Being a woman in this industry has been a journey. A journey that I would not change at all. A few years ago I did an interview for a college student who was writing a paper about being an entrepreneur. One of the questions she asked me was, “Looking back, what would you change if you could?” My immediate response was “Nothing!” The many challenges I faced and the most often small but sometimes large victories as a business owner have made me who I am and helped shape my business. Facing challenges makes us stronger.
I think I got my entrepreneurial spirit from my mother. Growing up we were not particularly close. My mom lost her mother when she was 12 years old and I think that affected her tremendously. She had lost her role model and I think that was part of the reason we never became close. Ironically, I was about 12 when my mother opened a ceramic store. It was all the rage back then in the early ’80s, so she turned her hobby into a business. Unfortunately, it only lasted for a few years before closing. Later, when I was in my late teens, she opened a card and gift shop.
That also only lasted a few years. Yet, it was her business ventures that taught me not to be afraid to take chances, and to become a free spirit. Taking chances is what led me to opening my shop and into the cigar and pipe industry.
Thirty years ago, things were definitely different. Back then, when I attended the PCA trade show, I would walk up and down the aisles looking at all the booths and one time someone came over to me and said, “Hello! Bring your husband back and I can show him our products.”
I was so new, I just nodded my head and said sure. What I quickly learned, however, was I could use that to my advantage. I could scope out new products without having to engage with anyone if I was not ready to do so. It taught me to adapt and bring the positive out of those situations.
I also learned how to, what I call, give my resume. Having had an e-commerce site specializing in all things pipes, I would frequently answer the phone lines, finding myself with customers who wanted to ask their question to someone other than me.
I would get questions like, “Can I speak to a pipe expert?” I’d answer, “Sure, no problem. What’s your question?” The response was a litany of variations on “Do you smoke a pipe!?”
I was always having to prove that I could help. Again though, instead of getting upset, I would help them and one by one change their perspective on pipe smoking being for men only, and that I was more than capable to help them. Many of those callers, when they called back, starting asking for me. I think it’s one way that change happens. One person at a time.
I am happy that many years later it has become much better and much more accepted to have women involved in all aspects of our industry. Even though they actually have been for decades. We’ve come a long way baby, but there is still work to do!
I am often in a cab or at a restaurant and someone says “You own a cigar shop?” Even in my own shop, I have had cigar representatives or customers come in and say, “Oh, are you the owner?” Like they are surprised. I actually enjoy educating people and changing their perspectives. As I say, there is still work to do, but it has changed for the better.
Being elected as the first female president of the New York Cigar Association was very exciting for me. It was also intimidating. In meetings and networking with women, I have had many of them say to me that they feel intimidated by either smoking a cigar or being in the cigar industry. I know this may sound surprising, but it’s true and that is exactly why we have to help build each other up.
I have made it my mission to not only help women be a part of this industry but to thrive and have a voice in this industry. That is very important to me. The Women of PCA group is about helping us, as women, to communicate, participate and advocate. That is exactly why we need Women of PCA. To help women grow and be strong and offer them the opportunity for fellowship. As I write this, we are planning our next Women of PCA event: The Women of PCA Tampa Tour 2024. We are doing a tour of the J.C. Newman factory with cigar rolling, tasting classes and visits to Grand Cathedral Cigars and Ybor City. If you would like to get involved with Women of PCA or just get on our email list, please contact us at [email protected]. We would love to hear from you!
– Article contributed by Kathleen Kelly, owner of Queensbury Cigar & Pipe, Queensbury, New York. Photo: Adobe Stock.
This story first appeared in PCA The Magazine, Volume 4, 2024. To receive a copy of this magazine you must be a current member of PCA. Join or renew today at premiumcigars.org/membership.