Moreover, she is the creator of She Smokes Too, an event created in 2016 that was groundbreaking in uniting female cigar smokers from all walks of life. Her story is one that will inspire you to look beyond the norm and go after whatever you want. So check out our exclusive interview below…..
How did you get your start in the industry of Cigar’s?
I was introduced to cigars when someone took me on a date to a cigar lounge. I was very young at the time so my initial reaction was, “This is strange!”, which was almost immediately followed by “Ok, I like this.” But at the time, “women in cigars” wasn’t as prominent as it is now, and it was very difficult and uncomfortable for me to navigate. It caused me to retreat into my own exploration of cigars. Fast forward to 2016, I began to curate an event called She Smokes Too® which was my way of providing women a safer space to experiment with cigars and spirits without having to be concerned with condescension and any negative stigmas associated. That event was everything I wanted my first experience to be: great atmosphere, nice drinks, like-minded and well-dressed crowd, and good music. She Smokes Too® was my first contribution to the cigar community, and it was a great catalyst for HERficionado® as a brand, and Atlanta Cigar Week®.
I was introduced to cigars when someone took me on a date to a cigar lounge. I was very young at the time so my initial reaction was, “This is strange!”, which was almost immediately followed by “Ok, I like this.” But at the time, “women in cigars” wasn’t as prominent as it is now, and it was very difficult and uncomfortable for me to navigate. It caused me to retreat into my own exploration of cigars. Fast forward to 2016, I began to curate an event called She Smokes Too® which was my way of providing women a safer space to experiment with cigars and spirits without having to be concerned with condescension and any negative stigmas associated. That event was everything I wanted my first experience to be: great atmosphere, nice drinks, like-minded and well-dressed crowd, and good music. She Smokes Too® was my first contribution to the cigar community, and it was a great catalyst for HERficionado® as a brand, and Atlanta Cigar Week®.
For our readers who don’t know that a Certified Cigar Sommelier Tobacconist
I’m a Certified Cigar Sommelier Tobacconist (CCST), which (in a nutshell) means that I am certified and well versed in premium tobacco products…cigars specifically. CCST’S are equipped to provide service in hospitality settings, and may educate consumers on technique and etiquette within the cigar lifestyle.
The Cigar industry is very male dominated, however you have definitely made a name for yourself. Gove our female readers some tips on how to stand out in a male dominated industry
As a woman in a male-dominated industry, you will stand out by default. The key is to stand out because of the work you put in, not simply because you are a woman. It is very important as women that we let our work ethic and integrity speak for us. I think that if I allowed my gender to lead, I don’t believe I would have been taken seriously in this field. It may be tough initially, but if you are delivering in a professional and consistent manner, your value to your industry will be undeniable. And the last thing, don’t be afraid to smile and be yourself, however feminine you may (or may not) be! We are WOMEN and there is power in just that!! Never be afraid to be whatever type of woman that you are simply for the sake of fitting in. I am around men 90% of the time in my line of work; but my motto is, “I smoke WITH the boys, but I am NOT one of the boys!”
Relationships are everything in your line of work. How did you and your business partners; Henry Stokes & Tony Hall come up with Atlanta Cigar Week?
Henry and I have known each other since high school and we met Tony while we were doing events. We had people coming from all over the country for the events, and my She Smokes Too® event actually made it overseas to Dubai. The conversation from out of town visitors was that no other city had a cigar scene like Atlanta. We put our brains together in 2017 and designed every detail of what we wanted Atlanta Cigar Week® to look like. We really just wanted to showcase to the world what Atlanta had to offer. What began as little more than a cigar bar crawl has turned into our 6th Annual Atlanta Cigar Week that is lifestyle-based festival that provides robust experiences and introduces attendees from all over the world to the best cigar friendly spaces and places in the city.
We have readers from all over the world who love to travel, so give our readers the TOP 4 reasons people should attend Atlanta Cigar Week, this September 12th-18th
1. Atlanta Cigar Week® is a lifestyle event that encompasses spirits, education, food, fashion, music, art, and of course cigars. ACW is enjoyed by friendly to cigar smokers and non-smokers alike.
2. The networking is unmatched. We refer to cigars as “The Ultimate Connector”. Full relationships, friendships, and business connections FREQUENTLY begin with a simple question during our events: What are you smoking? There is something about smoking cigars that relaxes people and encourages them to open up to others.
3. ACW reveals true hidden gems in the city. Each year, we implement at least a few spaces and places that are off the beaten path, but are absolutely fabulous! The courtyard at the Four Seasons Hotel was that gem last year. 85% of our attendees were not even aware it existed. The others only knew because they attended a wedding or reception there. We are returning there this year, but I can’t wait for guests to also see our NEW gem!!
4. My entire team values customer service and the guest experience over everything. Because of this, we carefully curate each detail of each event with the guests in mind. In a time where lots of small businesses are only concerned about making a quick buck, my team will SPEND our last buck making sure Atlanta Cigar Week® delivers quality to the best of our ability. Just last year, we turned down thousands of dollars from people who wanted last minute VIP access. We easily could have sold more tickets, but we had too much respect for our supporters who purchased early and were expecting to be comfortable, and have a great time. There was no way we would sacrifice their experience simply to make more money.
Whats next for Octavia Toliver?
That is the million dollar question. I have several things that I am working on, and new opportunities popping up regularly. One thing I will mention is that since the beginning of this journey, I have wanted to pave the way for more women in the cigars and lifestyle spaces. To whom much is given, much is required, and I am building a platform in which my fellow sisters of the leaf and other women within the lifestyle can build comradery, connections, and grow together. We are so much stronger together than apart.
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Photo Credits: Angela Kearney
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