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

5 years ago

February 14, 2019

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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Maximizing Your Bank Branch Experience

In a world of online tools that let you make banking transactions with the touch of a button, the idea of visiting a branch might seem unnecessary. However, if you haven’t visited your local branch recently, you might be surprised by what it has to offer. Your branch is much more than a place to deposit and withdraw money – it can offer the opportunity to build valuable relationships with people who can help you achieve financial independence.

Published

5 hours ago

May 3, 2024

Oakland Post

Diedra Porché, National Head of Community Banking, JPMorgan Case & Co.

Sponsored by JPMorgan Chase & Co.

In a world of online tools that let you make banking transactions with the touch of a button, the idea of visiting a branch might seem unnecessary.

However, if you haven’t visited your local branch recently, you might be surprised by what it has to offer. Your branch is much more than a place to deposit and withdraw money – it can offer the opportunity to build valuable relationships with people who can help you achieve financial independence.

Diedra Porché, Head of Community and Business Development at Chase, talks about how the bank model has evolved to maximize the branch experience for customers; how connecting with your local branch team can help you think differently about money and investing for your future.

How can a customer feel connected to a bank branch?

I love that question because we ask ourselves the same thing every day. Being part of the community means meeting with local leaders to find out what they need from us and then designing our branches around that. For example, at some of our community branches we have what we call a living room where we can host financial workshops, small business pop-up shops or nonprofit organization meetings. We also hire locally. You feel much more connected talking about financial aspirations with people from your community who went to the same high school, place of worship or maybe frequented the same recreation center down the street when they grew up.

How can I build a relationship with my bank?

Customers should feel comfortable sharing their goals, needs and wants with their banker. Also, it helps to remember the Community Manager is there to help solve your finance challenges and build a roadmap for success. You might have a short-term or long-term goal to open a business, build your credit, become debt-free, buy a home, or save for retirement, and our community team can help. At Chase, we strive to make dreams possible for everyone, everywhere, every day. Your financial future starts with building those relationships.

How can customers change negative perceptions they have about managing their money?

Far too often, customers are intimidated when they visit a bank. Our goal is to demystify banking and money myths empowering people to make the right decisions. For example, a big myth is assuming you need a lot of money to have a bank account. You don’t! Another myth is you need to carry a balance on your credit card to build credit — actively using your credit card can demonstrate that you can use credit responsibly but carrying a balance won’t necessarily improve your credit score. Finally, understanding mobile and online banking safety is key. There are so many safeguards and protections in place to guard your personal information and funds.

What’s an easy step one can take to shift their financial behavior right now?

Cultivating self-awareness is a good first step. Start by taking inventory of your spending. Be honest with yourself about what you need and what you want. Too often, people confuse the two, which leads to bad decisions. Rent is something you need to pay. An extra pair of shoes is something you may want but before you buy them ask yourself if that’s the best use of your hard-earned money. Too often, our beliefs and our fears shape our financial realities. If any of those beliefs are limiting your financial behavior, it’s important to question and examine them, and then decide you’re open to learning something different.

What’s one perception about banking that you’d like to change?

I think folks are surprised there are so many resources available and accessible both at our branches and online, it’s always a good idea to visit a nearby branch and speak to a Community Manager or banker. Outside of what we offer in-branch, our teams also work with local neighborhood partners who provide a variety of services to support the community, businesses and residents. I received a unique piece of feedback from an employee who started with the bank and had lived in the same community his whole life. When he visited his local community branch, he said, “Diedra, when I walked in, I felt dignified.” Every time I recount that story, it warms my heart because that’s what we want — we want our centers to belong to the community.