How to: Open Your Dispensary on a Budget | Key Takeaways from Canna Connect MN

Date: September 24th | Location: The Wilderness Fitness & Networking

Last week, Canna Connect hosted its second educational seminar, "How to: Open Your Dispensary on a Budget," bringing together cannabis professionals, license holders, and ancillary leaders from across the state.

Held at The Wilderness, the day was dedicated to exploring the single most critical (and often overlooked) step in a successful launch: building a bulletproof budget that works. Attendees met in person, tuned in online, and engaged in hands-on demonstrations to absorb hard-earned lessons from the experts who build, secure, and grow Minnesota's dispensaries.

Non-Negotiable Costs & Smart Budget Hacks for Your Dispensary

The core theme of the day was identifying where to spend confidently and where to save smartly. Industry leaders provided actionable insights across technology, design, security, and sales infrastructure.

Tech & Security: Where Reliability is the Only Budget

Technology and security are often treated as line items, but the experts stressed they are compliance anchors.

• Munir Haque, Cure8 underscored the importance of vendor reliability in all technology and security decisions. A failed system or unproven vendor is a regulatory and financial risk no startup can afford.

• Aaron Baird, Solink provided a fascinating live demonstration of their cutting-edge security tools. The takeaway: modern security systems are not just cameras; they are intelligent audit tools that protect your license and your inventory.

Design & Construction: Avoiding Costly Day-One Mistakes

Dispensary build-out is a major budget drain. The key to staying on budget is strategic, compliance-driven design.

• Brytany Melville, Forte Operations reminded attendees that dispensary design isn't just about style; it's about avoiding costly operational mistakes. Optimized floor plans reduce labor hours and security risk long-term.

• Chris Isley, Temeka Group emphasized how construction decisions—even foundational details like vault placement and materials—can impact long-term efficiency and compliance costs. Plan for scale from day one.

POS & Data: Leveraging Sales Insights for Growth

Your Point-of-Sale (POS) system is more than a cash register; it's the engine for growth and compliance.

• Gus Sevastos, Dutchie showcased how modern POS systems and sales data can do more than track transactions. He demonstrated how this data can coach teams, uncover crucial consumer insights, and fuel smart inventory decisions for efficient growth.

Digital Marketing: Winning the Customer Before You Open

In a restricted market like Minnesota, pre-launch marketing is non-negotiable.

• Eric Johnston, The Grow House drove home the vital, non-negotiable role of strategic marketing before a dispensary ever opens its doors. Brand awareness and customer education must begin early.

• MacKenzie Ziegler, Surfside.io explained how dispensaries can leverage data-driven digital marketing to effectively win over customers, even those currently shopping with competitors, by identifying high-intent shoppers online.

Looking Ahead: Growing Stronger, Together

The evening wrapped with a non-alcoholic happy hour, where attendees connected directly with speakers and peers, sparking meaningful conversations about the real-world execution required to sustain a thriving Minnesota dispensary.

Each expert left participants with tools they could apply immediately, and the energy in the room was clear: Minnesota’s cannabis industry is ready to grow smarter, stronger, and together.

Stay tuned for our next educational seminar, and if this session was any indication of the crucial value we provide, you won't want to miss our next professional education seminar.

Don't Miss the Next Step: Canna Connect's New Seminar

The energy from our budget seminar made it clear: Minnesota is ready for the next level of professional education. Join us for our next exclusive session:

Next Event: How to Budget for Your Facility

Date: October 15th | Location: The Wilderness Fitness & Networking

This seminar is designed for cultivators and growers seeking to start their facility inside the Minnesota cannabis industry. We will be bringing together another panel of experts to provide deep-dive, actionable strategies to ensure your facility opens smoothly and thrives in the Minnesota market.

RSVP HERE

Secure Your Seat Now

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-budget-for-your-facility-presented-by-canna-connect-tickets-1511296361099