My guest on E391 of #thePOZCAST is Angus Rittenburg, founder of Wynk. He is an engineer focused on cannabis infusion technologies and manufacturing advancements. As CEO, Angus oversees all aspects of production, quality control and regulatory compliance while also designing and building machinery in-house to streamline productivity.
Before entering the cannabis sector, Angus was a Battery Design Engineer at Tesla, where he worked on designing and manufacturing the Model 3 battery module. He now enjoys using his design manufacturing experience to create novel production processes to navigate the strict regulatory mandates that govern the cannabis industry.
Angus shares his journey from working as a battery design engineer at Tesla to creating innovative production processes in the cannabis industry. The conversation delves into Angus's background, the challenges of battery design, the future of energy solutions, and the unique approach Wynk takes in the cannabis beverage market. In this conversation, Angus Rittenburg discusses the intricacies of producing cannabis-infused beverages, focusing on emulsion stability, quality control, and the challenges faced in the early stages of his company, Wynk. He shares insights on the importance of adapting to market demands, effective marketing strategies, and the lessons learned from his experiences, including those from working with Elon Musk. Angus emphasizes the significance of owning production for maintaining quality and agility in a rapidly changing regulatory environment, and he outlines his vision for Wynk's future growth and success.
Wynk’s store locator and direct-to-consumer purchasing on www.drinkwynk.com.
They just launched a new limited-time offer flavor Cran-Blood Orange https://drinkwynk.com/products/cran-blood-orange
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Takeaways
- Angus Rittenberg's background in engineering shaped his problem-solving skills.
- The importance of curiosity and a hands-on approach in engineering.
- Tesla's focus on recyclable battery design is crucial for sustainability.
The cannabis beverage market is underexplored compared to other consumption methods.
- Wynk aims to provide low-dose cannabis beverages for non-consumers.
- Collaboration with licensed partners is key to Wynk's production strategy.
- The extraction and emulsification processes are vital for cannabis beverages.
- Angus's experience at Tesla influenced his entrepreneurial journey.
- The interview process at Tesla is rigorous and multifaceted.
- The future of energy relies on sustainable solutions like batteries. The potency of cannabis beverages increases through the emulsion process.
- Quality control is crucial in maintaining product consistency.
- Early challenges in entrepreneurship often lead to necessary pivots.
- Understanding market demands is essential for product success.
- Effective marketing strategies can normalize new product categories.
- Owning production allows for greater control and adaptability.
- Lessons from industry leaders can shape one's approach to business.
- Building a strong team requires understanding individual contributions.
- Success is defined by market presence and consumer awareness.
- The cannabis beverage market is evolving with new opportunities.
00:00 Introduction to Angus Rittenberg and Wynk
02:56 Foundations of Curiosity and Problem Solving
06:09 Journey to Tesla and Battery Design
08:59 The Interview Process at Tesla
12:00 The Future of Energy: Batteries vs. Fossil Fuels
15:08 Transitioning from Tesla to Entrepreneurship
18:07 Creating a New Cannabis Beverage
20:56 The Science of Cannabis Extraction and Emulsification
22:01 Quality Control in Production
23:45 Navigating Early Challenges in Entrepreneurship
25:59 Pivoting to Meet Market Demands
28:50 Marketing Strategies for New Products
32:05 Future Growth and Product Development
34:01 Building a Nimble and Innovative Team
37:08 Lessons from Elon Musk
41:00 Defining Success for Wynk