Deep Cuts Live

DEEP CUTS – SEASON 1, EPISODE 27: JEFF HAUGEN, CRUX CIGARS

Have you ever wanted to go and start your own business in a niche market? You may want to listen to this interview with Jeff Haugen of Crux Cigars first! Jeff shares his story of how he went from working in retail to creating his own premium cigar brand and the challenges he's faced along the way. Jeff emphasizes the importance of having a passion for your work and brands and how pursuing monetary gains isn't always the best goal for any entrepreneur or business.

DEEP CUTS – SEASON 1, EPISODE 26: RAM RODRIGUEZ, EL ARTISTA CIGARS

An interview with Ram Rodriguez, CEO of El Artista Cigars. Ram reveals his unexpected career in the tobacco industry, his family's business. Ram fields listeners questions about tobacco and cigar blending and also provides the stories behind some of his company's well-known brands, including Big Papi by David Ortiz.

DEEP CUTS – SEASON 1, EPISODE 25: JOSHUA HABURSKY, PREMIUM CIGAR ASSOCIATION

An interview with Joshua Habursky, Director of Federal Affairs for the Premium Cigar Association (PCA). Joshua talks about Substantial Equivalence (SE), a part of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's compliance for premium cigar and other tobacco products. While discussing SE's overall impact on the industry and new and existing products, Joshua also touches on advocacy and how retailers, manufacturers and consumers can band together to bring about positive change for the premium cigar industry in the U.S.

DEEP CUTS – SEASON 1, EPISODE 24: BRAD WINSTEAD, CASA DE MONTECRISTO, INC.

An interview with Brad Winstead, CEO of Casa de Montecristo, Inc. Brad's two-decades long career in the tobacco industry began in retail and since then he's dealt with sales, marketing and finally made his way back to retail as the CEO of the franchise, Casa de Montecristo, which has locations across the U.S. Brad shares his experience with improving the in-store experience for consumers and how retailers can better prepare themselves for future disruptions caused by COVID-19 and other unexpected events.

DEEP CUTS – SEASON 1, EPISODE 23: SHIAH GOLDBERG, CASA DE MONTECRISTO BY PRIME CIGAR & WHISKEY BAR

An interview with Shiah Goldberg, general manager at Casa de Montecristo by Prime Cigar & Whiskey Bar. Shiah shares how he first got into cigars and the hospitality industry. Shiah talks about the unique setup of his business, which is both a spirits bar and cigar lounge, and it's eclectic customer mix of tourists and Miami locals. Shiah also shares his hopes for other retailers coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic.

DEEP CUTS – SEASON 1, EPISODE 22: ANGELA YUE, LORD PUFFER CIGARS

In this interview with Angela Yue, she discusses her background in tobacco retail in the San Diego area. Angela talks about the branding and special considerations that went into Lord Puffer Cigars, a tobacco retail business that she co-founded and works at. Angela talks about the challenges of being a tobacco retailer in California and her plans to expand her brand to Florida. She also talks about using her platform and business to help support organizations like the Cigar Family Charitable Foundation, which provides educational opportunities to children in the Dominican Republic.

DEEP CUTS – SEASON 1, EPISODE 21: PHILIP SEGAL IV, HAVANA PHIL'S CIGAR COMPANY

An interview with Philip Segal IV, owner of Havana Phil's Cigar Company. Philip shares the story of his journey into the premium cigar retail business following a life changing event. He provides a personal account of how the COVID-19 has impacted his small business but how his manufacturing partners and customers have banded together to help him get through it. Philip also talks about the cigars his customers are buying and the value of educational opportunities for retailers and their customers, such as Davidoff's Camp Camacho.

DEEP CUTS – SEASON 1, EPISODE 20: CORINTO TALANCA, BOSS CIGARS

An interview with Corinto Talanca, owner of Boss Cigars in Carrollton, Georgia. Corinto shares how he and his business partner approached opening their own cigar lounge and how they set out to make it different from other cigar stores in their area. He also talks about some of the buying habits of his customers, revealing what sort of cigars he seeks out and what cigars his customers are actually buying.

DEEP CUTS – SEASON 1, EPISODE 19: FRED VANDERMARLIERE, J. CORTÈS

An interview with Fred Vandermarliere, CEO of J. Cortès, a family-owned company that makes cigars. Fred shares his family's story and its history in business and the cigar business. He also provides background on how his family came to work with the Oliva family and eventually how the opportunity came to acquire Oliva Cigars. Fred provides his own philosophy of when an acquisition makes sense for a company but why a hands-off approach can lead to big results for both companies.

DEEP CUTS – SEASON 1, EPISODE 18: ABE FLORES, PDR CIGARS

An interview with Abe Flores, master blender and founder of PDR Cigars. Before he entered the cigar making business, Abe was a programmer and also worked in retail. Attention to detail and consumer behavior were his main focuses and gave him the knowledge needed to make a premium cigar brand that would appeal to the masses. Listen to his story and how in a short amount of time he was able to go from unknown to one of the Dominican Republic's most promising new cigar makers and brand owner.