We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ali Garawi a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Ali, so happy to have you on the platform with us today and excited to chat about your lessons and insights. Our ability to make good decisions can massively impact our lives, careers and relationships and so it would be very helpful to hear about how you built your decision-making skills.
I have always tried to bypass routine and preconceived notions of what the “correct” way to do something is. Alternatively, I approach professional decisions by being as objective as possible and embracing a fact-based approach. I consider the pros and cons, but I also reflect on the purpose of whatever the situation is and how it will reflect in the final product for myself and for Muha Meds. By focusing on the end result, I am able to be more objective in any situation where decisions need to be made.
I also know what I’m good at and what I’m not, recognizing that is important, and I know where my skill set is strong, and where I should seek assistance from experts.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I am the co-founder and CEO of Muha Meds, a cannabis brand known for setting the industry standard for quality, that creates vapes, disposables, flower, concentrates, pre-rolls, edibles, merch, and more.
At Muha Meds, we fully embrace vertical integration with a steadfast “go big or go home” mentality. We meticulously oversee every facet of our operations internally, from extraction right through to the finished product on retail shelves, guaranteeing top-notch quality and cost-efficiency throughout the entire process. We take pride in developing, constructing, and managing all of our product manufacturing equipment in-house, enabling us to push the limits of customization and distinguish ourselves from many of the mickey mouse brands that essentially just design packaging and outsource every other aspect of it till it hits the shelves. This involved approach yields premium cannabis offerings that remain accessible to our clientele.
In Q1 of 2024 alone, we have doubled our market presence by entering into Missouri and New Mexico, launched new products in our pre-existing markets of Michigan and California, and are rapidly expanding our Hemp derived Delta line, which will be available throughout the country.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Having a solid understanding of chemistry, finance, and communication skills has been critical to me in building Muha Meds. It’s essential to have a rudimentary understanding of chemistry and measurements when beginning in the cannabis industry. It enables you to read between the lines, understand solubility and volume, and ultimately, the value of a product and the cost of manufacturing it. Having a background in finance has also been beneficial, it allows me to establish creative partnerships and use strategic financing to expand our business. If we need to acquire a new growing facility for example, understanding liquidity, what something is worth, and being able to take advantage of finance opportunities in this volatile market has helped Muha Meds to grow quickly. Finally in regards to communication, it is imperative to be able to get your objective and vision across properly with whoever you are working with. You have to be able to approach situations respectfully, humbly, and with as few words as possible. It saves time and stops efforts from going in circles.
All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?
Lending in cannabis is a monumental hurdle for most operating within the industry. While it has become expected for those who are cultivating to face this challenge, the tolerance for lending in cannabis is so low that even those who are involved in real estate and other auxiliary services struggle to secure financing.
I have had to rely heavily on my personal finance knowledge and think outside of the box when we seek partnerships to expand. In those sorts of financing opportunities, it is less about a credit score, but very much about how you carry yourself and if you can show an opportunity for a return. Ultimately though, I have found the most success in doing it ourselves to keep the quality high while keeping the cost low.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.muhameds.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/muhameds/
