When cigar smokers think of savoring their favorite blend, most simply think of smoking it. However, Stacey Bozeman has given a whole new meaning to the notion of “savoring a cigar”. Bozeman, the founder and owner of Smoked the Collection, has transformed the smoking experience into a fashion statement. From hat bands to bracelets and beyond, Bozeman’s designs extend the life of the smoking experience, making it a permanent part of your life and wardrobe. She spoke to Cigar Life Guy about her inspiration, her best advice for women in the cigar industry, and what she loves about cigar culture.
First Premium Cigar Experience
Cigar Life Guy: Tell me about your first premium cigar experience.
Stacey Bozeman: My first premium cigar experience happened in 2015 while on a cruise to the Bahamas with one of my friends. This particular night, it was late, and I wasn’t ready to call it a night, so I purchased my first of many cigars. I had always loved the smell of cigars and wanted to try them, but I didn’t want to be judged because I was fresh off the church scene, and none of my friends smoked. Of course, being away on a cruise where nobody knew me, I didn’t have to worry about any of that. My cigar of choice that night was a Romeo Y Julieta. To make a long story short, I was locked in from that day forward! Along with that came a new perspective, a new community, a new love.
One-of-a-Kind Products in the Cigar World
Cigar Life Guy: Smoked the Collection’s charm bracelets are a unique product in the cigar world. What was your inspiration?
Stacey Bozeman: Our inspiration came from the culture itself. Every cigar label represents a moment, a conversation, or a connection from the person who smoked it. Instead of letting that story end in an ashtray, we wanted to turn something temporary into something timeless. That’s where fashion comes in. Taking labels from cigars that have been enjoyed and giving them new life as statement pieces allows people to carry those experiences with them. Bringing the two together felt natural. A prime example: we recently received a custom request from a father who enjoyed a cigar with his son for the first time. He dated the label on the back and had us incorporate it into a bracelet for his son. Each bracelet isn’t just an accessory. It’s a memory, a conversation starter, and a reflection of cigar culture honored through style. Our tagline represents that: “Wear what you smoke and smoke what you wear.” If you know me, then you know that fashion and cigars are my weaknesses and my strengths.
Cigar Life Guy: Tell us a bit about your bracelets and other products available from Smoked the Collection.
Stacey Bozeman: The cigar bracelet is our biggest-selling item. I think the reason for that is that it represents each customer’s palate. They get to choose which labels go into their bracelet, and of course, those labels are the cigars that they smoke the most. What I think is very cool is that we found that our biggest-selling cigar brand of bracelets is also the biggest-selling cigar brand in cigar shops. It just makes sense.
Another unique item that we introduced is the cigar hatband. A big fashion statement in the cigar community is the fedora. Like the bracelets, the customer has the option of picking their favorite labels to incorporate into their hatband. The hatband fits around the fedora and turns it into a majestic headpiece like no other! It’s the piece that keeps on giving because the customer is able to transport the band from one fedora to the next.
Last but not least, the final product I want to highlight is our button rings. Surprisingly, the biggest buyers of our rings are men. The rings stretch to fit. The crown of the ring is a cigar button of choice that can be popped out and replaced with a different cigar brand each day if you so choose.
These aren’t all of the items that we have, but hopefully I’ve given you an idea of how and why our pieces fit into the cigar lifestyle. I would also like to mention another unique custom option that we offer. Instead of cigar labels, we can also incorporate logos, pictures, or sports teams into any product that you want. This has been a huge game-changer for us, as everyone likes that one thing that’s unique in their everyday life.
Women in the Cigar Industry
Cigar Life Guy: Women in the cigar industry are often overlooked. What advice would you give to women entering the industry and women who smoke cigars?
Stacey Bozeman: Men have an established table that was not designed for women. As a woman who is also a sought-after vendor, I have to bring my own table to 99% of the spaces I’m invited to. That, in itself, inadvertently represents a learning experience and an opportunity. Waiting for the industry to provide a table for you is not acceptable anymore. Bring your own, even if you have to build it from the legs up! Walk with confidence and integrity, and let what you bring to the table speak for you. And on the backend, be intentional about mentoring other women as they come into the industry. If you’re a woman who just loves smoking cigars, the best advice I can give is to simply enjoy it!
Challenges in the Cigar World
Cigar Life Guy: What has been the biggest challenge you have faced in the cigar industry, and how did you overcome it?
Stacey Bozeman: The biggest challenge I’ve faced thus far is not realizing in the very beginning that I needed to trademark and obtain a copyright when it came to developing and protecting my brand. Not having that protection opened the floodgates for imitators, and I never want my products to be confused with inferior versions of my creations. So one of the most immediate and significant things that we did was provide a Certificate of Authentication with each order. That was our way of saying, “Hey, we will not be willingly duplicated, but just in case we are, here is what our craftsmanship stands for and guarantees.” The next thing we did to overcome it was to hire a trademark attorney. We trademarked our logo and tagline and applied for a copyright on our bracelet, which was granted.
The Cigar Community and Beyond
Cigar Life Guy: What is your favorite aspect of the cigar community and the cigar life? What makes cigar smokers so unique?
Stacey Bozeman: Honestly, my favorite aspect is the relationship between the cigar smoker, the lounge owners, and the manufacturers, and the fact that my products represent all three regardless of the brand. My product speaks to all palates and aspects. It relates to cigars at any given time. Cigar smokers are unique because cigar smoking is attached to a lifestyle, and as opposed to a habit. As cigar smokers, we integrate and value relaxation and camaraderie.
Cigar Life Guy: Aside from cigars, what is a passion of yours that most people don’t know about?
Stacey Bozeman: I’m quietly passionate about being the person I want to see in others towards me. That’s very important to me. When I say quietly, I mean I don’t project, but I do actively protect what’s reflected in my immediate space. I know that puts a target on my back, but it intentionally holds me accountable. The only cross that I have to bear is mine, so how I’m handled can’t affect that in any shape, form, or “fashion”; no pun intended.
Keep up with Stacey and Smoked the Collection.
photo credit: Stacey Bozeman