An unstable economy is not scaring off everyone. Two college students are
taking the plunge right into the business world, and it's paying off.
"There's so many things that you never take into account when you start a
business," Texas Avenue Cigars (College Station, TX) Co-Owner Sean Miller said.
Over the last year, Sean Miller and Jess Fields have learned more than most
textbooks could ever teach them.
The 20-year-old college students may not be old enough to legally drink or
gamble, but they did take a risk when they started their own business, Texas Ave
Cigars in 2007.
Back then, they weren't sure if their business venture would last a week, let
alone a year.
But little did they know how perfect their timing was.
"We were really lucky that we got in when we did," Co-Owner Jess Fields said.
"Without the liquidity of the market at the time that we got in, I don't think
we would have been able to get a bank loan as easily, or not at all."
The young entrepreneurs got another real-life lesson when the stock market began
to decline just months after they opened their doors. But despite the slumping
market, this cigar store is actually thriving.
"The economy really hasn't affected us that much, because we have college
students that make up about 80 percent of our business. So it takes a while for
the economy to hurt them and their wallets," Miller said.
In fact, the store owners actually are expecting a slight increase in their
customer base, partly due to the fact that people might be looking for a way to
be distracted from the negative economy talk.
"In rough economic times, people will go to bars more often and they'll want to
enjoy a cigar more often," Fields said.
So for two College students looking to get an early start in the business
world....
"It's been a pretty good year," Miller said.
The owners of Texas Avenue Cigars say in the near future the plan to grow their
business even more.
The two already have plans to expand their humidor, and make store renovations.
Texas Avenue Cigars
1800 Texas Ave S
College Station, TX 77840
(979) 693-6734
Sean Miller, left, and Jess Fields, right, owners of Texas Ave. Cigars, talk
with former gubernatorial candidate and author Kinky Friedman.
