Robin Blue, Blue Smoke ATL | Deep Cuts Live, Episode #164

Season 6 of Deep Cuts Live continues with the return of Robin James, founder of Blue Smoke ATL, for a conversation on creativity, entrepreneurship, and carving out a unique lane within the premium cigar industry. Robin’s work sits at the intersection of function and design—handcrafting cigar pokers that double as statement pieces. In this episode, she shares how a simple idea turned into a growing business, evolving from direct-to-consumer sales to retail, wholesale, and distribution channels. The conversation explores: * The creative process behind designing custom cigar accessories * How COVID-era demand accelerated early business growth * The shift from individual sales to retail and wholesale expansion * Challenges marketing cigar-related products in a restricted social media environment * Why in-person experiences still outperform digital when it comes to product discovery * Building a brand through relationships, consistency, and word-of-mouth Robin also discusses her plans to expand Blue Smoke ATL into a broader accessory line, while reflecting on what it means to stay adaptable in an industry that continues to evolve. This episode offers a different perspective on the cigar business—one rooted in craftsmanship, creativity, and solving overlooked problems in the smoking experience. ============================================= Subscribe to Deep Cuts Live for more conversations with the people shaping the premium cigar industry. Visit deepcutslive.com for more episodes and updates. ============================================= Website: deepcutslive.com YouTube: youtube.com/deepcutslive Instagram: instagram.com/deep_cuts_live Facebook: facebook.com/deepcutslive