When David Sley began the arduous task of building an independent tobacco company over a decade ago, there was little reason anyone would have thought it would succeed. Recently, I was lucky enough to catch up with David Sley and learn more about what drove him to start Hestia, a cigarette company, in a world run by decidedly hostile political and cultural forces. Most importantly, we were able to discuss what his seemingly Quixotic effort to take on “big tobacco” can teach us about creativity.

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