Eddy Guerra: What It Really Takes to Build a Luxury Brand | Industry Talks Hospitality Podcast

He built his career from teenage parties to luxury cigar brands; Eddy Guerra shares how hospitality shaped his journey into one of the most exclusive industries in the world. From running 14-hour days in Southeast Asia’s top resorts, to opening whiskey & cigar bars in Bangkok, to reshaping iconic brands like Montecristo, Trinidad, and Davidoff; this is a masterclass in brand building, customer experience, and luxury marketing.

Eddy discusses:

• His first gigs in hospitality and the lessons learned.
• The life-changing experience of managing luxury resorts abroad.
• How he broke into the cigar industry with no prior experience.
• The challenges of importing premium cigars into Thailand.
• Opening a successful whiskey & cigar bar in Bangkok.
• Reshaping the Montecristo and Trinidad brands for a new era.
• Joining Davidoff and navigating marketing during COVID.
• Why atmosphere sells more cigars than blend.
• The future of cigar lounges and luxury hospitality.

Timestamps: 00:00 Intro

01:06 Early Days & First Hospitality Jobs

03:15 High School Parties & Event Organizing

05:08 Moving Abroad & Starting in Lifestyle Marketing

07:10 Opening Hotels in Southeast Asia

09:03 Lessons from Remote Luxury Resorts

11:12 Why He Left the Hotel & Restaurant Business

13:02 Entering the Cigar Industry Without Experience

15:18 Importing Cigars into Thailand & Market Challenges

17:29 Launching a Group Buy for Hotels & Resorts

19:15 Building a Whiskey & Cigar Bar in Bangkok

21:42 Life in Bangkok & Private Members Clubs

23:37 Why People Pay for Exclusive Memberships

25:16 Returning to the US & Consulting Work

27:03 Joining the Manufacturing Side of Cigars

28:45 Lessons in Packaging & Brand Presentation

30:11 Reshaping Montecristo & Trinidad for Modern Markets

32:06 Being Recruited by Davidoff

34:08 How COVID Changed Cigar Marketing & Events

36:27 Becoming VP at La Flor Dominicana

38:42 Working with Industry Mentors & Learning the Trade

41:15 What Hospitality Needs More & Less Of Today

43:02 Celebrity Cigar Moments & Brand Visibility

45:20 Lifestyle Marketing vs Mass Marketing

47:11 Unique Cigar Pairings & Product Launch Strategies

49:09 Biggest Failure & Lessons Learned in Business

51:28 Dream Collaborations in the Cigar World

53:05 Best Cigar Lounges in the US

55:14 The Future of Cigar Lounge Experiences

57:38 Why Atmosphere Sells More Cigars Than the Blend

59:50 Lessons from Family & Career Growth

1:01:32 Why “Human Made” Will Define the Future of Luxury

1:03:17 Advice for Young Marketers Entering the Cigar Industry

1:05:44 Knowing Your Audience & Building Brand Loyalty

1:07:26 Luxury Marketing in 2030 – Predictions

1:09:12 Eddy’s Favorite Burger & Final Thoughts

 

Connect with me on my instagram:

🤳Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emiguerra99/ Connect with Eddy Guerra: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eddyguerra305/

 

Listen to my podcasts on: 🍎Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/industry-talks-hospitality-podcast/id1790526837

🍏Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Qqf1YkCmKKL0nEH9J5rAv

 

Check out my hospitality businesses on Instagram:

🏨 Breakwater Hospitality Group: https://www.instagram.com/breakwaterhg/

🏨The Wharf Miami: https://www.instagram.com/wharfmiami/

🏨The Wharf Fort Lauderdale: https://www.instagram.com/wharfftl/

🏨PIER 5: https://www.instagram.com/pier5bayside/

🏨JohnMartin’s: https://www.instagram.com/johnmartinsmiami/

🏨Carousel Club: https://www.instagram.com/carouselclb/

🏨Regatta Grove: https://www.instagram.com/regattagrove/

🏨Riverside Wharf:

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.