Interviews Archives - Page 17 of 27

Vaping Diaries #210: Surefire Vapor Garry Rivera & Mike McNeely Interview

Earlier this week I caught up with Surefire Vapor chief executive officer Garry Rivera and chief marketing officer Mike McNeely. The two covered a variety of topics, including the newest King Mods, updates to the Onyx Mod, the company’s upcoming atomizer, the company’s upcoming $140 mod, collaborating with Hot Import Nights, and an exciting mod design contest. While I’m a fan of the company’s Brass Knurled King Mod, I was quite envious of the dark brass Hot Import Nights King Mod and stainless-steel jewelry-finish King Mod. Be sure to check out the video for closeups of these hot mechanical mods.

When I first met the Surefire Vapor, it was one of a handful of American companies competing in the high-end mod space. These days, its seems like there’s a new American high-end mod company debuting every week. While it’s always fun to hear about new products, it was interesting to get Surefire Vapor’s view on how the market has evolved and how the company has evolved with it. McNeely also addressed the always-fun-to-chat-about issue of Chinese clones and the impact clones have had on Surefire Vapor.

Lastly, the company talked about its social media strategy. Surefire Vapor is one of the most popular vaping companies on Facebook and Instagram. While that’s always a boon to marketing efforts, many vapers feel more connected to Surefire Vapor because of the company’s social media efforts. I’ve always admired how the company has handled grassroots outreach (and wanted to make sure Nielson from Surefire Vapor got a shoutout).

When you have a chance, check out the clip above, peruse the new King Mods, get details on the mod design competition, and learn about what’s new with Surefire Vapor. After you’ve done that, kindly leave a comment below and let me know which Surefire Vapor product you’re most excited for.

Vaping Diaries #207: Bay City Vapor James Livingston Interview II

Last week at Evaporate LA, I caught up with Bay City Vapor founder James Livingston. He gave update on the company’s move from direct sales to retail, as well as an update on the SurfRider and XXIX mods. Fans of Bay City Vapor are already aware of the company’s next mod, the BFM, but just in case this surprisingly small 26650 mod is new to you, James covers it on our chat too. Moving away from product, James chatted about Bay City Vapor’s customer service philosophy, why his company uses high-quality metals, China clones, the recent FDA ruling, and more. James is a great guy that runs a great company. If you watch the clip above then I’m certain that you’ll walk away a Bay City Vapor fan.

Special thanks to Evaporate LA for letting us film there and to The Vape Summit for the t-shirt!

Vaping Diaries #201: Dr. Mike’s Rad Vapors Interview

It’s always fun catching up with the crew from Dr. Mike’s Rad Vapors. My previous chats with CEO Strek Gauthier, COO Dr. Mike Gauthier, and mixologist Ricky Medina are some of my favorite vaping interviews on RPadTV. Recently, I caught up with them at Viper Vapor LA to learn more about the new flavors in the Dr. Mike’s Rad Vapors lineup, how the company comes up with its e-liquid names, and juice flavors on the horizon. The three new flavors are:

Dragon: A delicious blend of mangosteen and dragon fruit. As a big fan of mangosteen, I…accidentally vaped an entire bottle of the juice before filming b-roll for this interview. Ha!
Fury: A banana-milk medley that will appeal to fans of creamy fruit blends.
Fortune: A natural lychee e-liquid geared towards vapors that prefer a fresh lychee taste over canned or candied versions of the fruit.

Check out the clip above to learn more about these e-liquids, as well as the nutty flavors Dr. Mike’s Rad Vapors is working on. Special thanks to Tiffany for letting us hang out at Viper Vapor LA!

Vaping Diaries #199: Rocka Mystic Owner Jan Uyl Interview

Rocka Mystic owner Jan Uyl was a pastry chef and baker for more than 30 years. He was also a cigarette smoker for more than 30 years. Thanks to vaping, he was finally able to quit smoking. However, he was never really satisfied with the juices he bought and never could find an all-day vape. He used his culinary expertise to create Rocka Mystic.

Rocka Mystic currently offers five e-liquids that cover a variety of tastes. Skidizzles, Sweet Tart, and Tiger’s Blood will satisfy vapers looking for candy flavors. With creaminess currently en vogue, the company’s Gingerbread Cream has been a hit since the end of 2013; this juice combines a sweet custard with the spicy flavors of a gingerbread cookie. Lastly, Amsterdam Slam blends tobacco, pastry notes, and spices for a really unique vape.

In the interview above, Jan talks about the formation of Rocka Mystic, expands on the company’s current flavor lineup, and talks about the upcoming Strawberry Cheesecake flavor (I’ve been vaping this one for the last few days and it’s delicious!). Jan’s unique background as a pastry chef helps give his juices layers and complexity. Be sure to hit up the Rocka Mystic web site to learn where you can pick up these unique blends.

Special thanks to The Vape Source for letting me film at the shop!

Vaping Diaries #197: True Leaf Vapor Interview

Last week, I went to Majestic Vapes in Beverly Hills to meet the owners of True Leaf Vapor. The company is working with the excellent Nirvana Vapor and has launched a line of naturally-extracted tobacco (NET) e-liquids. If you’re familiar with the Southern California vape scene then you know that the vast majority of local juice companies focus on fruit flavors, with savory dessert juices becoming popular in 2014. As a huge fan of NET e-liquids, I find it sad that most SoCal vape shops don’t carry NETs and many shop owners are ignorant when it comes to NET juices. That’s where True Leaf Vapor comes in; having a local NET e-liquid company will help educate store owners and vapers on what this style of juice offers and show people how satisfying a juice made with real tobacco can be (especially compared to juices made with artificial tobacco).

