Stosh Wasik entered the cannabis industry through a college friend's pitch, transforming his finance background into a burgeoning business amid Michigan's legalization wave. Alongside partner Logan Stauber, they built a company from a single 864-square-foot store in 2020 to eight locations, emphasizing employee autonomy and exceptional customer service. Their story highlights how personal opportunity and strategic adaptation fuel growth in a rapidly evolving sector.
Origins in Opportunity and Research
Wasik's journey began casually during college when a business partner from another cannabis venture proposed collaboration. As a user with a finance degree, he recalculated projections, drafted a business plan, and launched the company—a move that propelled him into the industry without premeditated intent. Stauber, by contrast, traced his interest to 2012 high school research on cannabis penny stocks, sparked further by tending a friend's home grow. In college, he secured caregiver licenses, grew plants, and worked for a Marquette cannabis attorney, positioning himself for Michigan's legalization.
Cultivating a Modern Workplace Culture
The duo prioritizes millennial-friendly policies at their Marquette headquarters, designed as the "Google of the weed industry" with an on-site gym, flexible schedules, and benefits including dental, health, vision, and 401(k) options. Employees enjoy decision-making autonomy backed by leadership support, fostering a fun, empowering environment distinct from traditional industries. Integrity stands as their core hiring criterion—energy and intelligence mean little without it—ensuring hires align with a culture of trust and accountability.
Hands-On Leadership and Employee Support
Early days demanded total involvement: Wasik and Stauber ran cash registers, checked out customers, and tackled every task in their cramped first store, setting a lead-by-example tone. They extend care beyond work, advising staff on vehicle purchases, home searches, and living areas to enhance quality of life. Performance improvement programs offer second chances, providing tools for success before any parting. This approach sustains morale amid expansion, where constant adaptation—revising standard operating procedures three to four times—drives efficiency.
Customer Obsession and Rapid Scaling
Customer service transcends standard expectations; every interaction aims to create a unique, positive impact, elevating routine visits to dispensaries above everyday errands like grocery runs. Pricing evolution underscores their responsiveness: initial vape cartridges cost around $114 each, now bundled as 10 for $100 in deals. From one store to eight in a few years, growth demanded uniform standards across operations, from store management to desk supplies, reflecting the sector's volatility and their commitment to continuity in change.
Interview by Patrick Williams and edited for length and clarity.
