We were lucky to catch up with Frederick Brown recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Frederick thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s start big picture – what are some of biggest trends you are seeing in your industry?

The Cigar Industry and the Cigar Lifestyle in particular is very trendy and niche and historically has been about successful rich Whte Men. In the most recent past, it has started to include minorities, African Americans to be specific.

Being involved in the Cigar Lifestyle since 2009, I have always loved having stylish products such as Cutters, Lighters and Humidors. It wasn’t until 2022 where I thought of having my own product line so i’ve partnered with several domestic and international vendors to showcase and it’s completely exceeded my expectations.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I was introduced to the Cigar Lifestyle in 2009 by a friend who was having an event in Harlem, NY and have been hooked ever since.

Also being involved in Real Estate has allowed me to option to travel and when i’ve been out of state has allowed me to frequent Cigar Lounges in Georgia, St Louis, California among other states.

I was given the idea of opening my own Cigar Accessories company, The SARELIX Cigar Store, in early 2022 due to my love of stylish products such as Cutters, Humidors, Lighters and Ashtrays.

I did ALOT of research in finding vendors and companies that had products that I feel would fit not only my style but what I think other people would like also.

The results have been beyond my expectations,

Alright – let’s talk about marketing or sales – do you have any fun stories about a risk you’ve taken or something else exciting on the sales and marketing side?

I feel the most important thing about my business is thanking the customers who keep the doors open.

One of the marketing strategies I have is on a weekly basis, I highlight one to two customers who purchase in my ANOTHER!!!!……..SATISFIED!!!!!……CUSOTMER!!!!! campaign.

My customers, who I ask to send me pics of them with their products, think positively about it and appreciate being acknowledged.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

The Cigar Lifestyle is very niche and people take it very seriously and competitively. This includes one’s favorite Cigar, which is often a very heated and passionate discussion among smokers as if they were talking about who is the greatest basketball player of all time (G.O.A.T.), Michael Jordan or Lebron James.

In early 2022, I was featured in an article for Ebony.com that somewhat solidified my place in the Cigar Lifestyle. That among other things I feel has made me legit in the eyes of the Cigar Community to be able to sell my products at such a great pace.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thesarelixcigarstore.com
• Instagram: @sarelixcigars
• Facebook: @sarelixcigars
• Youtube: @sarelixcigars