Latest news with #Ease
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Glass House Brands Inc (GLASF) Q1 2025 Earnings Call Highlights: Strong Revenue Growth Amid ...
Release Date: May 13, 2025 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Glass House Brands Inc (GLASF) reported a 49% year-over-year increase in first-quarter revenue, reaching $45 million. The company achieved a significant improvement in production costs, reducing them to $108 per pound from $182 per pound in the previous year. Retail revenue increased by 19% year-over-year, outperforming the California state retail sales decline of 13%. The company successfully transitioned to a new distribution partner with minimal disruption, demonstrating operational resilience. Glass House Brands Inc (GLASF) secured a new $50 million senior secured credit facility, strengthening its balance sheet and extending debt maturity to 2030. The company faced a 16% quarter-over-quarter decline in revenue, attributed to seasonal weakness and distributor transition. Wholesale prices in California continued to decline, with a reported 18% year-over-year drop, impacting overall sales prices. The anticipated increase in California's state excise tax from 15% to 19% poses a potential challenge to legal operators. The company experienced a $500,000 revenue loss due to the distributor change, affecting cash collections and margins. There are ongoing regulatory uncertainties related to hemp production and interstate commerce, which could impact future growth. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 7 Warning Signs with VLDX. Q: Can you clarify if there are any pending regulatory issues for exporting hemp out of California, and which markets are you targeting for hemp sales? A: Kyle Kazan, CEO: We are monitoring regulations in different states and working with California to make necessary changes. We are going CapEx light to mitigate risks and prioritize speed. Graham Ferar, President: We are targeting states where THCA flower is legal and are in discussions with potential distributors. We recognize the regulatory risks but are excited to move forward prudently. Q: Can you discuss the success of the licensing partnership with Plus and Ease in Florida? A: Graham Ferar, President: The partnership is in early stages but aligns with our belief that consumers nationwide are interested in California cannabis products. Plus is a top-selling edible brand in California, and Ease saw value in partnering with us. We are excited about the opportunity in Florida and the partnership with Ease. Q: How are you addressing the challenges with distributors in California, given past issues with financial health? A: Kyle Kazan, CEO: We have taken steps to bring co-packing in-house and now only rely on third-party logistics for distribution. This minimizes risk and ensures smoother transitions if issues arise. Our team has done a great job maintaining accounts during transitions. Q: With the production guidance for Greenhouse 2 at 275,000 pounds, do you think this is conservative given recent production improvements? A: Graham Ferar, President: We approach things conservatively, especially with new elements like supplemental lighting in Greenhouse 2. We expect to optimize and improve over time, leveraging the combination of natural sunlight and supplemental lighting for better quality and yield. Q: Can you provide insights into the year-over-year pricing changes for flower and trim? A: Mark Vendetti, CFO: Benchmark flower pricing is down mid-teens year-over-year. We saw strong pricing in early 2024, which weakened later. We are experiencing typical seasonal declines now, and it's uncertain where the bottom will be in the second half of the year. For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Pharrell Williams Revealed The Secret Behind His Gold Grillz At The Met Gala, And People Are Calling It "So Smart"
Pharrell Williams shared the surprising reason he wore grillz to the 2025 Met Gala, and I have to admit, it's pretty creative. He served as a co-chair, alongside Lewis Hamilton, A$AP Rocky, and Colman Domingo, for the biggest night in fashion, so people were eager to see what they'd show up in to highlight this year's theme, "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style." The famed artist and producer, who currently serves as Louis Vuitton's new Men's creative director, wore a pearl pinstripe suit with flared pants from the legacy brand. It might look like a regular suit jacket, but it was far from it. The jacket was literally made of pearls! I'm still blown away by the craftsmanship. Pharrell also designed custom ensembles for house ambassadors and friends of Louis Vuitton including, Doechii, Jeremy Allen White, Lisa, Pusha T, Henry Taylor, Future, Malcolm Washington, Callum Turner, and Sabrina Carpenter — whose look caused quite a stir for Pharrell allegedly advising the "Please, Please, Please" singer against wearing pants because of her height. While many celebrity attendees showed how they personally interpreted the theme, there were a few popular trends seen on the carpet among some of the attendees throughout the night, and one of them was grillz. Shaboozey, Taraji P. Henson, and Alton Mason were just a few of the stars who adorned their mouths with jewels and gems. Savion Washington / Getty Images, John Shearer / WireImage Pharrell was also a part of that list, rocking a mouth full of gold, which perfectly matched the gold accents in his accessories. But according to a recent interview with Essence, wearing grillz wasn't only a style decision for Pharrell, but a medical one. Related: 18 Times Celebs Spent An Embarrassing Amount Of Money On Something That Wound Up Totally Useless A reporter for the iconic publication asked how gold and staying fly speak to the theme of the