Today we’d like to introduce you to Naimah Pears.
Red Lips and Cigar Sticks™ was created June of 2018, by the founder, Naimah “Ni” Pears. Mrs. Pears is originally from Newark, New Jersey. However, as a child, she moved with her mother to Jackson, Michigan. She resided in Jackson, Michigan through her childhood until her high school graduation in 1997, and after completing two years of community college at Jackson Community College, JCC. She relocated to Charlotte, NC in 1999, to further her college education. Mrs. Pears has been employed with the City of Charlotte for 18 years and she has a Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) and a Master’s of Science/Human Resources Management (MSHRM) from Strayer University.
Outside of Mrs. Pears’ professional life, she has a plethora of talents such as cooking, interior design, holiday décor specialist, table-spaces, event planning, writing/journalism, and most importantly, entertaining guest, which has intrigued her passion about cocktails and cigar pairing. This is certainly how Red Lips and Cigar Sticks™ was formed from her passion for smoking a good quality premium cigar, as well as being sexy and sophisticated while doing it! The spin on the “Red Lips” stems from her signature look while having a cigar and being very knowledgeable. Therefore, she wanted to set herself apart from her competitors, by putting her passion for writing on the forefront, to spark conversation and interest, through blogging about “Hot Topics” and showcasing the lifestyle of cigar smokers, which would create a lot buzz about this uncharted territory from a female perspective.
Therefore, through Red Lips and Cigar Sticks™, the magazine blog, readers can log on and get fresh reviews about some of the best premium cigars and cocktails, the takes on fashion, food, and travel. Along with, highlighting boutique spotlights, “Red Lips Fashionistas” and “Dapper Gents, “Cigar 101’s, Cigar Pop-up Shops and Cigar events exclusives, trending-trends, wardrobe advice, musical talent exposure, and tips on how to properly cut, light, and smoke a cigar, and so much more.
Mrs. Pears is currently preparing herself to transition into entrepreneurship, fully, after her remaining 11 years with the City of Charlotte is completed. Mrs. Pears would like to further her business venture into a mobile cigar lounge, storefront/lounge, and to become a direct distributor to sell cigars.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I’ve been in business for eight months as of now and the hardest part is time management. There’s so much that involves your needed attention as a business owner. You are the manager, production team, marketing team, social media strategist, brand ambassador, Human Resource manager, financial and fiscal business manager, the office manager, quality assurance manager, creative director, graphic designer, music and video composer, photographer, model, and too many other hats you wear, to name them all.
The overall experience has been rewarding and exciting along the way and you definitely learn, as you grow. However, it does become very overwhelming you are the primary person that’s the driving force behind the vision and creating the dream and attempting to maintain the dream.
Also, it is great to have mentors, who can provide you with a lot of insight and meeting regularly or occasionally with other business owners, to debrief and discuss business ownership.
Please tell us about Red Lips and Cigar Sticks.
The spin on “Red Lips” stems from me wearing my signature look (Red Lipstick) while having a cigar and being very knowledgeable. Therefore, I wanted to set myself apart from my competitors, by putting my passion for writing on the forefront, to spark conversation and interest about cigars, which I do through blogging about “Hot Topics” and showcasing the lifestyle of cigar smokers, which has created a lot buzz about this uncharted territory from a female perspective.
Therefore, through Red Lips and Cigar Sticks™, the magazine blog, readers can log on and get fresh reviews about some of the best premium cigars and cocktails, the takes on fashion, food, and travel. Along with, highlighting boutique spotlights, “Red Lips Fashionistas” and “Dapper Gents, “Cigar 101’s, Cigar Pop-up Shops and Cigar events exclusives, trending-trends, wardrobe advice, musical talent exposure, and tips on how to properly cut, light, and smoke a cigar, and so much more.
Also, aside from the blog that covers those “Hot Topics” I have my apparel clothing line that caters to men and women of the “Cigar Community” or not. I have fashionable Tees/Tanks/Hoodies/Sweatshirts for everyone that’s available for purchase on my website redlipsandcigarsticks.com.
Also, I have a YouTube channel, Red Lips and Cigar Sticks, which I have episodes of “Smoke Sessions w/Ni” that highlights me having a cigar and providing new and information about the cigar industry to my views, as well as informing and updating them about what’s going on with me and my blogs/tees.
Lastly, you have my daily highlights through my IG/FB stories and my infamous “Pep-Talk Friday” videos that come out on Fridays.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
As a child, I was always outspoken, the responsible one, in charge of everyone, a leader, and very mature. Therefore, I always played upon adult matters, because I had to grow up really fast and being an overly-mature child, kept me very focused and sharp, as a teen, young adult, and into adulthood. I was not perfect, very much boy/men crazy, but aside from that, I was very mature and handled my business, at a very young age.
And, of course, as a child 1-7 years of age, I played games and with toys, as anyone else, but once I turned eight, my whole life changed and I took on adultlike roles and responsibilities.
Pricing:
- All my Tees range from $25-$48.99 in price depending on the item and size, which is all on my website.
- If someone would like to book me to teach them how to cut,light, and smoke, the price range from $25-$45 hr
Contact Info:
- Website: redlipsandcigarsticks.com
- Phone: 980-297-4234
- Email: redlipsandcigarsticks@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redlipsandcigarsticks/;
https://www.instagram.com/redlipsandcigarstixx/ - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/redlipsandcigarsticks/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/RedLipsNCigars
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/npears/
Image Credit:
Carrie L. Flock with Ravishing Memories Photography
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
