40 Under 40: Ulysses Youngblood

Ulysses Youngblood and Jill Skulsky at Major Bloom.

The business, which holds licenses for retail, delivery and manufacturing, surpassed more than $1 million in sales in less than a year and has grown from a team of 15 employees to nearly 30.

“As we approach a remarkable milestone of 1,000 consecutive days of retail operations, selling cannabis daily without interruption, we continue strengthening our commitment to the community,” he says.

Q&A

Cannabis was somewhat antagonistic in your youth and yet you jumped at the chance to join the industry – what drove that decision?

Cannabis played a paradoxical role during my youth; it was both a point of contention and a source of connection. Growing up in a bustling family business with four sisters, cannabis was the common thread that linked my social experiences. My siblings and I often shared cannabis, which was partially facilitated by my family’s entrepreneurial spirit. This spirit of togetherness was further influenced by a close family friend, who became a significant figure in my early exposure to cannabis culture.

However, my relationship with cannabis also brought challenges. At 18, I faced severe repercussions for cannabis-related offenses, including expulsion from college and even physical confrontations with law enforcement. These experiences coincided with Massachusetts’ decriminalization of cannabis in 2008, a pivotal moment that unknowingly set the stage for my future in the industry.

Despite my mother’s concerns, I completed my business degree in 2012 as cannabis reforms began sweeping through various states. The untimely loss of that influential family friend in 2013 profoundly affected me, reinforcing my resolve to forge a path as an entrepreneur in the cannabis space. By 2017, after business school, I had transitioned from a corporate management career to academia and dedicated myself to Major Bloom.

My journey into the cannabis industry was deeply influenced by the cultural and systemic challenges I faced. From biased judgments as a college student and law enforcement encounters to barriers in the corporate world, these experiences shaped my mission. I embraced the cannabis culture that had been a staple of my youth and education, driven by a desire to challenge the status quo and address industry shortcomings. My goal was to create a brand that addressed critical issues and made my family proud, reflecting the values instilled from my youth through to fatherhood.

The article I referred to discussed the culture of cannabis and that it’s something you strive to keep alive. Cannabis culture seems to vary in definition from person to person, so what exactly are you trying to preserve?

For me, preserving cannabis culture means nurturing the foundational elements of family, friendship, and community. These are the pillars that have historically defined cannabis culture beyond the commercial landscape. At Major Bloom, our mission extends to maintaining the authenticity of this culture as we serve and interact with our customers, employ and empower our team, and engage with the broader community.

Cannabis culture, to me, isn’t just about enjoying the plant; it’s about the shared experiences and the communal support that comes with it. This culture was alive long before it became an industry. For instance, my memories of spending time with my sisters, bonding over cannabis while navigating life’s highs and lows, embody the true essence of what I aim to preserve.

Moreover, our hiring practices reflect this ethos. We prioritize employing individuals who not only appreciate cannabis but also understand the broader social issues linked to it, such as the failed War on Drugs and the opportunities we now have to reverse its impacts.

As a business owner, I chose to locate Major Bloom in Worcester, a community that, despite facing challenges such as petty crime and substance abuse, has shown resilience and potential for growth. My personal experiences in this neighborhood, including confrontations with local law enforcement, reinforce my commitment to this area. By investing over $1 million to revitalize a long-vacant property, we aim to contribute to economic development and provide opportunities to uplift the community.

Ultimately, preserving cannabis culture means leveraging our resources to combat systemic oppression and foster change. It’s not merely about profit; it’s about using cannabis as a conduit for social equity, educating the younger generation, and helping them make informed choices. This cultural preservation is at the heart of what we do at Major Bloom and is integral to our vision of giving back to the community.

What has been your biggest milestone so far in the industry?

There are several milestones I hold dear, each representing a different facet of success and impact in the cannabis industry:

1. Community Investment and Family Impact: A significant personal and professional milestone has been investing over $1 million into the disenfranchised community of Worcester. This initiative is not just about economic impact but also personal growth, as it allowed my two boys to witness entrepreneurship and community engagement firsthand. As a father, instilling these values and providing such experiences to my children is incredibly fulfilling.
2. Team Diversity: At Major Bloom, we have built a team of nearly 30 employees, over 93% of whom come from diverse backgrounds. This diversity is not just a statistic but a testament to our commitment to inclusivity and equity, reflecting the core values of the cannabis culture we strive to preserve.
3. Vertical Integration: Achieving vertical integration has been a pivotal milestone. We have successfully secured four licenses, operating three key segments of the industry: manufacturing, retail, and home delivery. Vertical integration not only maximizes our control over the supply chain but also significantly contributes to fostering an equitable industry. I often lecture on this topic, sharing the influence and examples from our business and the broader industry to educate and inspire others.
4. Innovation in Content and Product Development: Our efforts to tell authentic stories through creative content and innovative product development have been vital. Launching new content series, products, and brands has been a journey of trial, error, and success. While some initiatives have failed, each has provided valuable lessons and insights, contributing to our continuous improvement and success in others.

What is on the horizon for you and your company?

1. Community Engagement and Celebrations: As we approach a remarkable milestone of 1000 consecutive days of retail operations—selling cannabis daily without interruption—we continue strengthening our commitment to the community. This celebration isn’t just about our success in operations and highlights our dedication to giving back. We’ve developed unique products tailored to reflect the spirit of our local businesses, like an herbal pre-roll crafted in homage to a local queer community bar, as part of our neighborhood menu initiative.
   Beyond our business operations, my commitment to community service is deeply integrated into our company culture. As a father, I dedicate my time and resources to supporting schools in inner-city areas and assisting families in need. This dual role of business leader and community supporter represents our core values at Major Bloom, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to enrich and uplift the communities we serve.

2. Media and Technology Ventures: We’re exploring media opportunities with the potential development of a reality series show focusing on the cannabis industry. Although a pilot shot was not picked up previously, the concept remains compelling and is under reconsideration. Additionally, we’re launching a mobile app to enhance our content delivery this year, making our brand’s story and insights more accessible and engaging. This app will also support our venture into legally cultivating specific cannabis strains and products, providing our audience with an educational and intriguing narrative.
3. Geographic Expansion: Expanding our brand’s footprint is a crucial goal. I’m originally from Southern CT, Bridgeport—where my initial cannabis experiences unfolded—and we want to expand into this and other regions. Our strategy includes licensing deals and securing new licenses, similar to our approach in Massachusetts. We aim to collaborate with other equity or diverse license holders to extend our presence into additional disenfranchised communities, emphasizing regional growth and social equity.
4. Personal and Team Development: Personal growth remains a cornerstone of our ethos. We are initiating personal development plans for our team, recognizing the importance of continuous learning and improvement. Understanding that our time is finite, we are committed to leveraging our passion for cannabis as a tool for achieving personal and professional goals. This holistic approach ensures that our team loves what they do and grows with the company and in their capacities.