Met Gala, and the Piece by Piece star revealed his grillz are actually Invisalign. "Well, truth be told, these are my Invisaligns," Pharrell said. "I used my Invisalign trays and got them done in gold." "It's what Dandy do," he added. "But nah, these are my Invisalign, they keep my teeth straight." And fans loved the idea: Related: 28 Celebs Who Never Seem To Get Canceled Despite Some Pretty Awful Behavior But people also gave credit where it was due, by pointing out this idea isn't new: A dope entrepreneur named Christina Rogers founded Ease, a company that allows customers to decorate their teeth while protecting them at the same time. While we can't go too much into the Protective Mouth Grill Method process because the patent is still pending, she did share details about why she created Ease. "I've seen so many people wear them and their teeth health just decline," Christina, who grew up in Houston around grillz her whole life, told PopSugar. "So I'd always wondered if there was a better way to go about it." "When I initially started seriously thinking about the brand, I was also going through a round of aligner treatment to straighten my teeth. This ended up being a key component for the company because I and so many other people wear retainers, so why not be able to get those decked out to make you actually want to keep them in?" "Essentially, the protective method is bonded to the inside of the grill," she says. "It doesn't hinder the aesthetic of the piece, so you can get any type of design, metal, or even stones like diamonds added to your grill — it's all up to you and your personal preference." I love seeing creatives see their ideas come to fruition in all forms! You can watch Pharrell's complete answer below: To see who else was at this year's Met, here's where you can find the rest of our coverage. Also in Celebrity: Amidst His Legal Battle With Blake Lively, A New Interview With Justin Baldoni Just Dropped — And His Comments Are Raising Some Eyebrows Also in Celebrity: 13 Celebs Whose Awful Met Gala Experiences Low-Key Make Me Glad I'm Too Irrelevant To Ever Be Invited Also in Celebrity: 15 Celebs Who Went From 'Wait, They Did WHAT?!' Normal Jobs To Massive Fame
Buzz Feed
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Pharrell's Genius Met Gala Gold Grillz Hack Revealed
Pharrell Williams shared the surprising reason he wore grillz to the 2025 Met Gala, and I have to admit, it's pretty creative. He served as a co-chair, alongside Lewis Hamilton, A$AP Rocky, and Colman Domingo, for the biggest night in fashion, so people were eager to see what they'd show up in to highlight this year's theme, "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style." The famed artist and producer, who currently serves as Louis Vuitton's new Men's creative director, wore a pearl pinstripe suit with flared pants from the legacy brand. It might look like a regular suit jacket, but it was far from it. The jacket was literally made of pearls! I'm still blown away by the craftsmanship. Pharrell also designed custom ensembles for house ambassadors and friends of Louis Vuitton including, Doechii, Jeremy Allen White, Lisa, Pusha T, Henry Taylor, Future, Malcolm Washington, Callum Turner, and Sabrina Carpenter — whose look caused quite a stir for Pharrell allegedly advising the "Please, Please, Please" singer against wearing pants because of her height. While many celebrity attendees showed how they personally interpreted the theme, there were a few popular trends seen on the carpet among some of the attendees throughout the night, and one of them was grillz. Shaboozey, Taraji P. Henson, and Alton Mason were just a few of the stars who adorned their mouths with jewels and gems. Pharrell was also a part of that list, rocking a mouth full of gold, which perfectly matched the gold accents in his accessories. But according to a recent interview with Essence, wearing grillz wasn't only a style decision for Pharrell, but a medical one. A reporter for the iconic publication asked how gold and staying fly speak to the theme of the Met Gala, and the Piece by Piece star revealed his grillz are actually Invisalign. "Well, truth be told, these are my Invisaligns," Pharrell said. "I used my Invisalign trays and got them done in gold." "It's what Dandy do," he added. "But nah, these are my Invisalign, they keep my teeth straight." And fans loved the idea: But people also gave credit where it was due, by pointing out this idea isn't new: A dope entrepreneur named Christina Rogers founded Ease, a company that allowed customers to decorate their teeth while protecting them at the same time. While we can't go too much into the Protective Mouth Grill Method process because the patent is still pending, she did share details about why she created Ease. "I've seen so many people wear them and their teeth health just decline," Christina, who grew up in Houston around grillz her whole life, told PopSugar. "So I'd always wondered if there was a better way to go about it." "When I initially started seriously thinking about the brand, I was also going through a round of aligner treatment to straighten my teeth. This ended up being a key component for the company because I and so many other people wear retainers, so why not be able to get those decked out to make you actually want to keep them in?" "Essentially, the protective method is bonded to the inside of the grill," she says. "It doesn't hinder the aesthetic of the piece, so you can get any type of design, metal, or even stones like diamonds added to your grill — it's all up to you and your personal preference." I love seeing creatives see their ideas come to fruition in all forms! You can watch Pharrell's complete answer below: To see who else was at this year's Met, here's where you can find the rest of our coverage.
