We recently connected with Ami Ekpaji and have shared our conversation below.

Ami , appreciate you joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

It was the 1st week of lockdown and Friday was approaching. I requested off because this was my 1st time working from home, home schooling, and it was a pandemic. Later that night I went to my friend’s house for a gathering. We eat, laughed, danced, and TikToked. The next morning I woke to extreme bleeding and pain. I was taken into the hospital by an ambulance.. I was in and out the hospital for a month before being admitted. While home during that month I reached out to a friend with a cannabis business that sold CBD and my cousin who has a holistic store with CBD products. I tried smoking CBD but I didn’t have the desire to smoke at all. I decided to make oil and cook with it. I watched Netflix’s “Cooking With Cannabis” which’ inspired meals and techniques. I was making a lil scrub every night on my spoon. I decided I wanted jar and remembered I had CBD oil. So I made the lip scrub and handed out samples to people who brought edibles from me. One friend said she need some because her face was breaking out. I thought “ It’s honey and sugar…you won’t say my products broke you out!”. I went to the herbal store and out inspired by the ingredients. I went home and made a facial wash and mask. Gave them to that friend and some others and got feedback. I switched up the formula a little. I asked a friend to help me with my business name. She said “High Maintenance” since I’m so bougie. Then I had a business coach call with the friend in cannabis. She suggested to add something to make it exclusive and switch up the spelling. I came up with Hygh Maintenance Society, for the bougie canna lover. My company is a lifestyle brand offering accessories, skincare, fashion, events, and more. I began vending The Cannabis Night Market in Philly and other events. I asked to come to Arkansas to bend a festival. I talked my cousin into going and we had a really good time. Then I went on a 2 week tour of the East Coast with 7 women in cannabis. We toured labs, farms, dispensaries, and more!

Lately, I’ve been focusing more on the fashion aspect of the brand. In 2020, I designed an odorless and waterproof handbag. Recently, I designed a silk satin scarf scarf that read “Elevate Hygher!!”. A take on The First Lady’s quote “When they go low. We go high”. Mine is “When they low. We get hygh.” . I look forward to collaborating with other women in the industry and more events.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I got into the cannabis industry because I’ve been a consumer for years, it’s a natural healing planet (no matter how consumed), and it’s giving me the opportunity to combine a lot of my passions together. For instance, I love practicing yoga and meditation. I was practicing as forms of therapy and self care. People began asking to practice with me and my friend asked if I’d host a class at her place. Hygh Meditation and Yoga was created. I have co lead yoga on the East Coast Cannabis Tour and Canna Med Show PA. I lead sessions on video shoots. I make a CBD based blended that assists with clear the lungs of mucus and bacteria and pass them out. The class starts with a light flow of yoga and ending in meditation. My company partners with Sunflower Spaces on several events. Such as Elevated Mama, a spa day for mothers interested in cannabis. I’ve collaborated with Muse Amour candles on events like Puff&Pour where guest get one of my blends and learns how to pour candles. They enjoy vegan options from SC Catering, good vibes, and vendors. Recently, I created an event Winr Down Weednesday. A wine infused come does a wine tasting happy hour and guests and can shop my products and more! Readers are able to find me on IG and Facebook @HyghMaintenanceSociety_
@HyghMaintenanceSocietyEats @Hygh_Maintenance_Society @HyghMaintenance_Society.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

One morning I woke up to take my son to school. I looked out the window just to check outside. My car was gone! I had parked in a bus zone but I had done this for 3 years. So I knew my car was stolen. I had vend the day before and would be vending again the next day. So I left all my items in my car. I just gotten my 2nd table and product case. I was finally organized with my products and tables. Oh and I I just gotten my car fixed days prior. All I had was my back up times once the ones in the cases were sold. Thankfully I my friend Sunflower helped me a lot with getting places and being supportive. I slowly rebuilt up my cases and got an amazing tent that was better than before. I thought when my IG account that was a setback. Which at the time sort of was but nothing compared to my business and car being stolen at once.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

A lesson I had to unlearn and still working on is “Going with the demand”. Just because people/customers demand something doesn’t mean you need to add it to your business even if it relates. Does it fit what you’re doing at the time? Is it in your budget? Is it something that fits your company? Just because it fits your company for what someone else sees for it doesn’t mean you need to go with it. Take feedback and advice but remember you vision/plan. It’s your dream you’re building.

Contact Info:

• Website: HyghMaintenanceSociety.com
• Instagram: HyghMaintenanceSociety_
• Facebook: Hygh Maintenance Society

Image Credits
I took the photo.