Today we’d like to introduce you to Ben Amor.
Hi Ben, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hey, my name is Ben Amor, founder of Cloud 9 Smoke Co. I started my first location during my sophomore year technically “2nd freshman year” at Kennesaw State in 2011. I started my first location out of a passion for the industry, being a 20-year-old kid, and a need to pay rent and my car note. I always had big goals and dreams, but never did I think we would explode in growth like we have to over 50 locations in Florida, Tennessee, and primarily the metro Atlanta area. I have the luxury of running the day-to-day operations with my two younger brothers. Sammy (29) and Karim (26). Sammy runs all of our logistics and behind the manufacturing of some of the biggest brands in the industry. Karim is our wholesale director and runs our wholesale company SBK International “SBK” stands for the S is for Sammy, B for Ben, and the K is for Karim. We really have turned up on franchising these past 24 months and have a roster of impressive franchise owners, from professional athletes to entertainers to childhood friends.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I don’t think any real entrepreneur that has reached any real level of success will say it was a smooth road. I’m just trying to enjoy the process and learn as much as I can. Some of the struggles early on were going to college; it took me seven years to graduate, but when I graduated, I already had seven stores, so I wasn’t too hard on myself. Even though I had a business management degree, it definitely didn’t prepare me for what was ahead of me.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We have over 50 locations throughout the southeast and offer one of the easiest turn-key franchisee models I’ve ever seen. If interested in franchising, please email tyler@cloud9smokeco.com and lock in a territory today. We pride ourselves on being the most innovative smoke and vape shop with a touch of Southern hospitality and Atlanta culture. I’m a Grady Baby and proud to be from Atlanta, and I think you can tell by stepping foot at any of our locations by the custom graffiti to the custom floors to the instore music, and the overall “vibe”.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I honestly use my notes every day; every time I get an idea or need to do something, I just jot it down real quick in my notes, and then I just try to knock out as much as possible daily. I honestly am not much of a reader, but my father has always been a businessman, so growing up at his dealership really helped me realize quickly that nothing will prepare you for entrepreneurship; you just got to dive in. My dad always told me, “The riches are in the niches” so I would just find your niche and go for it.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cloud9smokeco.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/c9huncho/?hl=en
- Facebook: Facebook.com/bamor/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-amor-bb039096
