Deep Cuts Live

AN INTERVIEW WITH HENDRIK ”HENKE” KELNER ON CIGARS, TOBACCO AND LIFE

Back in 2019, Antoine Reid traveled to the Dominican Republic to witness how premium cigars are made and how tobacco is grown. During that trip, he had the opportunity to sit down with Hendrik "Henke" Kelner and his son Klaas to discuss his career in the tobacco industry and to learn how Hendrik Kelner became one of the cigar industry's most respected cigar makers. Enjoy this special "deep cut" interview from the vault!

HE HELPED PUT BOUTIQUE CIGARS ON THE MAP (feat. Pete Johnson, Tatuaje Cigars)

In this episode of Deep Cuts Live with host Antoine Reid, Pete Johnson shares how made the jump from music to the world of cigars. Learn how Pete redefined the world of boutique cigars with his creative approach to marketing and branding, creating a brand around his desire to be different and to create a brand that didn't conform to industry standards. In addition to diving deep into the world of Tatuaje Cigars, Pete shares how he's re-investing in the future of the cigar industry through his advocacy work and support of cigar-friendly trade groups.

HE LEFT SWITZERLAND AND MOVED TO HONDURAS TO MAKE CIGARS (feat. Sébastien Decoppet, Cavalier Cigars)

In this latest episode of Deep Cuts Live with host Antoine Reid, Sébastien Decoppet talks about why he left behind his corporate job and moved from Switzerland to Honduras to learn how to make cigars. Learn how he went from knowing little about tobacco and cigars to owning his own company and being one of the cigar industry's most compelling blenders. Also joining the interview is Brian Motola, who recently joined the company as its sales director and partnered with Sébastien to start a new cigar factory, Fabrica Centroamericana de Tabaco SA (FCT).

CHATTING WITH THE FIRST LADIES OF CIGARS (Yvonne and Yvette Rodriguez, Tres Lindas Cubanas Cigars)

In this episode of Deep Cuts Live with host Antoine Reid, twin sister duo Yvonne and Yvette Rodriguez share the story of how they became the first women to launch and own their own cigar brand in the U.S., Tres Lindas Cubanas Cigars. Learn how they got their start and how they were inspired by their Afro-Cuban heritage and created multiple business ventures in an attempt to stay true to themselves and their backgrounds. They also give advice for how other entrepreneurs can start their own businesses and the one thing each person with a business idea must do in order to achieve any success.

HOW TO BECOME A SUCCESSFUL SERIAL ENTREPRENEUR (feat. Tony Bellatto, Bellatto Premium Cigars)

In this latest Deep Cuts Live with host Antoine Reid, Tony Bellatto shares his story of entrepreneurship and what inspired him to start so many businesses. Learn how Tony got into the coffee-making business, how he launched his own Rosé wine product, and the steps he took to create his own premium cigar brand. Tony also gives advice to others who are considering launching their own businesses and why you shouldn't be afraid to fail.

HOW TO BECOME A SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCER IN 2022 (feat. Ben Wills, Sisters in Smoke)

In this all new episode of Deep Cuts Live with host Antoine Reid, Ben Wills shares how she built her social media management and curation business centered around premium cigars. Learn what it really takes to become an influencer and how Ben organizes her day and approaches content creation. Ben also discusses her take on the role of women in today's cigar industry.

MASHING UP TECH WITH CIGARS (feat. Pierre Jebian, HumidifGroup USA)

In this episode of Deep Cuts Live with host Antoine Reid, Pierre Jebian shares how he went from performing on stage as a music artist to leading the creative efforts and U.S. division of HumidifGroup USA. Learn how his company is bringing NFC technology to the very traditional cigar industry and making smart packaging. He also shares some of the other tech-based and creative solutions his company is introducing to other cigar industry projects. 

DO YOU BELIEVE IN MAGIC? (feat. Kevin Nicholas, The Modern Mentalist)

In this all-new episode of Deep Cuts Live with host Antoine Reid, Kevin Nicholas shares his story of intrigue and magic. Learn what steps he took to become a magician and how he became a leading mentalist who's entertained celebrities like Ozzy Osborne. Kevin also shares how you can captivate an audience and what you need to do to wake up happy every day.

HOW HE ESCAPED THE DULL 9-TO-5 AND FOUND HIS DREAM JOB (feat. Jon Huber, Crowned Heads)

In this all-new episode of Deep Cuts Live, Jon Huber shares how he escaped the nightmare of a boring 9-to-5 and found his passion in the premium cigar world. Learn how Jon embraced curiosity to drive him to learn more about cigars and how that curiosity led him to CAO and later on to found his own company, Crowned Heads. Jon also shares the many ways he uses Crowned Heads to express his creativity.

HE LEFT NASA TO GO ALL-IN ON CIGARS (feat. Omar de Frias, Fratello Cigars)

In this latest episode of Deep Cuts Live with host Antoine Reid, Omar de Frias explains why he left behind a career in NASA to go all-in on his premium cigar brand, Fatello Cigars. Learn what the entrepreneurial journey was like for de Frias, how he built brand awareness for his product and how he discovered and embracing his "why."