Today we’d like to introduce you to Brian Lucier.
Hi Brian, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I began my career of entrepreneurship in China. My first venture was creating and administering a summer basketball camp. I recruited NCAA basketball players to travel to China, coach a summer camp, and travel the country. In some cases, they were even allowed to use this experience as credit towards their degrees.
A couple years later, after finishing my MBA at The Citadel, I returned to China and opened a bar, and subsequently an American-style diner in Zhengzhou, China (the capital city of Henan Province). Shortly after opening, we became the premier western-style bar in Zhengzhou, which at the time had a population of around eight million people. It was a great experience! I learned a ton and had a great time doing it.
After a number of years, and with a growing family on the way, my wife and I decided to return to Charleston in 2015. We sold our business in Zhengzhou without any real idea of what would come next. I had a friend who was a business broker, and a couple months after returning, he came to me with a cigar lounge that was for sale. At the time, the shop was called The Smoking Lamp. It was the oldest tobacconist in South Carolina and was well-known in Charleston.
I quickly recruited Nick Howard, my manager, to help me with the shop. Things went well, but as with any new business, cash flow as always something to be managed. Nevertheless, we grew organically over the next couple years and had the opportunity to purchase another shop in Goose Creek, SC.
With two shops in hand, I thought that would be the end of my story. I had another job that I was able to work remotely, so between the shops and my other employment, I had my hands full.
But, I got the bug again and made the decision to resign from my job and go full-steam into growing the cigar empire. Two years after purchasing the Goose Creek location, I opened a new shop in West Ashley, Charleston’s oldest suburb. Then, another two year later we opened in Summerville (Nexton), and most recently near Daniel Island (Point Hope).
With five shops in ten years, there has definitely been a learning curve, but it’s been a blast and can’t imagine things turning out any other way.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There has always been hurdles. When I started King’s Leaf Cigar Lounge, it was a struggle to find financing, managing cashflow, learning a new product, and managing new employees. But, these are struggles that every business owner faces. However, the riots of 2020 hit King Street in Charleston and my shop was not spared. We sustained some pretty serious damage and looting. COVID also presented lots of challenges: how to stay open, ensure a safe environment, maintain inventory levels, etc. It was a struggle, but we got through it.
We’ve been impressed with King’s Leaf Cigars, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We are a collection of retail cigar and wine lounges. With five locations, each shop has a feel of its own. Some are more of a neighborhood, community feel. Others are more high end and feel more like private clubs (although we are open to the public). You can come by just to make purchases and leave, or to enjoy our lounges for date nights, company outings, celebrations, game day viewing, or just hanging out with shop regulars.
What sets us apart are a few things: We have the most extensive and luxury selection of cigars in South Carolina. We also specialize in wine pairings at our King Street, Nexton, and Point Hope locations. We serve beer and wine at each location to enjoy in our lounges. Additionally, unlike many lounges, we boast engineered ventilation systems that ensure that all loungers, regardless of whether they smoke cigars or not, can enjoy the space.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Patience is a virtue and personnel is an investment
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.kingsleafcigars.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kingsleafcigars/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KingsLeafCigars/
