Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. Don'Juan had his very first cigar swag at a very young age. His father would frequent the billiard halls of Detroit. After his father celebrated a tournament victory among friends. Don'Juan found himself among a group of men from various backgrounds, smoking  cigars as they shared stories about their travels, families, friends and factory jobs. Don'Juan asked his father to try his cigar. The men laughed saying , "go ahead Andy give him a hit." Well his father took a big puff and said "okay you want to smoke my cigar." He gave him a hit. Don'Juan inhaled doing everything completely wrong and found himself coughing while the men laughed. His father politely took the cigar back while laughing and told Don'Juan. "If you don't know what you're doing, don't do it." Then he laughed with the other guys. While coughing, Don'Juan passionately told the room of laughing men, "one day I'll have my own cigar." The men laughed even harder and replied, not smoking like that.

The concept behind the Dignity Premium Cigars  was created while looking at the Los Angeles skyline at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. It was an awards show party going on and cigars were making the rounds. An occasional cigar smoker, Don’Juan loved the social aspect of fine premium cigars. He enjoyed the elegant essence and romantic appeal. Watching a good game while enjoying a fine cigar is very relaxing. Watching a bad game didn’t feel so bad if there was a nice cigar near. Going out alone was not so bad if you had a few cigars on hand - new friends were just a cut and a light away. He knew the social aspect of fine cigars could open doors, spark great conversations, provide relaxation and lead to an abundance of opportunity.

With all the bans in the U.S. on smoking, Don’Juan wanted to create a cigar that the world would embrace, envisioning a line of cigars grown pesticide-free with inviting aromas and great tastes. He met with a group of investors telling them his idea in confidence and grace, looking for a minimum amount of support only to be laughed out of the room with a couple of the gentlemen saying “Nobody cares about organic cigars, they just want a good taste!” The Cigar business is a tough business with a good ole’boy network, son! You will never make it.” Don’Juan politely said to the gentlemen, “Never is very long time. Good day.” 

Don’Juan booked a flight, traveling on a hope and prayer to bring his passion to life. Los Angeles to Miami, South America, Central America and all over the Caribbean. After spending a lot of time abroad in various countries,  feeling  on edge because he couldn’t put his name on the various tobaccos he had been testing and sampling. Don'Juan took a break and returned to Los Angeles for a few months.  He went back to Nicaragua to check out another factory. There he sat in the office sharing his vision for the 100th time about creating organic cigars. The manager asked Don’Juan: “Do you have your own tobacco farm?" Don’Juan replied, “No, sir, I don’t.” The manager went on to say, “The only way you can have organic cigars is to grow your own organic tobacco and that’ll take years and an abundance of money.” “Do you have an abundance of money to lose?” 

Don’Juan replied, “No, sir. I don’t. But, I don't plan on losing.” The manager suggested that Don’Juan started with some low-end product to get his name out there then grow his own tobacco as time goes on. That wasn't an option. DonJuan asked the gentlemen to give him half a acre. Just try growing the crop pesticide-free and was told that it was impossible for the 100th time.

After leaving that factory, feeling down but still standing, he expressed himself to a friend driving on the way back to Managua. His friend saw the hunger in his eyes and said, "Don’Juan, I see you really believe and have a passion for this. I want to do something for you."

Don'Juan replied, "what are you gonna do? Give me a farm?" The friend replied, "I want to introduce you to someone that can help you." He's one of the leading tobacco geneticist in the world. He's my brother in-law.  Mr. John Vogel who happened to be head of research and development for Consolidated for 20-years. Don’Juan  asked why didn't he make this introduction years ago. and the friend answered, "I wanted to know that you were serious."  Then he made the call. 

Don'Juan began to share his vision over the phone. Mr. John Vogel invited Don’Juan to his house in Nicaragua and they smoked several cigars over coffee that evening sharing his life story, his passion and vision. Upon lighting the first cigar sample, he immediately knew. This is the type of tobacco he was looking for.

His passion and vision was to come to life when he took a short flight to Costa Rica and journeyed to the high mountains of Puriscal where the tobacco is grown in the only environment that could be considered a natural humidor. The tobacco farm has been certified by the governing board of Costa Rica as an Eco-friendly establishment. The tobacco (wrapper, binder, and filler) is carefully grown and controlled in one place. The great employees of Tobaccos De La Cordillera had a unique energy about them. They cared for each cigar rolled with pride, honor and Dignity.

The cigar testing began and Don’Juan smoked a lot of cigars, about 45 cigars a day to be exact, from sun-up to sundown. After day one, the very next morning at about 5:30 a.m. Don’Juan noticed something strange. Here he was the morning after testing 45 cigars and there was no bitterness, no harsh aftertaste, no tummy ache and no headache! This can’t be. He repeated the routine over the next several days  and several more days and several more...he was convinced. It was then and there, he gave birth to the cigar brand known to the world today as Dignity Premium Cigars. Grown pesticide-free using organic fertilization offering an elegant smoothness, great taste and inviting aromas. 

 "Dignity"  - The name is dedicated and in honor of the tobacco industry, from the seed to the ash, planter to picker, rollers, molders, manufacturers, distributers, retailers, and of course, the consumer. This is why we do what we do each day; sharing our passion, our vision, our dreams, our family, our friends, our love and dedication with the world, bringing people of all nationalities together, enjoying each other, making new friends, while having a great smoking experience. - And we do it all with Dignity!