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 Cigar Life Guy about the warmth of the cigar environment, being herself, and making the Atlanta Cigar Week better and better with each passing year.
Octavia Toliver: First Premium Cigar
Cigar Life Guy: Tell me about your first premium cigar experience.
Octavia Toliver: It was around 16 or 17 years ago. I visited a cigar lounge on a first (and last!) [laughs] date. Initially, the smoke was overwhelming, and I wasn’t even sure why we were there. But, as we spent more time there, I began to feel the warmth of the environment. He helped me choose a cigar, probably something flavored, and the ambiance slowly won me over! It was a surprisingly pleasant experience, and I wanted to explore more without him! (laughs) So I did!
Cigar Life Guy: What drew you to the cigar culture, and what are your favorite aspects of the cigar community?
Octavia Toliver: What really pulled me in was the elegance and the deep sense of tradition that comes with cigar smoking. I became fascinated with the rituals and the rich history. But the beginning of my journey was a bit lonely because I didn’t feel the sense of community that we have now. That is why I started curating events. I wanted that sense of community, which is now one of my favorite aspects of the culture. Most SOTLs and BOTLs are incredibly welcoming. My network is filled with heartfelt connections with people as passionate as I am about cigars, spirits, and everything the lifestyle encompasses!
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?
Octavia Toliver: Be yourself. Don’t try to fit into the mold of the boys’ club. We women have our own strengths and superpowers. Embrace them, as this is what will set you apart! I always encourage the women in the industry to have no fear of trying new things and to keep their dignity and integrity intact. One last thing: it is easy for women to feel the need to compete with the next woman. I encourage them to fight that urge and to collaborate instead! We go much further together than apart!
Octavia Toliver: Cigar Industry Challenges
Cigar Life Guy: What is your biggest challenge in the cigar industry?
Octavia Toliver: Early on, the biggest challenge was proving that I belonged here. It hurt when some people questioned my knowledge or right to be part of this community. But over time, I realized their doubts had nothing to do with me. It was the limiting beliefs of others about what a SOTL was supposed to look like or how we should do things. This shift in mindset was truly transformative for me. After years of dedication and achieving significant milestones in the cigar community, I’ve come to a deep, unshakable recognition of my own worth and contributions. I know without a doubt that I’ve earned my place here. Now, the opinions of those who might doubt my credibility don’t carry weight anymore. I stand confident in my experience and my achievements.
HERficionado: A Female Friendly Network
Cigar Life Guy: You are the founder and CEO of HERficionado. Tell us about the female-friendly cigar network and why it’s essential to have a platform exclusively for female smokers.
Octavia Toliver: Women face different trials and joys within the cigar culture. When I first started HERficionado®, and She Smokes Too®, it was to give us a safe space to share those things lovingly and comfortably! I didn’t have that available to me when I began my journey. Despite much progress in the industry, SOTLs still encounter specific challenges and microaggressions that are unique to our experiences.
Women must have a place where they feel truly seen and heard, where our unique experiences in the cigar world can be celebrated and cherished. I have always been a part of that side of the culture. I love my guys, but I’m a true girl’s girl!
Octavia Toliver: Atlanta Cigar Week
Cigar Life Guy: You are the founder of Atlanta Cigar Week and an event curator. What goes into making a cigar event great?
Octavia Toliver: A great cigar event starts with a creative idea! What sets your event apart from the hundreds of other events nationwide? Atlanta Cigar Week® was created out of thin air. There was no blueprint of what to do nor what NOT to do. We put our ideas on paper and iterate each year to make it better and better. With each passing year, we are figuring out ways to create a new experience for our guests. It’s one of the things that makes the Atlanta market so unique; there are always new venues opening in addition to the 100+ preexisting cigar lounges and shops. However, event organizers need to take advantage of the resources at their fingertips and highlight what’s unique about their market.
Cigar Life Guy: What are you looking forward to most at this year’s Atlanta Cigar Week?
Octavia Toliver: It’s the people, always. Atlanta Cigar Week® feels like a big family reunion. We catch up, we share stories, we laugh—a lot. And I love seeing friends from across the country who mark this week on their calendars yearly. It’s extraordinary.
Follow Octavia on Instagram and check out the latest for Atlanta Cigar Week and HERficionado.
Photo credit: HERficionado