Box Press

The podcast features an interview with Skip Martin, who discusses his background, the development of his cigar company, and his philosophy on the cigar industry. Personal Background and Entry into Cigars:Skip Martin grew up in Dallas, Texas, played baseball, and later served on a submarine in the Navy during the Cold War. After his service, he worked in finance in Chicago and later moved to Round Rock, Texas, where he worked at Dell for 15 years. He discovered a passion for cigars while in the Navy and later developed relationships with cigar retailers like Chad Chadburn and Diana Silvius Gits, who helped shape his understanding of the industry.Building a Cigar Business:Martin and his partner, Mike Rosales, started a cigar brand, Roma, in 2010 and established a factory in Nicaragua in 2012. He emphasizes that his entry into the industry was strategic rather than accidental, noting that he wanted to stay connected to the craft of cigar-making rather than focusing solely on sales. His "blue ocean" business str