Growing up in Miami, the cigar life was ordinary life for Maurice Mears. When his football career was cut short, he switched gears and set his sights on the cigar world. Mears talked with Cigar LIfe Guy about honoring his great grandfather’s legacy, the life lessons he learned from football, and becoming part of the long tradition of cigar making.
First Premium Cigar Experience
Cigar Life Guy: Tell me about your first premium cigar experience.
Maurice Mears: I actually had a cigar in the 8th grade (laughs). We had an early release day, and my good friend’s dad smoked a lot of cigars. We walked home, and his parents weren’t home. He asked if I wanted to smoke a cigar, and I said I’d try it. I don’t remember the brand, but it was a full-bodied cigar. We tried it, and I got sick. That wasn’t the best experience, but that was the first time I ever indulged in a cigar.
When I first got into smoking cigars, though, my first was a Perdomo Champagne. I had it when I played football at the University of New Mexico. My teammates and I went to a cigar lounge in New Mexico. That was the first time I enjoyed a cigar, how you’re supposed to. It was after a win against New Mexico State, so it was a celebration. I didn’t know what to choose, but I was guided to the Perdomo. So that was the first one.
Football Life and the Cigar Life
Cigar Life Guy: You were a premier athlete and a highly ranked offensive tackle before injury cut your career short. Tell us a bit about your football experiences and how they translate to the cigar world.
Maurice Mears: When I first started playing football in high school, my coach, Walt Frazier, smoked a lot of cigars. He was a big-time coach in Florida, an excellent offensive line coach, and he smoked cigars all the time. He had a cigar at practice, in the meeting room, in the weight room, so I saw cigar-smoking throughout my whole football career.
Football taught me a great deal about adversity and overcoming challenges. Starting a brand in the cigar industry, you have to have thick skin, and you have to be able to work hard. You build great friendships and fellowship among people in the cigar world, much like you do on a football team. Playing football at a collegiate level I learned how to compete. We compete with other brands, but I learned how to respect competition. In the cigar world, you appreciate what other people do and support what other people do. Transitioning to cigars was not a hard transition because it had a lot of similarities to football. It taught me to build relationships and never to give up.
Cigar Life Guy: You turned your hobby into your business. What drew you into the cigar world?
Maurice Mears: Just being from Miami and being around the culture in Miami. Cigar culture in Miami was normal. At gatherings and celebrations, or just walking down the street after a day of work, you see somebody with a cigar. People start their day with a cigar. I thought it was common. Everyone smoked.Cigars became automatic in my life, but it was also something I did to wind down and help me think. It was a hobby, but I never thought it would translate into a business. But things happen (laughs).
The JM Patriarch Brand
Cigar Life Guy: Your company, JM Patriarch, is named for your great-grandfather, James Maurice Moss, who enjoyed a cigar every day on his way home from work. Tell us a little more about his legacy.
Maurice Mears: My great-grandfather migrated from a small island in the Bahamas, a fishing island. He came over on a work visa to help build Key West. Then he migrated from Key West and came to Miami, where he worked as a car detailer. Then he worked at an art gallery on South Beach. Everybody said he always has a cigar in his mouth. He rolled cigars. You’d never see him without a cigar.
I only have vague memories of him from when I was younger. When I got older, everyone said we had the same mannerisms. People said the way I talked reminded them of him. So when I went into the cigar industry, it was a no-brainer. When I started my brand, I had to pay homage to him. He basically paved the way. He never had a chance to do something like this, so I wanted to do everything that I thought he would like. I’ve looked at old pictures of him with cigars and I’ve talked to my family about what kind of cigars he liked. I try to replicate anything I can to build his legacy into my brand.
Cigar Life Guy: How do you want consumers to perceive the JM Patriarch brand?
Maurice Mears: I want it to be perceived as a brand for everyone. It has tradition and quality. You’re going to get Grade A tobacco, Grade A presentation, and great customer service. I have a storyline behind it as well. I want the customer to grow with me as I grow in this industry.
The Cigar Community and Personal Passions
Cigar Life Guy: What is your favorite aspect of the cigar community?
Maurice Mears: The way it comes down to family. If you look at all the brands, so many come down to legacy and family. A brand starts from a certain level and can build its way up. I’m so grateful to have opportunities in this industry. Other brands support and give advice. It’s a community that embraces everyone. I like being a part of something that has such a long tradition. I like being able to grow with people and having a chance to make my own mark. The industry is so receptive and has so many opportunities. It’s about people. It’s not just about cigar makers or box makers. It brings people together. Everyone who has a passion for cigars.
Cigar Life Guy: What is one of your passions outside of cigars? What would people not know about you?
Maurice Mears: I would say family. I try to be an example for my son. I try to lead my family and work hard, and be a good citizen. My path is my passion. Setting the groundwork to leave something behind that’s memorable for my family. Living my life the right way and being an example to others.
Follow Maurice on Instagram and check out the latest from JM Patriarch Cigars here.
Photo credit: JM Patriarch