Today we’d like to introduce you to Chief Anu Amen-Ra.
Hi Chief Anu, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Peace to the H-Town tribe and those worldwide, I’m Chief Anu-Seti Amen-Ra hailing from the Nawf-Side of the Jack (Jackson, Mississippi) Presidential Hills to be exact.
My Journey in tobacco has been deeply rooted in spiritual practices most of my life and expanded into a profession by introduction by close family.
I entered the industry through my first recreational cigar by my dear brother Darrell” Harpo” Harper and Mark Vanburen at my first home cigar shop “ Churchill Smoke Shoppe in my home of Jackson.
From there my engagement took off into the “Hobby” of learning. Taking those deep lessons, moved into the retail space as a tobacconist at D&B Cigar Corner located in Mesquite, Texas under the apprenticeship of Mr. Tim Davidson.
In those moments, I came to the conclusion that many of the consumers particularly those of Indigenous communities lost contact with how much tobacco played a deep component in our lives ranging from Medicine, Religious practices, etc.
So I took to work to bring that knowledge into the retail community by learning the craft of manufacturing cigars through travel to Cuba and the DR.
After completion of those apprenticeships, I moved into Big tobacco working for RJ REYNOLDS to learn about the business in Macro.
That brings us to current times where I am Mississippi’s only cigar maker and the youngest maker in the industry.
Currently have cigars carried in shops and personal humidors in 14+ countries & 38 states! Houston is now my primary hub outside of my home state.’
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Quite the opposite!
Navigating the industry has not been kind to me. Yet the Holy Quran states “Hard Trials Establish Truth” and in my journey, I’ve bore witness to that truth.
I proudly started my company in my garage of my home with a complete investment of my own capital and will to bring this to the people.
My main issue along the way was turning off the ears to doubt and working through my emotions and falling deeply in love with failure.
As in any business “Processes are Key” and I had to find, build & refine mine.
After which the job is to trust it and work it to completion.
We are still growing and there are pains on every level. With the help of the following gentlemen, it helped groom me to be battle ready!
– Kyris Brown Of “Kyris Kustoms
– Steven Randle Of “ Howlin River Publishing “
– Shon Harris Of “Good Spirits Bartending Service”
– Justin Martin Of “ I Just Got Hit”
– Chuck Of “Full Of Flava Photography
– D’Artagnan Winford Of “ D’Artagnan Portrait”
And many others who’ve played a part of my growth as a man and warrior in the sport of entrepreneurship.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a Boutique Cigar Designer.
My Brand “The Sartorial Tobacconist” is built off my love of Fashion & Tobacco and how through artistic expression they both uniquely intertwine.
My specialty is providing memorable “Experiences” through Our Luxury Rolling Service.
I believe that I’m most known for my eclectic mode of dress as an artistic expression and my chosen vocation of tobacco making as my way to insert my worldview into the conversation.
I’m most proud of the ability to do what I love on my own terms and live life the way I believe it should be lived; which is in abundance! To reclaim my time as using such a valuable resource to inspire is definitely what I’m most proud of.
In my mind what sets me apart from others is that I have no desire to be set apart yet to inspire everyone to become more a part of their respective communities. To propel each other, to love, to commune and to share knowledge! I make it my business to be a good neighbor and I hope my message reaches those who inspire to do the same in their own way.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
In this season of finding and walking in my purpose, I believe both have equally played a part to bring me to this point.
I’ve been given chances that I didn’t feel qualified for and fumbled opportunities that I was given.
To me that’s the ebb & flow of life and the quicker we embrace and refine our processes to learn from and be prepared for the next storm or sunny day the better.
I’ve had some crappy ends of the stick and sometimes the first slice of the pie. Both are valuable if your mind is in the right place to receive the lessons.
I’m grateful to be among those who see life for what it is. One Big Balance of the scales as my granny would say!
Pricing:
- Social Event Package (Option A) – $4000
- Social Event Package (Option B) – $3000
- Dreamer Luxury Experience – $6000
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sartorialtobacconist.com/
- Instagram: @Sartorial_Tobacconist
Image Credits
D’Artagnan Winford
