We spoke to Olivia Bromano, the cigar lady / mixologist for the Big House Tobacco Outlet in PA.
Olivia please tell us a little about yourself. Your Instagram specifies Cigar Lady at Big House Tobacco outlet. Tell us a little more about that.
OR: Thanks for having me! I’m the General Manager and Chief Mixologist at Big House Tobacco. We’re a cigar lounge located in Scranton, PA (celebrating our 10 years this October!) We specialize in a wide array of product, from high-end whiskeys to locally sourced craft beers to niche cigars, with a portfolio that is constantly expanding.
Do you see yourself as an “influencer” and if so, what does that mean to you?
OR: That’s tricky. I’m just a girl on the internet sharing pictures of what makes me happy, and somewhere along the way, people paying attention. So, I suppose yes, in a technical sense, I see myself as an influencer. But it’s bigger than that- Building a personal brand isn’t so much about the products you represent as it is about the way you connect with your audience. For me, being an influencer means that people chose to follow you because they value and trust what you have to offer.
Where does your style savvy come from, and where do you get your inspiration?
OR: It’s all over the place. I love Stevie Nicks, and if I could be anything, it’d be her. On the other hand, I’m obsessed with Al Pacino. And Rob Zombie…..and a little Ariana Grande. I Frankenstein little pieces of what I like from all over the place.
Who is your primary audience, and what do you think keeps them coming back and engaging with you on Instagram?
OR: It’s funny- most of my audience finds me from my official Instagram, @bighousetobaccooutlet, so they’re primarily cigar smokers or whiskey drinkers. However, my personal page is still my personal page, and it’s exactly that: it’s not perfectly curated, or advertisements. Yet for some reason, I think that’s why they keep choosing to come back. I’m able to really be the girl behind the cigars and interact with them on a more personal level.
Do you smoke cigars? if so, what are some of your favorite varietals/origins?
OR: It would be hard not to, haha! I really don’t think the Dominican gets the praise it deserves. While it may not get the recognition or pack the punch that Cubans do, it’s so versatile and easily balanced.
What are your favorite trends at the moment?
OR: I love that the internet has made lesser known brands more accessible. There’s the industry powerhouses, and that’s great… but there’s something that just makes these smaller lines feel more personal. My current favorite up-and-comers are Protocol (owned by a few former NYPD officers) & Maximilian by Max Peters (a hometown guy!)
The cigar industry is becoming more aware and inclusive of women who love cigars. What do you think is responsible for this new movement? What can tobacco brands do to make the industry even more inclusive then it already is?
OR: Honestly, I think one of the huge factors behind inclusivity of women in the industry really is Instagram. It’s cast a light on the fact that yes, women DO smoke cigars- and there’s strength in numbers.
How do you feel about in-genuine content being posted on social media, as so many people are being paid to promote?
OR: This goes back to our earlier discussion about influencing…It feels so robotic to me. Seeing “AD” on a post immediately turns me off. It’s cheap, and in my opinion, the quickest way to alienate your audience.
When you’re not working, what do you do to unwind?
OR: A lot of the patrons make a joke that I live at here at Big House, but they’re not wrong. On or off the clock, there’s usually nowhere else I’d rather be. It sounds corny, but It’s a big family, whether you’ve been visiting us for years or it’s your first time.
How does it feel to be influential to other people?
OR: It’ll always be weird to me that there’s really people out there that genuinely care about the things I do and the way I think about things. It’s definitely a good weird, though.
What’s the ladies drink of choice? And if paired with a cigar what combination do you go with?
OR: Hand me a glass of white wine, no matter where or when, and we’ll be best friends. With a cigar, a single malt will never get old to me; specifically, Laphroiag or other Islays. What can I say? I love that scorched earth taste.
Any last words?
OR: The biggest of thank you to the team at Taste The Dram for thinking I have things worth saying! If you’re reading this, come hang out with me at my personal page, @oliviabromano if you want to watch me nerd out about Halloween…. And my business page, @bighousetobaccooutlet, if you want to follow along as my staff and I share the exciting products we carry here. Or… do both. 😉
