When I was in the Marine Corps, I usually worked part-time jobs for fun and extra money. I found that I liked working retail because it gave me the opportunity to interact with the public. I retired from the Corps in 1990 and wasn't quite sure what I wanted to be when I grew up. I answered an ad for a retail manager's position with Hiland's, a chain of tobacco stores located mostly in southern California. I was taught the business by the best, Jerry Hiland. He was a terrific mentor. In no time at all, I became a "Tobacconist". I remained with his company for nine years, moving to Las Vegas in 1992 to manage the one store in the Meadows Mall. That store in now closed.

I worked briefly for a company called Cigarettes Cheaper, but was not satisfied because of the limited cigar sales involved. After that I worked as a store manager for Freyboy Tobacco. It was quite an experience running a cigar store on the Strip. I met a lot of interesting people, but usually only saw them once because they were tourists. Also, quite a few celebrities frequented the store and the steakhouse next door. During my time with that company I got the urge to become my own boss. At one time, I was negotiating a deal to buy Don Yeyo Cigar Factory. The owner decided not to sale. I had known Jonny Devito, owner of Havana Cigar Company for a long time. One day I stopped in just to say Hi and he asked if I still wanted to buy my own store. And, as they say, the rest is history.