Express Tribune
02-03-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Breaking barriers to business
While Pakistan has made commendable progress in simplifying the process of starting a business – through digitised application processes and guidance provided by the SECP – the journey remains fraught with inefficiencies. photo: file Listen to article A thriving manufacturing sector is the backbone of any economy, serving as the foundation for innovation, job creation, and reducing reliance on imports by supporting local industries. Pakistan's industrial sector continues on a downward trajectory, with falling shares in gross domestic product (GDP) and exports. The share of the manufacturing sector in GDP has declined from 20.5% in 2014 to 18% in 2024, while the share of the manufacturing sector (excluding textiles) in exports has declined from 13.6% in 2014 to 11.9% in 2024. This article is based on a recent study by the Engineering Development Board (EDB), titled Facilitating Ease of Doing Business for the Engineering Industry of Pakistan, which underscores the urgent need for reforms to address these challenges. The business landscape continues to struggle with significant barriers to entry and exit, stifling entrepreneurship, documentation, and investment. Despite government initiatives such as the one-window facility and digitisation efforts, the ground reality reveals a persistent lack of progress in creating a truly conducive environment for businesses. A streamlined, business-friendly regulatory framework could help mitigate these risks and foster a more attractive investment climate. Ease of doing business encompasses every stage of a business's lifecycle, from registration and operations to trade, sales, and even closure in cases of losses. While Pakistan has made commendable progress in simplifying the process of starting a business – through digitised application processes and guidance provided by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) – the journey remains fraught with inefficiencies. For instance, the number of steps and documentation requirements increases significantly when moving from single-member companies or associations of persons to private and public limited companies. Although these processes are standardised, they often involve repetitive paperwork and interactions with multiple government departments, leading to delays and additional costs. Foreign businesses face even greater hurdles. To operate in Pakistan – whether through a branch, representative, or liaison office – they must obtain approval from the Board of Investment (BOI). While online portals have been introduced to streamline applications, the requirement to submit physical documents highlights a lack of coordination and data-sharing mechanisms among government departments. This undermines the very purpose of the one-window facility. According to the BOI's website, the approval process takes approximately seven weeks. However, in practice, it often extends far beyond this timeline. Similarly, while the SECP registers companies within three to seven working days and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) completes tax registration in three to five working days, other steps – such as opening a corporate bank account, obtaining construction permits, and securing utility connections – can take weeks or even months. The challenges do not end with starting a business. Closing a business in Pakistan is a complex and time-consuming process, often requiring professional legal services and taking several years to complete. The process involves settling debts and liabilities, acquiring a tax clearance certificate, cancelling business registrations and licences, closing bank accounts, and deregistering the company for tax purposes. One of the most burdensome requirements is that defaulting or loss-making entities must maintain office space, a registered address, and personnel to manage documentation for at least five years after filing for a tax clearance certificate. This imposes significant financial and administrative costs on business owners, discouraging formal business closures and perpetuating the undocumented economy. To address these challenges, there is a need for comprehensive reforms aimed at streamlining both business registration and dissolution processes. For registrations, further simplification of procedures is required, particularly in areas such as firm name selection, address changes, and board restructuring. The introduction of fully integrated online payment systems and fast-track services could minimise delays and ensure efficient service delivery. For business closures, establishing clear and transparent dissolution procedures, along with online resources to guide entrepreneurs through the process, is recommended. Expedited dissolution services and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms would facilitate smoother closures while reducing financial burdens on business owners. These reforms are not merely administrative adjustments; they are critical to eliminating barriers to entry and exit, fostering a culture of documentation, and attracting both local and foreign investment. Pakistan's engineering industry – and indeed its entire business ecosystem – will benefit significantly from a more streamlined and facilitative regulatory environment. The government must prioritise these reforms to unlock Pakistan's economic potential. By addressing the inefficiencies in business processes and adopting a more investor-friendly approach, Pakistan can position itself as a competitive player in the global market. The time for action is now. THE WRITER IS A RESEARCH ECONOMIST AT THE POLICY RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF MARKET ECONOMY (PRIME), AN INDEPENDENT ECONOMIC POLICY THINK TANK
