3'2007
Rocky Patel Cigars
In a culture that begets Doctors, Lawyers, and MBAs, a Cigar
Manufacturer is very rare. Rocky Patel, founder of Indian Tabac
and the Rocky Patel Vintage Series, is based in Naples, Florida.
An entertainment and product liability Lawyer turned cigar
Entrepreneur, his company is fast becoming number one on the
charts in many tobacco shops around the country. Indian Tabac
has been increasing 15% - 20% growth annually.
A winner of numerous awards, and considered one of the most
uncompromising and quality-conscious manufacturers in the
industry, a "Rocky Patel" cigar is known to be the choice of the
most sophisticated palates.
Rocky's success has been achieved the old-fashioned way - hard
work and sheer persistence. "I've been told that I'm the
hardest working man in the cigar business. I eat, live and
sleep cigars. I even dream about them. I've spent more time
pounding the pavement and communicating directly with smokers.
I'm driven because people told me when I first started I'd never
make it." His road shows began in 1998, and they never seem
to end: in both 2001 and 2002 he logged more than 300 days
on the road. Despite his current success as one of the top cigar
manufacturers in the world, he still follows a brutal schedule.
"I've been to 600 cities once in 750 days," he says.
"Sometimes you get tired of the packing and unpacking, the
ironing, and constantly moving around. It's tough, but it's the
best thing you can do to get your word out. It's almost like
I create a friendship with a fellow smoker."
To learn more about his phenomenal rise from a novice smoker who
knew nothing about cigars, to one of the foremost experts in the
industry, visit his website at
www.RockyPatel.com.
