About Us
Marcques Simmons
Marcques is a seasoned entrepreneur and business owner with close to 20 years experience in business branding, hospitality management, professional bodyguard services, culinary arts and commercial event design and production. Marcques holds a culinary arts degree and owned Lion’s Protective Services, LLC, a professional travel security service that employed and trained more than 45 personnel.
While maintaining successful business ventures, Marcques served as the Vice president of the Grand Emporium Corporation, was the general manager and/or equity partner to several nightclub service and entertaining businesses. Marcques is the co-owner, official, of Guilty Confessions, LLC, and has planned and executed at least 80 events that include concerts, comedy shows, and other midsize events. Marcques’ passion extends to each generation as he has been a youth leader and mentor for over 10 years.
As a long time cannabis consumer and lifelong learner, Marcques has dedicated the past 5 years to the extensive research and study of cannabis including, but not limited to: marketing manufacturing, commercial vertical, integrated systems and health and wellness benefits from multiple health ailments. Research has also included other digestible and topical uses to support MS and cancer patients throughout their journey; witnessing improvements with comfort further awakened and increased his passion to establish cannabis in mainstream society. Marcques believes that by increasing awareness, decreasing negative preconceived notions and other taboos associated with consumers he will create a synergy with cannabis companies and engage the customer community in a fun, educational, non-judgemental and welcoming environment to create authentic experiences.
Andre Williams
Since 2002 Andre has worked in various nightclubs throughout Kansas City as a bouncer or private security, as well as recently managing high-end nightclubs in Westport from 2020-2022. He was employed by Ford Motor Company from 2015-2020 and resigned during Covid to pursue nightclub management. While there, he also decided to pursue his Class A CDL. In tandem, he continued in the hospitality industry by cooking in various kitchens around KC & the Plaza. He's bounced around a lot, but it's always been on purpose. He's now looking forward to making his dream a reality ... opening a lounge with his childhood friends.
Marcus Smith
As a graduate of Southeast High School and a life-long Knight, Marcus Smith is a Culinary Enthusiast with over a decade of successful experience in kitchen management and the food service industry. He served as Kitchen Manager for the award-winning soul food restaurant, Peachtree Buffet, in Kansas City, MO, where he oversaw full-scale catering services and special events, as well as led the training and management of all kitchen staff to support expansion to three additional locations in the surrounding area. Mr. Smith leveraged his eight-year tenure with the Peachtree, and transitioned into Food Service
Management for the Kansas City Missouri School District where he served board members, officials, and staff members.
In 2014, Smith relocated to Cincinnati, OH with his family and shifted to the Supply Chain industry, focusing on warehouse management of up to 100 plus team members per shift. However, he never completely left behind his passion for food and took on part-time opportunities to maintain culinary
sharpness.
In 2017, he and his family relocated to Charlotte, NC where he collaborated virtually with Marques and Andre to ideate and develop Alchemy, bringing a one-of-kind consumption experience to his hometown.
