Will Bowden is the Founder and Owner of Grasshopper Farms, a Michigan farm on a mission to grow and provide high-quality cannabis. Bowden shares his journey into the cannabis industry and how he started Grasshopper Farms. He also discusses his approach to building and managing his business, emphasizing the importance of building a strong team and identifying the company’s core competency.
Cannabis has been a topic of debate for decades, but with the legalization of marijuana in many states, the industry is booming. With the increase in demand, it’s important to understand what makes high-quality cannabis. According to Will Bowden, founder and CEO of Grasshopper Farms, quality should be defined by the effects that the consumer wants to achieve and how the product can help them achieve those effects.
Bowden’s journey into the cannabis industry began with his interest in outdoor farming. He realized that outdoor farming allows for the production of sun-grown cannabis flower through a single season outdoor grow. This method of farming has several benefits, including lower costs, higher yields, and better quality.
Bowden emphasized the importance of building a strong team and identifying the company’s core competency. For Grasshopper Farms, that expertise is producing high-quality sun-grown cannabis flower through a single season outdoor grow. He drew on his experience in the military and police department to build a team with individual expertise and overlapping experience. This approach allows the company to become proficient in their core competency and avoid being pulled in too many directions.
Grasshopper Farms is not just about producing high-quality cannabis, but also about making a positive impact on society. Bowden believes that cannabis can help people with addictive relationships with substances like alcohol and pain medication. He mentioned that some people may continue to use these substances, but cannabis can help them decrease their excess usage and develop a healthier relationship with the product. Bowden’s nonprofit organization, Simplicity, aims to help homeless, unemployed, or underemployed individuals. The organization provides individualized support to help people get back on track and achieve their desired goals.
Cannabis can help people with addictive relationships with substances like alcohol and pain medication. Will Bowden's passion for promoting the benefits of cannabis and helping others is truly admirable. Click To TweetThe backstory behind the name Grasshopper Farms represents always learning and the method of jumping from season to season. Bowden believes that having a clear and succinct story behind the company is important for resonating with customers and employees. The company’s commitment to producing high-quality sun-grown cannabis, building a strong team, and identifying the company’s specialized technique has made it a leader in the industry.
The benefits of outdoor farming and the potential benefits of cannabis for individuals with addictive relationships with substances have made the industry grow rapidly. With Grasshopper Farms and Simplicity, Bowden has created a company that not only produces high-quality cannabis but also makes a positive impact on society. Check out their website to learn more about their journey and how they are changing the cannabis industry for the better. You can also listen to his podcast episode on the Management Blueprint podcast with host, Steve Preda, here.