Molon Labe’s Steve Bartell is “All-In”
People called Steve Bartell crazy for getting into the cigar business. Still, when you have lived the cigar life since childhood, it’s anything but crazy. Bartell — owner and president of Molon Labe Cigars — is all in and has an “intent” to make his brand global. He talked with Cigar Life Guy about his […]
Small Business Champion Dr. Gaby Kafie
Dr. Gaby Kafie has been living the cigar life since he smoked his first cigar as a teen. He is also the founder of the Boutique Cigar Association and Kafie Cigars and Coffee. Since then, he has been advocating for family-run cigar businesses. Kafie spoke with Cigar Life Guy about the reflective aspects of a […]
HERficionado® Octavia Toliver Talks Finding Community in Cigars
Octavia Toliver, founder of Atlanta Cigar Week, CEO of HERficionado, and a true Sister of the Leaf (SOTL), has lived the cigar lifestyle for nearly two decades. She is as passionate about cigars as she is about curating cigar events and building a welcoming and comfortable community for women in the industry. She talked with […]
Meet New PCA Head and Top Cigar Advocate Joshua Habursky
Working in Washington, Joshua Habursky takes pride in earning a reputation as the “cigar guy.” Recently named the Executive Director of PCA, Habursky has been living the cigar life and advocating for the cigar industry for over a decade. He spoke to Cigar Life Guy about his start in Washington as a lobbyist, building bridges […]
How Ron Smith Made Dallas Leaf a Community Powerhouse
A true sense of “community” is about supporting each other and giving back. No one knows that better than Ron Smith, founder and CEO of Dallas Leaf LLC. What started as a small cigar club has evolved into several subsidiaries that sponsor events, support Black-owned businesses, and provide for charities. Smith talked to Cigar Life Guy […]
How Fouad Kashouty Crafts Freemason Identity Through Cigars
Crafting Freemason identity through cigars began as a way to raise money for a scholarship. Ten years later, Fouad Kashouty and his wife Romy aim to make Hiram & Solomon Cigars a household name. Although he’d been smoking cigars for a long time, Kashouty had no connection to the cigar industry other than knowing what he liked […]
From Passion to Principle Cigars: Darren Cioffi’s Cigar Journey
The founder and owner of Principle Cigars, Darren Cioffi, may not remember his first premium cigar experience, but his extraordinary designs and extensive portfolio are challenging to forget. Cioffi, a self-proclaimed “paper” guy and cigar guy, entered the cigar life by collecting vintage cigar bands. His love of cigars grew with his passion for antique graphics and […]
Stolen Throne Cigars: Interview with Lee Marsh
Lee Marsh, the founder of Stolen Throne Cigars, was a prolific cigar smoker long before he started making them. Now, he’s making a name for himself and the Stolen Throne line by doing things his way. Marsh talks about the recent premium cigar victory over the FDA, connecting with the consumer, and the importance of […]
Cigar Pxrn: Interview with Founder James Lee
It’s hard to forget a name like Cigar Pxrn, but former NFL tackle and Cigar Pxrn founder James Lee was going for bold. There may be no better way to express love and appreciation for cigar life than donning Cigar Pxrn apparel. Lee talked with Cigar Life Guy. He spoke about the life-changing first premium […]
Howard Gumbs Jr. of Howard G Cigars: Interview
Entrepreneur Howard Gumbs Jr. has never balked at a challenge, and after launching Howard G Cigars amidst the pandemic, he has never looked back. A true brother of the leaf, Howard is building his legacy with the All-Pro Series and his newest line, The Perfect Round. Howard talks to Cigar Life Guy about his start in […]