In Episode 009 of "Between Two Humidors", host Jonathan Ruggles and Guests Brandon Oveson and Kendrick Woolstenhulme discuss the origins and growth of their cigar brand, Apostate. Oveson and Woolstenhulme met in Utah, where they both used to be members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Oveson, inspired by his desire to work in the cigar industry, was hired by Woolstenhulme and eventually became the manager of his shop. During the pandemic in 2020, they created a super premium house blend cigar and turned it into a brand, naming it "Apostate" after the concept of someone who rejects or rebels against a certain set of beliefs. They quickly relied on an old friend and manufacturer Jochy Blanco in the Dominican Republic due to their shared philosophy. The brand's logo and names are inspired by Mormon mythology, and their unique approach to naming their blends has provided them with a deep well of inspiration for marketing purposes. They have experienced growth, with new retailers and continued orders from existing ones. With light criticism and fallout from leaving their religious community, they have been able to continue lasting friendships and emphasize the importance of building a new community based on the foundation of their old one. They share stories about their first experiences with cigars and discuss the success of their cigar events, which provide a safe space for human connection.

Guest Links

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-oveson-a56586283/ /

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apostatecigars/

Website: https://www.apostatecigars.com/

Thank you to our Sponsors - Special OFFER for Listeners in this episode!

The Cigar Chapel - Bend, Oregon

Apostate Cigars - Salt Lake City, Utah

Disclaimer

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