We were lucky to catch up with Carolyn Dumas recently and have shared our conversation below.
Carolyn, appreciate you joining us today. One of the things we most admire about small businesses is their ability to diverge from the corporate/industry standard. Is there something that you or your brand do that differs from the industry standard? We’d love to hear about it as well as any stories you might have that illustrate how or why this difference matters.
Established in 2018, Bon Vie Mobile Cigar Lounge was the first mobile cigar lounge in NC, SC and Southern VA. The idea was birthed in 2015 by researching other mobile businesses and identifying a service that has not been provided in the past.
Carolyn, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Raleigh area cigar lovers won’t have to travel far, actually not travel at all, to find a great smoking lounge, with the launch of Bon Vie Mobile Cigar Lounge, LLC. This smoking lounge on wheels opened for business in October 2018 serving the Raleigh, Cary, Durham, Chapel Hill, Greensboro and Charlotte areas.
Bon Vie Mobile Cigar Lounge, LLC, owned and operated by Carolyn Beatty Dumas, aims to bring a different and unique experience to the area. Bon Vie Mobile Cigar Lounge, LLC is the cigar lounge experience “At Your Convenience”.
“Finding a decent cigar is easy. But because of the many ‘no public smoking’ laws and regulations, finding a place to enjoy a cigar isn’t,” Dumas said. The Bon Vie Mobile Cigar Lounge aims to remedy that with the Mobile Cigar Lounge. “It’s more than a mobile lounge. It’s an environment and an experience rich in luxury and personality. An elegant extension of any celebration or occasion, it’s the perfect escape and meeting place—a space where you can relax and enjoy a shared passion”, lounge owner continued.
The mobile lounge is a 32-foot Custom Motorcoach with indoor seating for 10-12 persons maximum. It features luxurious leather seating, elegant interior décor with VIP Red Carpet entrance, 42” TV screen, satellite TV, surround audio system, onboard bathroom, multiple USB ports for complimentary cell phone charging, and custom air ventilation and purification systems. The lounge is stocked with custom ash trays, and tabletop torch lighters and cutters. Guest Requirements: Must be 21 years of age or older.
Events are staffed with a Tobacconist and Cigaristas to help guests select, cut and light their cigars, answer any questions about the cigars and generally help you have a wonderful experience. Packages range from $100/hour (4-hour minimum) up to $300/hour (4-hour minimum). Lorraine’s Patio is an added outdoor option with seating for 16-22 persons maximum. Guests can enjoy relaxing in the 10 x 20 foot covered and carpeted patio area with comfortable lounge furniture.
Bon Vie, which means ‘Good Life’ in French, continues to establish partnerships with local breweries, wine bars & wineries , golf clubs, concert and sporting venues, event center facilities, luxury automotive dealerships, and retail cigar shops for regularly scheduled events. The lounge is ideal for corporate functions, product promotions, trade shows, team building and fundraising, and is available for tailgating, birthday, anniversary, retirement, and other celebratory events.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
My goal and personal mission with Bon Vie Mobile Cigar Lounge is to educate those interested in the art of cigar smoking. There is so much to know about this industry. Our staff enjoys offering tips on selecting a cigar, proper cutting and lighting techniques and pairing suggestions with various beverages.
There are always new brands of cigars to explore, and the mobile cigar lounge business in general has grown so much since 2018. I hope that I was part of sparking someones interest in the business to the point of others starting their own mobile cigar business.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
During COVID-19 pandemic onset, when everything shut-down for months, the business really had just started to pick up momentum and public interest. We had 6-8 events booked in the first quarter of 2020 that cancelled. The majority of the 2020 & first quarter 2021 was nothing but paying expenses. Even though grants and loans were being offered to small businesses, we did not have enough revenue history to show in order to qualify. We started offering personal gift baskets, we launched a humidor location in partnership with a men’s clothing store, and the Lorraine’s Patio option was added during this time. We also spent this time trying to stay on the minds of the public by focusing on cigar education via Facebook and Instagram posts. Some of our posts included, cigar shapes, cigar wrapper colors, proper storage and humidor care, cigar and beverage pairings, etc.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bonviemobilecigarlounge.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bonviemcl/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BonVieMCL
Image Credits
Carolyn Dumas, Donnell Perry Photography