Ell began his business in North Philadelphia at 22 years old, while juggling the pressures of entrepreneurship and course work. His store, on Cecil B. Moore Avenue, was broken into and looted during the protesting of George Floyd’s death. While Ell is supportive of the public outcry for change, he is devastated by the destruction of his business, and feels that targeting black owned business is not the solution. Proceeds from this GoFundMe will be used towards reparations of Smokes n’ Things, and all remaining proceeds will be donated to community reparations.