Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Laura Garcia, Co-Founder of Couture Cigars, located in Dallas, TX, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Our business is Couture Cigars, a mobile cigar company servicing both high-end clients to the masses at outdoor events around Dallas/Ft Worth, Texas, and beyond. We equip our services with the hospitality treatment not found in most cigar servicing companies, coupled with an Italian Piaggio Apé vehicle serving as our mobile retail unit.
Tell us about yourself
I have been working in the event marketing industry for many years, having worked with most major spirit brands and others at festivals, major concerts, private events, to trade shows, and the idea to create the mobile service for Couture Cigars with my partner Rikki Rincon was a natural. What motivates me daily is meeting new people, the joy of having new clients experience our hand-rolled cigars, and taking our Italian Piaggio to events. Cigar aficionados and non-cigar smokers just love the experience, and that alone makes us look forward to this experience each and every time. Our customer base has been in place for years in the corporate environment, from live entertainment and marketing my partner has been doing for a long time. We both look forward to providing this Couture experience.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
As a business owner, I would say making a dream an actual reality, from the idea to the business process of applying for our permit to sell, marketing plan, and getting our first sale, which was from someone that had been waiting for us to launch. Our biggest accomplishment will always be each and every customer. Our success is what they mean to us.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
This would be to remain consistent in all you do with a very positive mindset. It's not hard for my partner and me; we are on the same page and begin our day fully charged, ready to win. The hardest part is ensuring you manage your budget well; if you are not great at this, make sure you delegate that to one who is. As partners, we balance one another as I run day-to-day operations as Rikki, who also manages day-to-day creative, media, and marketing that visualizes our goals to win. We are very fortunate to have this.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
I would honestly say to see your business succeeding to draw that energy towards you. Have a business strategy and guidelines, if you will to maintain order and set goals and make sure you accomplish them. Never ever doubt yourself.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.couturecigars.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/couturecigarsmobile
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/couturecigars/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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