Distributor Business

[ggiese]

Any information helps and I appreceiate the feedback. I was looking to obtain the Distributor License, Tobacco License, and Business License, start a website selling other Manufactures Cigars such as Drew Estate, etc...

I've contacted some Manufactures and have been told by them that they have a pricing guide for it's distributors so kind of moving in that direction...

Enjoy your Smoke!

Mike

That info varies from state to state, and locality to locality. You might find it very challenging in today's environment where many jurisdictions are going "smoke free" and taxation on tobacco products is at an all time high.

Start out with creating a solid business plan - you'll need that to "sell" any perspective investors or banks willing to lend capital. It should also identify the risks you'll need to overcome to be successful.

Good luck!

[wyattearp]

Once again, good info! I think my biggest challenge will be the website and Search Engine Optimazation (SEO). The funding will be solely by me. Not really looking to target the commercial sells as of now but more residential Cigar smokers. Kind of like a Cigar.com, Thompson's set up.

I order from them frequently and started thinking of doing my own thing. It will be challenging, but what isn't now days....

[ggiese]

Once again, good info! I think my biggest challenge will be the website and Search Engine Optimazation (SEO). The funding will be solely by me. Not really looking to target the commercial sells as of now but more residential Cigar smokers. Kind of like a Cigar.com, Thompson's set up.

I order from them frequently and started thinking of doing my own thing. It will be challenging, but what isn't now days....

Impressive! You have several hundreds of thousands of dollars to invest?

If not - the SEO and website will be the least of your worries.

[wyattearp]

Lol....It doesn't take "several of hundreds of thousands of dollars" to invest to start this off. I think I have the financing under control. Thanks for the input though!

[ashauler]

Lol....It doesn't take "several of hundreds of thousands of dollars" to invest to start this off. I think I have the financing under control. Thanks for the input though!

Really? Interesting, the capital requirement is what ended my pursuit of "the dream".

[wyattearp]

I think it depends on how big you want to start off. If you want to rent a warehouse for your stock, spend thousands upon thousands in advertising and marketing from the jump, then maybe. But if you want to start small and grow regionally over time, then it's very possible to do.

Growing your business to the level of Cigar.com or Thompsons for example takes time.

[badwhale]

<snip> Growing your business to the level of Cigar.com or Thompsons for example takes time.

And relentless, spirit crushing, mind numbing telemarketing in Thompson's case...

[ggiese]

I think it depends on how big you want to start off. If you want to rent a warehouse for your stock, spend thousands upon thousands in advertising and marketing from the jump, then maybe. But if you want to start small and grow regionally over time, then it's very possible to do.

Growing your business to the level of Cigar.com or Thompsons for example takes time.

The idea that you're looking to be a "distributor" in favor of just being a retailer suggest you have grander plans than just starting up a website. And I have some sense of what it takes to be a retailer - and you're not even truly in that ballpark yet...

If you're doing this as a hobby, it sounds like you're on the right track. If you're truly looking at doing this as a serious business enterprise - I think you've been provided some very sage advice which is contrary to the way you seem to be heading.

Safe travels!