In the interview above, True Leaf Vapor owners Christopher Hildreth and Joran Nicolette talk about why they started a NET e-liquid company, the tobacco extraction method they use, the company’s four launch flavors, ideas for future juices, and more. Stay tuned for a full review of three True Leaf Vapor juices in a future edition of RPadTV Vaping Diaries.

Vaping Diaries #196: Nirvana Vapor Jay O’Brien Interview

Posted above is a chat I had with Nirvana Vapor CEO Jay O’Brien filmed at Majestic Vapes in Beverly Hills. If you’re not familiar with the company, Nirvana Vapor makes some really unique e-liquids inspired by East Asian and Indian flavors. A few of the company’s juices have wonderfully atypical flavors that left me thinking, “Wow! I’ve never had anything like this.” Additionally, Nirvana Vapor makes several traditional flavors that stand out with their complexity and multiple layers.

During our conversation, Jay spoke about using East Asian and Indian flavors in his juices, some of his unique blends like Kali’s Coconut Burfi and Rama’s Ras Malai, and some of the company’s upcoming e-liquids. As a huge fan of the Indian dessert gulab jamun, I was thrilled to learn that Nirvana Vapor is working on a gulab jamun juice — that sounds like a delicious vape!

Check out the interview above to learn more about Nirvana Vapor and it’s unique juices.

Vaping Diaries #195: Royal Vapour and ModTrades.com Interview

Earlier this week, I caught up with Royal Vapour co-owners TJ Stephens and Ali Mumin at Vape Star Los Angeles. The two told me about their backgrounds, the Royal Vapour approach to making juices, their favorite juices, upcoming flavors, and the ModTrades.com web site. The company started last year, officially kicking things off at ECC 2013. Since then, the company has become very popular in Southern California, with burgeoning national exposure.

Two of the hottest Royal Vapour e-liquids at the moment are The King’s Chew and Queen’s Custard. Stephens made the former as an homage to his childhood, when he’d chow down on Big League Chew bubbgle gum during little league baseball games. Mumin is big on custard juices, so Stephens made Queen’s Custard to satisfy his tastes.

Another project the two have launched is ModTrades.com. Designed by Mumin, the web site is an online marketplace for vapers. The buying and selling of vaping products is done between users, without the heavy moderation found on some forums and Facebook groups.

Check out the video clip above to hear the Royal Vapour story and learn about the company’s juices, as well as ModTrades.com.

Vaping Diaries #194: Ragtime Vapor Interview

It was an absolute pleasure catching up with Ragtime Vapor owners David and Ellen Farentino. Their company makes some wonderfully complex e-liquid, they’re awesome people to hang out with, and they are extremely candid on camera. While the interview above is much longer than my typical vaping interview, it’s also one of my favorite vaping pieces I’ve put together. The amount of detail David and Ellen provided was fantastic. I’m confident that any vaper that watches my Ragtime Vapor interview will walk away knowing (at least) a little bit more about the juice-making process and what goes into starting an e-liquid company.

Speaking of which, David and Ellen talk about how they started Ragtime Vapor, the whole “ragtime” concept behind the company, the four launch flavors, the extensive testing process their juices go through before going into production, and a pair of upcoming flavors (can’t wait for the lychee/ginger!).

Ragtime Vapor is going after mature vapers. The company’s juices are complex and layered, with a minimum amount of sweetness. While many “hot” juice companies are assaulting younger vapers with smack-you-in-the-face sweetness, Ragtime Vapor is taking a refined approach — one that’s especially appealing to vapers that appreciate complexity.

Check out the interview above when you have a chance. Yes, it’s long, but I’m really, really happy with all the information that the Ragtime Vapor crew served up.

Special thanks to Vape Star Los Angeles for letting us hang out and film there. Extra special thanks to Vape Star Matt for blowing wicked clouds in the b-roll shots!

Vaping Diaries #193: Cyber Liquids Anthony Garcia Interview

After meeting the Cyber Liquids crew at Vapetoberfest, it was great catching up with the company’s managing partner, Anthony Garcia at Vapers Exhibit. He told me about the company’s two new flavors — Elysian Fields and Vader. Going after the crowd that’s going gaga over Suicide Bunny’s hugely popular Mother’s Milk e-liquid, Elysian Fields is a milky blueberry blend. Vader is a sweet concoction that gives you the rich flavor of cookie dough, but without all the calories. (It may or may not be true that vaping Vader causes you to speak like James Earl Jones.)

Anthony also talks about Cyber Liquids’ new retail store in Tustin, California. He graciously tolerated my suggestion that Cyber Liquids’ theme song should be “Straight Outta Tustin.”

Vaping Diaries #192: Lost Art Liquids Interview at Majestic Vapes

Earlier this week I was hanging out at Majestic Vapes for the Lost Art Liquids launch event. Company founders Ryan Thomas and Brian Worthy chatted with me about how this e-liquid venture got started, their approach to making juices, the four Lost Art Liquids launch flavors, and upcoming flavors. I’ve known Brian for quite some time and he currently owns one of the best vape shops in Beverly Hills, offering a chill atmosphere and some of the best prices in Los Angeles. Ryan, an awesome personal trainer by day, I know from hanging out at various Los Angeles vape shops. It’s cool watching two people I like start a new vape company and hopefully Lost Art Liquids is a success.

I’m currently vaping Lost Art Liquids’ Chivalry and Solitude. Check out the clip above to learn more about the company and the flavors it offers.