657. Waziri Garuba, CEO of Harlem Labs, Introducing G.R.I.O.T

Waziri Garuba, creator of G.R.I.O.T and CEO of HarlemLabs, talks about how he was inspired by the limitations of Siri and where the name for his custom AI persona, G.R.I.O.T, comes from. He  integrates several platforms including n8n.io, 11 Labs, Vercel, and it can be integrated with an LLM of choice, including Claude. The system operates using an agentic workflow where a central brain assesses inputs via webhooks. Incoming queries are classified into four categories: direct, tools, complex, or schedule-based to determine the appropriate routing. He explains how his agent can talk to the platforms.

The First Automation

Waziri describes how he built his first automation which was an auto email response maker designed to monitor Gmail every minute. The agent reviews unread messages and drafts responses in his specific writing style while logging actions in a spreadsheet. His current evolved system uses a contact map to identify known contacts and manages inbox organization through classification and labeling.

Tracking Health and Fitness

Waziri talks about how he uses G.R.I.O.T in his personal life. He calls it G.R.I.O.T in the Garage. Waziri utilizes a Notion database to track health reports and personal fitness goals. The G.R.I.O.T agent can access this data to design customized workouts and automatically add them to his calendar. He demonstrates how the agent can interact with his calendar to move appointments or set reminders based on terminal tasks.

The Technical Landscape

Waziri explains how G.R.I.O.T can integrate with many tools and finds the best tool for the job. The technical landscape consists of specialized sub-agents for platforms like Airtable, Google Drive, Monday, and Notion. These agents act as "appendages" that handle specific tasks such as searching files or managing relational databases. Waziri utilizes Tavily, an AI-driven search tool used by developers. It operates like Perplexity to help the agents find real-time information.

Mobile Accessibility

Waziri  interacts with G.R.I.O.T through Telegram, allowing him to send voice memos while on the go at the gym or traveling. This mobile interface enables him to delegate research, schedule follow-ups, or draft emails using simple spoken commands. He prefers Telegram over other messaging apps because it offers easier integration with n8n for building custom workflows. He explains how it helps him manage his emails, both incoming and backlog, and newsletters.

The Finance Tools

A dedicated suite of finance tools helps Waziri manage debt, income tracking, and expense reporting through QuickBooks and Google Sheets. The system implements a behavioral mechanism to automate saving ten percent of incoming funds into a separate account. One specific agent provides regular reports on interest rates for student loans and credit cards to help prioritize debt repayment strategies.

Professional Services

Waziri serves CEOs and high-level executives by helping them map out their operational needs before implementing AI tech stacks. He offers an eight-week course called the Operators Map at theoperatorsmap.com to teach governance and automation design. His business engagements focus on helping operators transition from manual processes to efficient, automated systems through HarlemLabs.com.

This episode on Umbrex: https://umbrex.com/unleashed/episode-657-waziri-garuba-ceo-of-harlem-labs-introducing-g-r-i-o-t/

Video permalink: https://umbrex.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/G.R.I.O.T%20Demo.mp4

Timestamps:

00:02: Introduction to G.R.I.O.T Persona 

06:12: Automating Email Management 

12:15: Personal Health and Task Integration 

17:24: Agent Architecture and Tooling 

37:53: Mobile Accessibility via Telegram 

38:53: Financial Automation Systems 

43:36: Professional Services and Education

Links:

HarlemLabs website: https://www.harlemlabs.com/

Operators Map website: theoperatorsmap.com

Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com.

*AI generated timestamps and show notes.