Read in the magazine (rotate your device for a better reading experience):
Myesha Michelle
Aficionada with over 20 years of experience in premium tobacco consumption, Myesha Michelle is the founder and President of Sisters of the Leaf – an organization dedicated to women who smoke cigars or are interested in the community – and a graduate of the Cigar Roller Academy in Los Angeles, California, USA.
– What can you tell us about Sisters of the Leaf?
– I established and lead this organization with the purpose of empowering women in the cigar community. We organize events, workshops, and networking opportunities for enthusiasts, as well as develop a strong online presence – through social media platforms – to connect and engage with our members.
– What has been your experience as a student at the Cigar Rolling Academy in Los Angeles?
– After spending several months as an apprentice, I am now an alumni. I have gained considerable knowledge and a deep respect for both tobacco and the rich culture surrounding the art of cigar rolling.
This experience has not only improved my skills but has allowed my passion for this craft to shine through the cigars I create. I sincerely hope that the dedication and love I put into my work are evident in the final product, as each cigar crafted is a reflection of my journey. I am excited to continue growing in this beautiful art form.
Currently, I am seeking a Master’s in Techniques and Craftsmanship of Cigar Rolling, gaining more knowledge about tobacco varieties, their blends, and quality control.
– You were the Producer of a documentary about cigars…
– Indeed, I successfully produced Smoke Big, a captivating documentary about the cigar industry and its scene in Los Angeles, which is now available on Prime Video. I handled all aspects of production, including research, conducting interviews, filming, and final editing during post-production.
– Tell us about the transition from enthusiast to expert in cigars, and your knowledge of the premium tobacco industry.
– I have gained extensive experience by smoking and handling various Cuban and domestic cigars, developing a deep understanding of their different flavor profiles and pairings. In fact, I actively participate in exploring various cigar launches, which keeps me updated on industry trends.
For over seven years, I lived in Miami, Florida, where I was able to meet and create substantial connections in the industry. I am familiar with lounges and establishments in major metropolitan cities across the country, such as Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, New York, New Jersey, Chicago, Oakland, San Diego, and others in South Carolina.
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Ben Wills
Born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, Ben Wills graduated from Clark Atlanta University (one of the educational institutions created for the African American community after 1964, HBCU). She trained as a Technical Designer in the fashion industry and then transitioned to Public Relations, becoming a Talent Coordinator in the entertainment sector.
In the Tobacco Industry, serving as brand content curator and social media manager allowed her to create her own lifestyle brand, “leveraging my experience in public relations and entertainment production to elevate a consumer bridge between lifestyle, retail, and cigar brands.”
– How do you participate in the cigar community?
– Thanks to retail partnerships with Smallbatch Cigars in Orange County, California, for Black History Month, we have been able to incorporate, promote, and sell African American-owned brands on a massive scale. Additionally, media connections through Boveda Unbox Live and JR Cigars have helped highlight outstanding women in the industry during Women’s History Month.
I became the first brand content curator for JR Cigars; media partner for the Procigar Festival held in Santiago, Dominican Republic, and created the inaugural Sisters in Smoke Brunch to offer, support, and promote women-led brands among consumers in a fellowship environment.
– What motivated you to start this?
– I have a curious personality. I’m the type of person who, when challenged, will pursue what someone says doesn’t exist or can’t be done. If you tell me the social norm is “X, Y, and Z,” I will show you “L, M, N, O, P…”
Initially, I felt that the women in the industry I met had a powerful yet subtle presence. That sparked the desire to bring them into the spotlight, rather than letting them remain in the shadows. I wanted others to hear their voices, recognize them, and celebrate their presence. The same goes for my support in trying to introduce mass consumers to more African American-owned brands through my retail partnership with Smallbatch Cigars.
– Do you remember any impactful experiences?
– Two years ago, during the Premium Cigar Association (PCA) trade show, Antione Reid from Deep Cuts Live helped me realize the crazy vision of creating a viral moment with a group of titan women in the industry: Nirka Reyes from De los Reyes Cigars; Raquel Quesada from Quesada Cigars; Leonor Abzaradel from Nova Cigars, and Desiree Sylver from Drunk Chicken Cigars.
I wanted to showcase the unity among Sisters of the Leaf, mutual respect, and their respective offerings. I believed that both consumers and the industry needed to be reminded that these leaders are just as beloved as some others; that specialty media should seek out their booths, greet them, and talk about their products. Seeing them together was a pleasure. I will never forget their generosity of presence and patience; a gesture I will always cherish.
– Since you started, how has the industry changed?
– I love that more and more people are recognizing the female giants in the room; that really wasn’t a global thing before. It’s very rewarding to share space with your peers, as some are sources of inspiration and others, allies. I would say that if you offer others the best of yourself, they will respond in kind. I am proof of that.
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Lorena Garduño
Also known as Lorena Puro Fuego, Lorena Garduño is a Mexican born in Cuernavaca, Morelos, who, in addition to being an entrepreneur in Private Sector Investigation Business (fraud), is a mother of three young adults and a Certified Cigar Sommelier (International Cigar Sommelier Association), Cigar Roller, and Sister of the Leaf in Southern California.
She firmly believes that she has received the gift of the Fruit of the Spirit: “I have the ability to stand up for what I believe, face adversity, and overcome any obstacle.”
– What do you think about the community and your initiatives?
– I have been part of the community of women smokers of premium tobacco for over a decade, but I have smoked cigars for much longer… In fact, both my grandmother and my father were enthusiasts.
On this journey, I have met some strong and solid women in the industry who motivated me to organize cigar-focused events. In early 2014, I partnered with my fun companion, Joy Caldwell, and we ventured to host our first event a year later. It was a success! So together we organized other gatherings that brought women from all walks of life with different lifestyles. Their response and the demand were extraordinary, so we called our duo Sexy Ashes Aficionadas / Cigar Hostesses in Southern California.
– What motivates you to carry out these activities?
– The curiosity of women who want to know and learn more about cigars. I realized that many are powerful in some way, whether in their field or through their lifestyle, so they just needed a place to come together.
The idea is for women to unite, share, and participate in a sort of convention that brings us together once a year to discuss how to make a difference by contributing to a good cause within or outside the cigar industry. Humanitarian work…
– Describe a memorable experience.
– As I am also a Cigar Sommelier, event host, and Sister of the Leaf, I had the pleasure of setting up a rolling table at Sylvester Stallone’s house, who had Arnold Schwarzenegger as a special guest. I sat with both of them after dinner and rolled, lit, and smoked a cigar with them. That was my father’s wish, and I was able to experience it in his name! It was a moment of great significance for me.
– Do you think the cigar industry has changed?
– It has changed a lot since I started, and I believe it is largely due to us, who began this movement over a decade ago. We were not afraid to break barriers to enter what was considered “the man’s world,” and we did it with grace, style, and a lot of confidence… We have come to stay, and our community continues to grow and strengthen.
I would say that opportunities don’t just happen; you create them. So we must continue to inspire and draw inspiration from the women in the tobacco industry. Each one, being their own movement, because everything we have always wanted is on the other side of fear.
