Hidden Gems: Meet Davon Smith of Vaperz_Edge

Today we’d like to introduce you to Davon smith.

Hi Davon, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My name is Davon Smith and I also am known as vaperz_edge on social media sites. My journey began in 2012 when I was introduced to electronic vapor devices by receiving an early model from a friend. The technology was so new that options and information were limited. I used the device off and on until the blu brand e-cigarettes came out with smaller portable units and a recharge option for on the go. My wife and I quickly bought a model each, along with refills to last us a while. This was a temporary solution, though, as the devices did not produce enough vapor to satisfy our nicotine cravings, and we switched back to combustible tobacco a few weeks after purchasing them. One day while working at a restaurant here in Houston, a co-worker offered me to try his new vape device, and I could immediately tell that it had more potential for me to quit smoking. I went to a local vape shop the same day to make a purchase and for the next few weeks, using them in place of smoking.

During that time, a community began to form, and new social media platforms became the main feed for information and updates. The understanding for making the switch and the support of the community to stay with it was so motivating for me. I enjoyed the new friends and hobbies I had found so much that it became a goal to motivate others and help them learn this new alternative. Local competitions began to happen between others who could blow bigger clouds for distance or density, and before I knew it, success! I had been without cigarettes for a few months and didn’t think about it anymore. I had been competing locally and posting on social media that, before I knew it, success! I had been without cigarettes for a few months and didn’t think about it anymore. One day at a competition, I saw a few people blowing circles or rings with vapor, and a smaller category was born that caught my attention from the first sight. Vape tricks became a major focus for me, and also as the industry developed, I still aimed to educate myself alongside making visual art. This medium of vape tricks was new, and it offered a lot of mystery, as the potential to learn and develop a mastery of the art.

As time went on, a place was made in the community for vape tricks and I started to gain a following. Which motivated me to aim towards newer and more difficult tricks as well as strive to develop some of my own. Social media became a way of life, and I had met so many amazing people on my journey so far. One day a flyer went out to the masses, stating a global competition would be held and all could enter. Now was my chance to show the world what I had learned in my craft. A few months after and several rounds later, it was down to the final contestants in the competition. I won! I couldn’t believe that this community was so powerful and has continued to change my life. My influence grew within the community and on social media. Opportunities to help others learn of new brands were becoming possible and I started partnering with apparel, food, and other entities outside of just vaping. This past year I was able to open an online novelty store, focus more on other passions of mine, such as gaming, and have even become an affiliate on twitch. I became an amazon influencer and also made it to the top 5% of google local guides here in Houston. I recently have made a point to draw my attention a bit more inward and really get to meet everyone in Houston who follows social media or does it themselves. Thank you to all who support me and for listening to my story. Have a great day, Houston!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My wife was shot in late 2015 and the vape community supported my family and me until I could get back to a regular job. The generosity from the vape community, family & random strangers helped our family cover expenses till she could get on her feet. I also suffer from an illness known as cluster headaches. It is a very intense pain that has no cure and can come at any moment. This illness has made it hard to keep a regular 9 to 5 job so working from home has been a life-changing option. I recently had an emergency room visit and began a new medication, which I hope will make my day-to-day life a bit easier. My apartment flooded twice in one year, resulting in moving multiple times and losing many possessions. I gained the opportunity to work with a lot of great companies through social media & after a few years of support from the online community.

We decided to open our first online novelty store www.vaperzedgeshop.com. It was a challenge getting it initially open & ready for business, but the struggle was worth it. I’ve learned a lot about business and tried to meet others here in Houston who also own a business or create content. Partnering with people like this has also allowed some cool products and experiences, such as setting up a mobile version of my store during a car show here in Houston. There is a lot to learn when opening a business and also, being a small independent company it takes time to set up and cover all your bases. Another issue I faced was having “high risk’ items such as pocket knives or extendable staves was hard to sell online. Shipping items is a world of its own but I never back away from an opportunity to learn something vital and that I don’t know. Another factor is what’s relevant or in right now is an ever-changing landscape that you must learn to walk on. Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?

My store is full of things that I enjoy! It’s a way for others to share what I have found useful or find products they can gift. We are expanding our website to not only novelty items but also, custom apparel, jewelry & services from another artist. I am proud to be able to help others and of the community that follows my journey. Together we help create amazing spaces for others to enjoy and stay informed with current trends or events. Another thing that sets us apart is the connection with social media and the potential to feature other brands or creator’s merch, art, or whatever the community imagines. I have also found mutual support from other local businesses and restaurants with discount codes or specialty items, so we can share the message of great things to enjoy together. Moving into 2021 and the world still dealing with a pandemic has been hard for everyone. I look forward to a smoother year, as I’m sure many do!

How do you define success?
So, what’s next? Any big plans? I would love to make my business even bigger and possibly make my way into the coffee scene. I have had a passion for coffee and think I could really succeed in this future goal. Maybe even mix the two and have a coffee novelty store with an actual location. Science is another interest of mine, and I’ve started to feature small experiments on my social media pages. I look to continue to share my findings with those who follow my journey and see YouTube as a perfect platform to learn from while hosting more adventures. One personal goal of mine is to save for a house or property that I can modify and call my own. Over the last two years, I have begun exploring another passion of mine, gaming. I began live-streaming daily on twitch, and it’s been amazing to have so many people to share special moments with. I will strive to continue to be a beacon of information and relevant events. This year I aim to become a solid figure for food reviews and strive to get to know my Houston following even better. I look forward to continuing to partner with others and grow together. I also have a love for animals, and breading boxers has been in my family since my youth. I have a carin terrier and just bought voice buttons to help him communicate with us. I will be featuring the puppy and his progress on my socials. I hope to work with more animals, this year too. Thank you for being a huge part of Houston. I love this city!

Contact Info:

• Email: davonsmith44@gmail.com
• Website: Vaperzedgeshop.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vaperz_edge/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vaperzedge
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/EdgeVaperz
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@vaperz_edge