Work hard and never give up.

[AndyMadera]

Just wanted to let you guys know. I only stepped away from cigars because i was forced to for not having all the things needed to run a cigar biz. I would have been in it still if the people I was relying on to fill those gaps did what they were supposed to do. None of them did what they were supposed to in the end and I mean NONE of them.

Anyway, after 5 years at this I finally got my state license 3 months ago to where i can legally house my own inventory at my home. and last month I got my federal import license. I spent a few months living at my parents while my wife and kid lived went back to the DR while I could save enough money to start making cigars again. That by far was the hardest thing I have ever went through. My son is now 11 months old BTW! I have sacrificed so much time and money and years off my life from stress than most of you will ever know the extent of it. But I am to damn stubborn to quit.

A few days ago I imported my first batch of cigars. And I am selling them to shops as unbanded sticks and I will soon have a website up selling them as well. I have been teaching myself web programming and have built my own site from tutorials online and fitting them all together. And dont ask me how I achieved this but P*Pal has actually agreed to let me use them as my payment processing which I have integrated into the website.

There are a few of you who can expect some thankfulness coming your way for all your support. Knowing that there are people out there that like my cigars and more importantly like ME has been my #1 support in reminding me what I am doing is not in vein.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY! AND GOD BLESS!

[pnoon]

Glad to hear the good news, Andy.

Perseverance in any business venture is a must. Sounds like you have it in spades.

[AndyMadera]

I want to take back what I said about NONE of the people doing what they were supposed to. There were some that were not ABLE to do what they wanted to and I dont hold any grudges that it didnt work out. If you are one of those people please do not think I meant anything against you.

[ChicagoWhiteSox]

Glad to see you post this Andy.. God bless and best of luck

[awsmith4]

If you are one thing, that is persistent. Good luck to you and I am glad to see you are on a good path. :tu

[gbum]

Wishing you the best of luck!

[sikk50]

I wish you all the best and am greatful that small companies such as yourself are still able to make it in this day. I hope big things come for you and your company!

[CigarNut]

Good luck Andy!

[x man]

I understand completely.
Good luck.

[markem]

Great news Andy. I wish that you did not have to endure so many hardships, but remember, that which does not kill us makes us stronger.

Best wishes on your venture and I hope that it is wildly successful for you.

[sevans105]

Saw this quote and thought it appropriate.

When heaven is about to confer a great responsibility on any man, it will exercise his mind with suffering, subject his sinews and bones to hard work, expose his body to hunger, put him to poverty, place obstacles in the paths of his deeds, so as to stimulate his mind, harden his nature, and improve wherever he is incompetent.

-Meng Tzu
Chinese philosopher 372-289BC

Good luck to you.

[Don Fernando]

Glad to see you are back Andy!

[BlkDrew]

Congrats on your great achievements, hard work does pay off, I'm glad you are doing something you love.

[longknocker]

Welcome Back, Andy, & GL In Your Business, Brother!:tu:)

[Emjaysmash]

Andy! Glad to see you make it back here and back to pursuing your passion! You know you've always got support here!

[elderboy02]

Glad to see you back Andy! I have always enjoyed your cigars. :)

[FriendlyMan]

I wish you all the best.

And please give that 11 month old a hug from me. I love babies, they are so cute.

[TXRebel]

Congrats Andy! Glad to see you back and good luck with your ventures.

[lilcgrsmkr]

good luck:)

[stearns]

nice to hear you're back

[kelmac07]

Best of luck Andy.

[AndyMadera]

I wish you all the best.

And please give that 11 month old a hug from me. I love babies, they are so cute.

He gets lots of hugs all day. As much as I hated being away from him for 2 months especially in a point so special in his life, I think it made me appreciate who he is so much more and has made me be a better father. I will post some pictures after I get a chance to load them on photobucket.

[jluck]

I see you have ties to Portland Or., Maybe we will cross paths someday And best of luck to you and your family.

[AndyMadera]

I see you have ties to Portland Or., Maybe we will cross paths someday And best of luck to you and your family.

We may have already! I am a born and raised Portlander. I usually go to the Shilo Inn cigar bar atleast once a month.

What part of Oregon are you from?

[jluck]

We may have already! I am a born and raised Portlander. I usually go to the Shilo Inn cigar bar atleast once a month.

What part of Oregon are you from?

I'm a couple hours south but I get that way a couple times a month. I have stayed at that shilo before and been in the Mark a few times. I will shoot you a PM next time I head that way. I have met up with cigarnut there before.

[AndyMadera]

I'm a couple hours south but I get that way a couple times a month. I have stayed at that shilo before and been in the Mark a few times. I will shoot you a PM next time I head that way. I have met up with cigarnut there before.

Sounds like a plan! I meet up with him as well on occaision.

[GreekGodX]

Hope everything works out, Andy :tu

[maninblack]

Best of luck Andy!

[Whee]

:noon:noon

[smokin5]

Good for you!
I wish you the best of luck & hope your sacrifices pay back with interest.

[yourchoice]

Wishing you better luck this go around, Andy!

[lenguamor]

Best to you in your venture, Andrew.

[The Poet]

Welcome back, Andy. You've been missed.

As others have said, I wish you the best of success in this "restart". Just remember that the only difference between "try" and "triumph" is a little "umph". :tu

[AndyMadera]

thank you guys again for all the support. I just put the website live. I know it has its problems but it works! Ill post a link in the retailer section.

[markem]

thank you guys again for all the support. I just put the website live. I know it has its problems but it works! Ill post a link in the retailer section.

Thanks for the text Andy! Congratulation and best wishes.

[AndyMadera]

I would love to hang out again some time soon mark. My work just changed my hours to getting off at 4:30 so its harder for me to make it to the Mark by a decent time if I have other things to do before I can head over there. Have been trying to go for a few weeks now and just cant seem to actually get away.

my son turns 1 on the 27th by the way!

[jluck]

Good news Andrew, Keep up the hard work.

[whodeeni]

We've never met before Andy, but God Bless you in the continuation of your
journey!

[SvilleKid]

I ordered the Habano Rose from Andy last week. They were sitting in my P.O. Box in 3 days!! Great service. And he threw in the fiver of his second stick as promised. I have to tell you, the barnyard smell from the fiver sticks is amazing. I can't wait to give both of them a try!

[Catfish]

I was going through what's left of my stash packing for the show in Orlando and came across my one and only Reserva Miraflor toro. I was STOKED! That honey will die a flaming death post haste!

Awesome to see you're back in the game, sir. Lookin' forward to tryin some of your new wares!