Blog

Aruna is a Berkshire County-based cultivator and the only South Asian-owned cultivation in Massachusetts. 

Their methodology of sun grown indoor cannabis is what makes the brand unique. Aruna’s cultivation facility consists of four fully sealed greenhouses, utilizing insulated metal panel walls with a UV-permissive acrylic roof to maintain an environment equivalent to an indoor grow facility while leveraging full sunlight exposure throughout the year. To balance out the sun’s energy, and the heat that comes with it, each greenhouse’s climate control system is built upon a dedicated geothermal loop under each greenhouse. In other words, they’ve seized the opportunity to balance the energy of the sun and the earth itself to grow sun grown cannabis year round – in a state that has unpredictable weather patterns and a high ambient humidity, making it difficult to consistently output quality flower under most traditional “open greenhouse” cultivation systems. 

Through their novel use of full natural sunlight, supplemental LED lighting, and a series of geothermal cooling loops across the entire facility, Aruna stands alone as the most sustainable indoor grow in the state and the only facility of its kind east of the Mississippi River. 

As the Beverage Cart Sponsor of the 2023 TeeHC Open, CEO & Founder of Aruna, Harsh Patel, spoke with us about his journey with the business: 

What inspired you to start Aruna?

“My father,” says Harsh. “Seeing him come to America when he was 50 from India not only inspired me but gave me a lot of confidence. I want my fingerprint on the American fabric of business.”

What helped you grow the most in your first few years of business?

“Focusing on the fundamentals and not getting caught up in the minutia.” Starting a business takes focus. With everything from operations and finance to marketing and compliance, it’s important to do what it takes to move the business forward. 

There will always be more to do, but you have to ask yourself: What will really move the needle today? Networking is a part of that equation. Harsh says it’s “It’s all about the team.”

What’s your best piece of advice for other entrepreneurs?

“Don’t start – And if someone telling you that is enough to give you pause, then you should definitely reconsider the ‘Why’ you want to be in business.

It’s important to be able to block out pessimists, especially if their negative feedback is not coming from a place of wanting you to improve. If you are solely interested in the cannabis industry for the financial opportunity, your customers and colleagues will undeniably take note of that.

Your intentions are important. Harsh’s family comes from Gujarat and notes, “Sustainability started for me out of necessity. From the beginning, I’ve always had a conservative approach to things because of my upbringing. In a developing country like India, we are strict with the products we use, we prioritize where we spend, and we’re conscientious of who we work with. That being said, the sustainable way of doing things has been the only way of doing things from my perspective.”

What are you looking forward to the most about the 2023 TeeHC Open?

“We are a young company and are excited to continue our growth and expand our business circle by meeting like-minded folks in the industry while continuing to spread the good word about Aruna. We are looking forward to expanding our brand’s footprint into new dispensaries throughout the state.”

Aruna just recently launched their All-Inclusive Cannabis Brand, OM. OM’s products span from flower to vapes, with a focus on quality without the huge price tag. 

In addition to OM, they hope to also find a philanthropic partner to work with before the end of the year. “Down the line, we would love to expand our brand into emerging markets that share our values.” 

Connect with Aruna at the 2023 TeeHC Open

Although a younger company, Aruna is set up for major success with their conscious-driven essence and high-quality products. From their founder to their team members, Aruna is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of the cannabis industry to set a new standard. 

You can connect with their team at the 2023 TeeHC Open around the Beverage Cart and learn more about their mission and products. 

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn from Aruna, one of the most sustainable, minority-owned businesses in the industry. Get your tickets to attend today.