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.

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Subscribe to Deep Cuts Live for more conversations with the people shaping the premium cigar industry. Visit deepcutslive.com for more episodes and updates.

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