Business

Octavia Toliver created HERficionado for women who love cigars

ROLLINGOUT.COM — Toliver grew tired of frequenting bars where she was among a handful of women.

Published

7 years ago

February 14, 2019

Oakland Post

By Giana Levy

An avid cigar smoker for a decade, Octavia Toliver is the founder and CEO of HERficionado — a female-friendly cigar network whose platform has grown substantially in only two years. True to the growing culture of cigar events and promotions, Toliver grew tired of frequenting bars where she was among a handful of women outnumbered by rooms full of men. Hence, Toliver birthed HERficianado as a “safe space for women to come, network and educate themselves on cigars.”

Giana Levy

What inspired you to create HERficionado, and why was it important for you to create a brand that is female-specific?

I wanted to create something that is very non-intimidating [where] women [could] come and feel comfortable … for beginners or for women who have been smoking for 20 years. [My lane] includes products, events and more.

How difficult was it for you to create a footprint in an industry that is such a boy’s club?

I think that social media has made it a lot easier for me. It was about putting myself out there and starting to host the events. I think that women naturally gravitate to the brand.

What do you encourage women to consider when they begin smoking cigars?

I encourage women to start on the milder side. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and find someone that you feel comfortable speaking [to].

How have you tried to expand the reach of your brand through social media?

I started by featuring other women who were already smoking cigars. Because I started that way, this put me in a position where people trusted me. I tend to reach out to women and men frequently and welcome them to my space.

Explain the types of events you host.

I bring a fresh take on cigars, not the old stuffy boys club. We’re going to have the nice low-tempo music with some hip-hop. The events give it a new spin, something a bit more exciting and a bit more upbeat.

When did you fall in love with the city of Atlanta?

I fell in love … when I moved here. I came from a small town and went to college in a small town. I had never really seen so many Black people thriving and living these fabulous lives. [That] motivated me to do things that I’ve always wanted to do.

Atlanta is known to inspire and encourage Black entrepreneurs. What was your experience?

I think Atlanta is filled with creatives. It’s great because most people have already succeeded in different industries. Anyone can help you out with an opportunity and help [you] on your journey.

What are some experiences that have left a mark on you that you think visitors should experience while in Atlanta?

I would encourage people to dig into the city. I would encourage people to go to the West End. … Head to Piedmont Park and walk through [it]. Go to The [King] Center. … I would encourage people to experience [the culture and history] while they are here.

Giana Levy is a freshmen Journalism major at Clark Atlanta University and serves as an editorial intern. She plans to use her work as a writer to inform the public on current events and give new perspectives on various topics.

This article originally appeared in Rollingout.com.

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Oakland Post: Week of February 25 – March 3, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of – February 25 – March 3, 2026

Published

4 days ago

March 1, 2026

Oakland Post

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Chase Oakland Community Center Hosts Alley-Oop Accelerator Building Community and Opportunity for Bay Area Entrepreneurs

Over the past three years, the Alley-Oop Accelerator has helped more than 20 Bay Area businesses grow, connect, and gain meaningful exposure. The program combines hands-on training, mentorship, and community-building to help participants navigate the legal, financial, and marketing challenges of small business ownership.

Published

2 weeks ago

February 21, 2026

Oakland Post

Bay Area entrepreneurs attend the Alley-Oop Accelerator, a small business incubation program at Chase Oakland Community Center. Photo by Carla Thomas.

By Carla Thomas

The Golden State Warriors and Chase bank hosted the third annual Alley-Oop Accelerator this month, an empowering eight-week program designed to help Bay Area entrepreneurs bring their visions for business to life.

The initiative kicked off on Feb. 12 at Chase’s Oakland Community Center on Broadway Street, welcoming 15 small business owners who joined a growing network of local innovators working to strengthen the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

At its core, the accelerator is designed to create an ecosystem of collaboration, where local entrepreneurs can learn from one another while accessing the resources of a global financial institution.

“This is our third year in a row working with the Golden State Warriors on the Alley-Oop Accelerator,” said Jaime Garcia, executive director of Chase’s Coaching for Impact team for the West Division. “We’ve already had 20-plus businesses graduate from the program, and we have 15 enrolled this year. The biggest thing about the program is really the community that’s built amongst the business owners — plus the exposure they’re able to get through Chase and the Golden State Warriors.”

According to Garcia, several graduates have gone on to receive vendor contracts with the Warriors and have gained broader recognition through collaborations with JPMorgan Chase.

“A lot of what Chase is trying to do,” Garcia added, “is bring businesses together because what they’ve asked for is an ecosystem, a network where they can connect, grow, and thrive organically.”

This year’s Alley-Oop Accelerator reflects that vision through its comprehensive curriculum and emphasis on practical learning. Participants explore the full spectrum of business essentials including financial management, marketing strategy, and legal compliance, while also preparing for real-world experiences such as pop-up market events.

Each entrepreneur benefits from one-on-one mentoring sessions through Chase’s Coaching for Impact program, which provides complimentary, personalized business consulting.

Garcia described the impact this hands-on approach has had on local small business owners. He recalled one candlemaker, who, after participating in the program, was invited to provide candles as gifts at Chase events.

“We were able to help give that business exposure,” he explained. “But then our team also worked with them on how to access capital to buy inventory and manage operations once those orders started coming in. It’s about preparation. When a hiccup happens, are you ready to handle it?”

The Coaching for Impact initiative, which launched in 2020 in just four cities, has since expanded to 46 nationwide.

“Every business is different,” Garcia said. “That’s why personal coaching matters so much. It’s life-changing.”

Participants in the 2026 program will each receive a $2,500 stipend, funding that Garcia said can make an outsized difference. “It’s amazing what some people can do with just $2,500,” he noted. “It sounds small, but it goes a long way when you have a plan for how to use it.”

For Chase and the Warriors, the Alley-Oop Accelerator represents more than an educational initiative, it’s a pathway to empowerment and economic inclusion. The program continues to foster lasting relationships among the entrepreneurs who, as Garcia put it, “build each other up” through shared growth and opportunity.

“Starting a business is never easy, but with the right support, it becomes possible, and even exhilarating,” said Oscar Lopez, the senior business consultant for Chase in Oakland.