Building a Business Around Experience: CEO Students Visit Big Fellas' Mobile Cigar Lounge
OK, before we share about this business tour, let’s answer the question: “Why would you bring 17 & 18 year old entrepreneurship students to a cigar lounge for a business tour?”
Because entrepreneurship lessons can be found everywhere.
This wasn’t just about cigars. It was about branding, hospitality, customer experience, regulations, niche marketing, relationship-building, and learning what it really takes to build a business from the ground up.
And even more special? This business is owned by one of our CEO students’ parents! Brian and Bridget Joiner (along with Henry) opened up the mobile cigar lounge early in the morning specifically for our CEO students, creating a unique and memorable hands-on learning experience.
Brian shared how he started the business, the hurdles he had to overcome, and how they created not just a place for people to buy cigars, but an entire experience centered around hospitality, atmosphere, and customer service.
So… back to the question of what our students learned on this business visit:
>>> Regulations, Licensing & Compliance <<<
Students learned how businesses in regulated industries navigate licensing, age restrictions, liability, health regulations, and professional standards.
>>> Hospitality & Relationship-Based Business <<<
Students observed how business owners create welcoming environments, build customer loyalty, and develop strong professional relationships.
>>> Branding & Niche Markets <<<
Students saw how a business creates a strong identity through branding, atmosphere, product selection, and customer experience.
>>> Learning from one of our own CEO students <<<
Henry has spent significant time helping with setup, operations, and other aspects of the business, offering students a firsthand look at entrepreneurship from a family-business perspective. He even sells his game he created in the CEO program in the cigar lounge!
Thank you to Brian, Bridget, and Henry for welcoming our students and sharing your entrepreneurial journey with us!
