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Full Harvest Moonz is a women-owned and operated recreational cannabis dispensary with locations in Lowell and Haverhill, Massachusetts. Uniquely, they harness the therapeutic properties of plant medicine – and not just cannabis. 

They pride themselves in helping people align with the right products to bring healing to the body, mind, and spirit. As the BONS 2021 & 2022 Editors’ Choice Winner of the Best North Shore Dispensary, Full Harvest Moonz is known for providing its customers with the highest quality cannabis products, customer service, and education.

As a proud sponsor of the 2023 and 2024 TeeHC Open, Full Harvest Moonz founders Michaela Ristuccia and Janet Kupris spoke to us about growing their business through networking. 

What inspired you to start Full Harvest Moonz?

Janet and Michaela are known in their circles for being passionate, intelligent women. It was through a combination of passion and necessity that they started a cannabis dispensary in Massachusetts with a focus on holistic education.

“We saw a gap in the market for recreational cannabis, and we felt we could offer a unique solution that wasn’t being fully addressed especially in educating the public about this magnificent plant,” they told us. 

On a personal level, they wanted to create something that aligned with their values and had a positive impact on others, a notion many of us can understand. “The idea of building something from scratch and seeing it grow was incredibly motivating.”

What helped you grow the most in your first few years of business?

As a tight-knit industry, cannabis founders often see the most significant growth from networking. Although funding, marketing efforts, and regulations can all play a role in the process, almost all our TeeHC Open attendees, vendors, and sponsors tell us that building genuine professional relationships has been pivotal to their success.

Janet and Michaela echoed the same sentiments, saying “In the early years, the most significant growth came from building a strong network and seeking out mentorship.” Connecting with other entrepreneurs and industry experts always provides valuable insights and guidance. 

They go on to say, “Additionally, being adaptable and willing to learn from both successes and failures helped refine our approach and strategy. Customer feedback was also crucial in shaping and improving our offerings to better meet their needs.” 

Whether it’s with mentors, peers, or customers, networking and building relationships in the cannabis community is extremely important for new and established businesses alike. 

What’s your best piece of advice for other entrepreneurs?

“My best piece of advice is to stay resilient and keep learning. Entrepreneurship is a journey full of ups and downs, and it’s important to remain flexible and open to new ideas. Surround yourself with a supportive network of mentors, peers, and advisors who can offer different perspectives and guidance. Most importantly, never lose sight of your passion and purpose, as they will be your greatest motivators during challenging times. 

Additionally, growth comes by always pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. Sometimes, the most valuable lessons come from opportunities and experiences that don’t always work out the way you have planned.”

Full Harvest Moonz at the 2024 TeeHC Open

Full Harvest Moonz offers a unique experience in-store to its customers, focusing on a boutique-like feel with the same open arms and judgment-free education that you can expect from your closest friends. As a proud sponsor of the TeeHC Open, the local Massachusetts-based team knows a lot about starting and scaling a cannabis business, building community, and centering education and experience.

“We are so excited to get to connect with other individuals in the cannabis community. We hope to gain meaningful relationships in the industry that will allow for a successful partnership in the future.”

From wholesale partnerships to co-branded educational workshops, the opportunities for collaboration are endless. Full Harvest Moonz team is the evening bar sponsor at the 2024 TeeHC Open event!