Five Exploratory Questions With Andy Singh, Founder/CEO Of Nuvata

Nuvata gets it. From the cheery and brightly colored outer housings and oh, so intensely flavored oils, to their uniquely potent, proprietary strain balances, let’s just say that these memorable oils get me stoned! I’m excited about the taste and the smell and of course the buzz as they do it all for me. Nuvata makes my life easier and shall I tell you about all the compliments that I get from people when they see Nuvata for the first time? Well, there are a lot of interested people who know what time it is, cannabis speaking that is. Nuvata should be from another planet, because there is nothing that I’ve ever tried from this planet that even comes close to the intensity and awareness of this vape pen. I know the news has been all bad as of late surrounding bootleg oils from uncertain sources. Do yourself a favor, close your mind for a moment. Sure there are bad actors, but Nuvata is all about goodness, wellness, happiness and synchronicity. I’m a massive fan. Nuvata is purely delicious! Rest your mind, this is purely delicious.

Warren Bobrow=WB: Where are you from? What did you want to be where you grew up? What did your parents want you to become?

 Andy Singh=AS: I am somewhat of a global citizen. My family is of Indian descent, but I was born in Bangkok and we moved to Los Angeles when I was six months old. When I was in sixth grade, my family moved back to Bangkok for business, so I spent several formative years in Thailand. At the age of 19, we moved back to Los Angeles. I always had one foot in the east and one in the west, which allowed me to take the best of both worlds and apply that to my life and work. 

 Entrepreneurship and leadership are in my blood so I always wanted to run my own business. As far back as I can remember, I would come up with new ideas. At the age of 13 when I’d visit Los Angeles, I would buy items like hot Cheetos in bulk at Costco and sell packets to my friends in Bangkok where they were a hot commodity. I remember making a 1500% margin profit on each unit. And then at the age of 15, I started an iPhone trading business out of my garage. 

 My father was a self-made entrepreneur who went through many hardships so my parents wanted me to choose a more predictable and professional path. Since I am really good at making convincing arguments, they thought I’d make a good lawyer and encouraged me to pursue that path. 

WB: Tell me about your company? What was your inspiration for Nuvata? Why Cannabis?

AS: Nuvata was born out of my love for the plant and the belief that everyone should be able to enjoy the wellness, mindfulness, and fun that cannabis can bring to life. My goal with Nuvata is not to get people high for the sake of it, but to enhance their lives through cannabis. As a Thai-Indian-American, I wanted my eastern values to coincide with western culture through cannabis. Nuvata was coined by combining two separate terms, “nu” and “vata”. Nu stands for the new way of bringing something new to life and re-envisioning of art. Vata is one of the three Doshas (substances that are present in a person's body) according to Ayurvedic medicine and refers to space and air. We believe Nuvata’s Mind-Body Series can enable in the regulating of your internal body mechanisms, opening up channels of wellness and mindfulness, unlocking space within. 

WB: What is your six-month plan? One year? What is next on the horizon?

AS: Next on the horizon is the launch of our second line of products - the Flow series which is a CBD dominant vaporizer designed for those who enjoy the effects of THC and CBD but want a less psychoactive experience. We are also constantly evaluating consumer trends and pain points in order to develop world-class products that solve problems.

 In the next six months, I want Nuvata to be available at all the major dispensaries across California. We will be laser-focused on growing our distribution network and building brand awareness in California through all channels available to the cannabis industry. We want people to know that cannabis can help with their day-to-day lives. Not afraid to be ambitious, we want to be in at least two additional legal markets in the U.S. in the next year.

 WB:

Who is your greatest inspiration? 

 AS: My father, Roni Singh. He is my hero, my biggest critic and fan. He is someone who leads by example, and his life story and success are a guiding force in my journey. He worked tirelessly to achieve the American dream. When he was a teenager, he helped his father with various tasks at his convenience store in the North Indian town Karnal. After the passing of his father, and with a lack of opportunities, he decided to move to the U.S. and started a small garment business, which over time became a multi-million-dollar company. He overcame discrimination and language barriers, because he believed that there was a better life for his family. His life’s journey taught me that the world is full of infinite possibilities and the mind is an incredibly powerful tool to help achieve anything you want.

  WB: Do you cook? If so, what is your favorite dish? Made by whom? Do you have a favorite restaurant? Where? What kind of food?

AS: I am certainly not an expert cook but I can whip up something quick and easy. At some point in my life when I am not so busy building a company, I can see myself acquiring a passion for cooking. My all-time favorite is Bangkok street food, which I believe to be the best in the world. Words can’t describe the explosion of flavors and textures those dishes can create. My favorite restaurant is Bestia in Downtown Los Angeles. Their food, along with service, ambience and attention to detail, make it an exceptional culinary experience.

 WB: If you could be anywhere in the world, right now- where would that be? Doing what? With whom?

AS: Nuvata has been growing so rapidly and we are now in the throes of building our distribution network. I have not taken my foot off the gas pedal so I’ve cancelled two separate trips I’d planned to Bangkok and Hawaii: I could really use some down time right now - perhaps on a remote island by myself and with a Nuvata vape. I’d like to relax on the beach, listen to the sound of seagulls and waves, absorb the essence of life and be perfectly present in that moment. In those kinds of quiet moments, I tend to get my best ideas!  

 Angad Singh Pasricha is: (Andy Singh), Founder and CEO of Nuvata