Meet Gagan Grewal
A creative first and businessman second, Gagan Grewal is the Founder and CEO of Mindset Beverages. Combining his innovative thinking and unique entrepreneurial skillset to build high-value companies, Gagan’s expertise in marketing strategy, managing business, and fiscal understanding founded two startups, taking one business from zero to $11 million in one year.
Currently an advisor and board member to a variety of companies, including packaged goods, cannabis and technology companies, Gagan sits on several not-for-profit boards in Vancouver. He’s increasingly passionate about the science behind cannabis and its impact on the wellness of the wider community.
With the goal to reduce the stigma surrounding cannabis, Gagan undertook further education about CBD and the current market, helping him discover the benefits of CBD, resulting in the creation of Mindset Beverages.
We talked to Gagan about the importance of self-improvement in his own life journey, and how this mindset has helped him as a CEO.
Q: You mentioned that you believe it’s important to continue improving yourself – tell us what that means to you.
A: I think Self-improvement is a conscious, everyday decision to want to be better. For me, this isn’t so much about improving one specific thing at a time, but a more general push to grow and develop in multiple areas of my life. I love to read so I’m often finding new ideas and goals for myself through literature. These books have always been a point of inspiration for me, and where I go to learn about ways to evolve alongside the subjects I read about. A few of my favourite books to pull inspiration from are The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg, Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman, and Seneca on the Shortness of Life.
Q: How important is this mindset (self-improvement) for what you do?
A: At the root of self-improvement is curiosity. You have to be curious to imagine a better version of yourself, and identify the active steps to get there. I like to remember that we’re not yet the best versions of ourselves. We’re constantly growing and developing with new adventures and experiences, and it’s ok to make mistakes along the way; this is how we learn more about ourselves and who we want to be.
In my line of work, self-reflection and reinvention helps me create and stay up-to-date with what’s happening in the world. Mindset Beverages is an example of this, where my goal to help reduce the stigma around cannabis has led to a unique, one-of-a-kind product entering the Canadian beverage market.
Q: What’s your best tip for when you struggle to keep this energy?
A: As much as we try, we aren’t perfect. Self-improvement is a process and I like to remember to not be too hard on myself. If I’m feeling stuck, I try to step away from my priorities for a few hours and listen to music or take a nap. To grow, you have to give yourself time and space.
There’s always something you don’t know and it can feel like there’s a lot of pressure to be perfect. Sometimes improvement is incremental and you hit a wall – like tearing a muscle when you work out. You have to break it, rest, and then try again.
Q: What accomplishment are you most proud of that you were able to achieve because of this mindset?
A: I’m really proud of the progress we’re making in CBD research through our proprietary CBD emulsion. Working closely with the Applied Science Department at Langara College, we have been testing Mindset’s CBD emulsion and are excited to eventually test its effects and benefits on certain functions and systems in the body.
On a personal level, CBD research and development is very important to me because of the noted medical benefits of CBD to those experiencing seizures as a complication of ASD. As an active supporter of the Pacific Autism Family Network (PAFN), I feel emotionally tied to this research, and am determined to explore this area of research further.
Q: Tell us what’s coming up for you this year and what we should be on the lookout for.
A: Our uniquely crafted, CBD-only kombucha beverages are launching in British Columbia in February 2023, with Ontario to follow in the Spring. We’re excited for consumers to finally try our four delicious flavours, Fruit Jam, Orange Rooibos, Ginger Turmeric and Pink Grapefruit, and to experience consuming CBD in this form.
Mindset Kombucha will be available at the BC Cannabis Store, and select cannabis retailers. Keep an eye out for our colourful cans in 2023!
Check out Gagan’s day in the life video of his self-improvement mindset.