talking.

Reflecting on his relentless work ethic, Sean shares, “I worked 14 hours a day for five years 
straight, with only one day off per year. I invested my earnings into my first real business, the 
autism programs. Money is a game of hard work, strategy, and discipline – a game I played to 
perfection.”

Today, Sean balances his personal life as a new father to twins with his business endeavors, 
leading one of his three multimillion-dollar companies while guiding his son through jiu jitsu 
classes.

Acknowledging his extreme nature, Sean remarks, “I'm definitely OCD. What some call a 
problem, I see as a superpower. Moderation is boring – I obsess over excellence in everything I 
do.”

Reflecting on a past incident where he defended himself against an attacker, Sean explains, “I 
thought I was going to jail, but security cameras installed by my sister saved my life. I'll never 
back down from a bully, whether it's a physical altercation or the bullying tactics in the cannabis 
industry.”