Heavenly Cigar Company Invests in Management and Corporate Expansion to Benefit Retailers

Source from:  SMOKESHOP 09/04/2009

Heavenly Cigar Company's plush and spacious new headquarters may be the most tangible sign of the company's growth and success, but it won't be the most noticeable evidence for tobacco retailers. In the face of hard times for smokers and the industry alike, Heather Phillips, Heavenly's founder and c.e.o., is investing in the future. "We know the business is coming back and we're preparing for that day," Phillips explains. Heavenly's new location remains in Naples, Fla. where Phillips launched her business in 1999. Despite the sluggish economy, Phillips has initiated a number of steps that combine to drive Heavenly, and its line of 14 premium hand rolled flavored cigars and new Red Lion brand, forward. Last January, Phillips hired Kari Soule, as chief financial officer. Says the twenty-year financial management professional, "I jumped in headfirst, restructuring and streamlining the work flow in both the office and the warehouse, made dealings with the company's new factory easier, and more direct, tightened inventory control, added to the sales and customer service staff, and worked with product branding and marketing." All this needed effort freed up Phillips' energy and imagination for marketing and promotion. In addition, two tobacco-industry veterans joined Heavenly's sales, marketing, and customer service staff, in early 2009. National sales manager Keith Hager brings 11 years of experience in the business, starting with his own tobacco accessories importing and distribution company, Zipstyle. He then worked with Rocky Patel Cigars as import and operations manager, followed by a six-month assignment at Graycliff, as Florida territorial sales management consultant, where he increased sales 48%. Another new key player is Nicole "Mimi" Alvarez-Martin who, as the granddaughter of Tropical Tobacco Company founder Pedro Martin, grew up in the tobacco world and worked at Tropical from age fourteen, followed by six years as owner of M Distributors, a successful importer and distributor of bundled cigars. At Heavenly, she has filled many assignments in sales, marketing, and customer service, working in depth with the company's independent representatives, supporting reps and establishing and building relationships with retailers. "We now have excellent representation in three territories, and will have a total of six within sixty days," she says. All this restructuring will have payoffs for retailers with better deliveries and prompt, responsive and personable customer service, says Phillips - all key aspects of building brand loyalty. Enditem