Cigar Box LLC | Application Preview
Cigar Box LLC is seeking government grants to support its business, focusing on a few key areas for funding. The money will primarily be used for legal fees, the purchase of cigars, inventory storage supplies, a marketing campaign, and for leasing costs related to a vehicle and camper for six months.
The business aims to attract young male customers interested in cigar culture through educational video content that is approachable and engaging. By leveraging social media, the videos can reach a wider audience and encourage sharing among peers. Cigar Box LLC intends to partner with vendors that can create environments for clients to enjoy cigar smoking during social events in the camper. Additionally, the business plans to use traditional advertising methods and participate in relevant trade shows to further its growth.
The grant application highlights the founder's extensive experience, having managed over $25 million in state contracts with the Illinois Department of Transportation and various other agencies. This background demonstrates a proven track record of handling funds responsibly and maintaining project quality. The founder also directs a photography convention in Chicago, which has provided valuable experience in navigating challenges, particularly during the COVID pandemic.
In terms of competition, Cigar Box LLC faces established players like The Rare Cigar Club, Mike’s Cigars, and Gotham Cigars, which have strong customer bases and exclusive offerings. However, the business plans to differentiate itself by targeting novice cigar smokers, making the culture accessible, and helping them feel comfortable and confident in their cigar experiences.
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General Information
Business Registration Number: 92-0771144
Location: CHANNAHON, IL, United States
Length of Operation: 1-5
Number of Employees: 1-10 Employees
Annual Gross Income: Less than $100k
Annual Gross Expense: Less than $100k
Open to Loans: YES
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Funding Usage
The initial use of the funds will be to set aside legal counsel and fees, purchasing of cigars, with supplies to store and preserve inventory, marketing campaign and 6 months of leasing costs for vehicle, camper and all associated fees to operate and furnish camper.
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Business Plan
Targeting young male customers that are interested in learning about the cigar culture by way of video material designed to educate them in a manner that is welcoming and non-intimidating. With the popularity and scalability in building an audience through social media, these video materials can be easily consumed and shared among their peers with a high degree of visibility. Approaching applicable vendors, which appeal to my intended demographic, to provide an environment where their clients can legally and comfortably break away to enjoy the past time of smoking cigars during social events, within the camper, thus increasing the value they provide their clientele, will also be a calculated approach in growing my business. The traditional advertising and attending/renting out spaces at pertinent trade shows will also be part of the plan to grow. Throughout the course of the last 20 years I have helped win, execute and maintain close to, if not exceed, $25 million in state contracts while serving as a consultant with the Illinois Department of Transportation, spanning four districts. An innumerable amount of secondary contracts, throughout the US, to include local municipalities, state, county and federal agencies, additional DOT’s and private clients, would significantly increase that number of which my involvement helped keep projects on track and within budget, while holding the quality and accuracy to a degree signed and sealed by an engineer. This level of responsibility, in being entrusted with large sums of funds with the degree of accuracy necessary to maintain said contracts, paired with a creative and evolving approach to utilize common and current trends, all while utilizing multicultural influences, bodes well for the accountability in using grant resources responsibly with a successful outcome. Additionally, I am a director for a photography convention held in Chicago since 2019. This grass root effort to operate within the competitive landscape of the Midwest while enduring the devastating challenges of COVID, has complimented my work history in providing ample learning and growth opportunities. The moneys earned have been reinvested in the organization in a manner which has allowed for it to grow despite the obstacles encountered
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Self Identified Competition
The Rare Cigar Club, Mike’s Cigars and Gotham Cigars are top three competitors. The monthly cigar subscription model has been around for roughly 10-15 years. These businesses have established clientele while having access to rare and exclusive cigars. They have a streamlined approach to serving their customers to delivery consistent quality. Though these competitors have had success within the cigar community they serve of seasoned and experienced aficionados, my approach will be to appeal to the novice in a manner that builds their confidence to know what to look for and how to ask questions in a manner that allows them to ease into the culture while not feeling embarrassed or afraid to intermingle with those who have been smoking cigars for a longer amount of time.
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Contact Applicant
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