Higher Collective, the cannabis retail brand committed to fostering a new business model that champions social equity, opened its third location in Connecticut on Thursday, November 2, 2023.

Higher Collective New London

The new store, located at 595 Bank Street, New London, CT 06320, promises to bring a fresh and inclusive cannabis experience to the heart of the Whaling City.

A Revolutionary Retail Concept

Higher Collective New London states that they are not just another retail shop; but a beacon of community, diversity, and innovation within the cannabis industry.

With a strong commitment to social equity, Higher Collective aims to redefine the cannabis retail experience by offering a wide range of high-quality products and services, bringing a new level of inclusivity to the local cannabis community.

“We’re thrilled to continue our journey of transforming the cannabis industry with the opening of Higher Collective New London,” said Patrik Jonsson, Founder of Higher Collective. “From our partnership with Angie Lewis, Dispensary Owner in Killingly, to collaborating with Yanira Wolfgang-Pinto, Dispensary Owner in Willington, and now Tori Garrett, the owner of Higher Collective New London, we’ve had the privilege of kicking off the Higher Collective brand with a remarkable group of women. Each of them brings a unique and compelling perspective on the power of cannabis and is uniquely committed to enriching the communities they serve.”

Offerings

The Higher Collective Group is proud to offer a variety of cannabis products, including flowers, edibles, pre-rolls, and vape cartridges, all with varying levels of THC and onset times, ensuring that every customer can find the right product for their individual preferences.

Higher Collective New London will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays.

For more information, visit their website.

BeautyNBrushes has announced the launch of the world’s largest Black beauty booking directory.

The site offers women of color access to a comprehensive listing of over 2000 professional stylists in 20 cities.

BeautyNBrushes Fills A Market Need

BeautyNBrushes creators say the site fills a market need to consolidate experts in the beauty and styling space who specialize in Black and brown communities.

“We have created a platform that puts our ethnic beauty first in an industry that has historically deemed our beauty needs to be an afterthought,” said Ruth Kusi Asare, CEO and Co-Founder of BeautyNBrushes.

“With my cofounder, Kwaku Watson, I have spent the last two years building a presence in the beauty industry, holding events in Toronto and LA, and curating connections among Black beauty professionals, beauty influencers, beauty businesses and clients.”

Asare and Watson’s work in building an online presence proves the success of the concept: They amassed 167,000 followers on their Instagram page before launching the directory.

The directory showcases pictures and videos of a stylist’s work—far outpacing the typical directories that simply list existing salons.

A solution to a distinct problem

The website offers a unique solution to a distinct problem.

“At this point, it should be no secret that people of color compared to other ethnicities have a more unique set of needs when it comes to beauty, yet other platforms continue to disregard them.”

The creators of BeautyNBrushes says the platform ensures that clients of color are being paired with the right beauty experts, enabling women of color to identify beauty professionals who can best meet their needs.

BeautyNBrushes users can:

• • • search for stylists in their city based on pictures and videos of the professionals work before booking an appointment.
    • save the looks and beauty inspirations they love to their profiles on the site and share them with their friends and allow other members to comment and like.
    • In addition to, having the ability to search for specific categories and find a look they love based on service, location, price and style.

The website offers services from hairstylists, makeup artists, nail technicians, lash professionals and brow experts.

Asare explained, “For our clients, we offer experts in beauty who specialize in black and brown aesthetics. In addition, the platform serves and supports the beauty professionals, connecting them with clients and assisting with the management of the appointments they receive..”

Website

BeautyNBrushes also mentors professionals, helping them find their target markets, providing online tools that help them effectively schedule and manage their businesses.

Visit the website.

NBA legend Shawn Kemp is set to open a cannabis dispensary, according to a news release.

Shawn Kemp’s Cannabis

The dispensary “Shawn Kemp’s Cannabis” located at 3035 1st Ave. in Seattle opens Friday, Oct. 30.

Kemp will be joined by Hall of Famer Gary Payton for a ribbon-cutting ceremony beginning at 12:45 p.m. The shop will officially open its doors to the public at 1 p.m.

“I’m looking forward to welcoming Sonics fans on a regular basis, starting with opening day,” Kemp said.

Making history

The six-time All Star is also making history. His store will be one of the few cannabis shops in the Seattle metro area and all of Washington to have Black ownership.

Historically, Black people have been underrepresented in the legal cannabis industry.

“I hope that Shawn Kemp’s Cannabis will be an inspiration for people to get involved with the legal cannabis industry, especially people of color,” Kemp said.

Kemp is a novice in the cannabis industry but he will be partnering with industry veterans Matt Schoeleina and Ramsey Hamide, two of the co-founders of Main Street Marijuana, for his cannabis venture. Main Street Marijuana has been a top cannabis retailer in Washington since its inception in 2014.

“My name is on this company and I have worked hard to bring Shawn Kemp’s Cannabis to fruition,” Kemp said.

“I want to provide nothing short of the best selection, customer experience and prices in Seattle. I have incredible partners in Matt Schoenlein and Ramsey Hamide to make sure we deliver on that promise to our customers, who are our top priority.”

Shawn Kemp’s Cannabis will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 11:45 p.m.