Coworking with Cristy Aranguiz

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Cristy Aranguiz is co-founder and CEO of a multi-state cannabis enterprise, leading Cannabis & Glass, Iowa Cannabis Company, and Minnesota Cannabis Services.

How would you describe your job to someone who doesn’t work in retail? I run companies that have to operate flawlessly every single day. Retail looks simple from the outside, but behind the scenes, its logistics, compliance, customer experience, pricing strategy, supply chain, hiring, and marketing all happening at once. My job is to make something incredibly complex feel seamless to the customer.

One thing we can’t guess about your job from your LinkedIn profile? I read every customer review: the good ones and the tough ones. People don’t realize how seriously I take customer feedback. It’s one of the best ways to stay grounded and understand exactly where we’re winning and where we need to improve.

What’s your favorite project you’ve worked on? Scaling our Washington retail operations will always be my favorite. It’s where I learned how to run a real business, like how to increase volume, sharpen pricing, improve processes, and build a team that can execute at a high level. Turning a $10K investment into one of the most efficient, high-volume cannabis retail operations in the country is something I’m extremely proud of.

Which emerging retail trend are you most excited about right now, and why? I’m excited about value-driven premiumization. Customers want great products without the inflated price tags. That’s the future of cannabis: high quality, accessible pricing, and a great experience, similar to what Modelo did in beverages. Customers want authenticity, not hype, and retailers who can deliver both value and consistency will win long-term.

What’s your go-to coffee order? Coffee with a splash of vanilla protein creamer. Simple, reliable, and exactly what I need to start a long day.

Worst piece of advice you’ve received? “Slow down.” I’ve been hearing that since I was 15. But every major milestone in my business and in my personal life came from leaning in, not pulling back. Momentum when you’re young matters to create the life you’ve always wanted.

What was your favorite retail product when you were 15, and what’s your favorite retail product now? When I was 15, it was definitely clothes. I love fashion and putting outfits together. Today, I still love great clothes, but I have to plug cannabis here because it’s genuinely one of my favorite product categories. I’m obsessed with a 1/3 blend of THC, CBD, and CBG, especially in a vape. It gives me the perfect mellow, relaxed balance without being overwhelming. It’s functional, and honestly one of the best examples of how far product innovation has come in this industry.