Young Black Entrepreneur, Cigar Aficionado, Exhales Success

The economic outlook might look grim for many of us, but if you're an entrepreneur like Devin James, Sr., this is a perfect time to spend money and buy or team up with other companies.

James, the founder and president of The Devin James Group, recently formed an alliance with Eden's Gate Cigars to lead their brand management which includes a nice profit split with the Devin James Group.

The Memphis, Tenn., native is 26 and lives and works out of St. Louis. He's in charge of directing the marketing, advertising, public relations, product placement and event initiatives for the cigar brand. The first campaign is called "Enjoy Success, Exhale With Style."

"There are very few African-Americans in the tobacco business. This can open lots of doors," he said.

And despite heightened health concerns over the dangers of smoking, puffing on a cigar has continually got a pass and flown under the radar of ridicule as a classy pastime.

"Cigars, it's a status symbol and they have always been a class symbol. It's not a $5 pack of cigarettes. It's an all natural product. I've found that this product goes well with marketing jewlery and luxury cars. It projects a certain status," James says.

When James started a one-man marketing company in 2004, he quickly found that his clients needed a lot more than his expertise as a graphic designer.

"They didn't want to hire anyone else though. It forced me to turn my small company into a small ad agency," he said. "I created a solid team to pull off things I needed for my clients, brand advertising and marketing and consulting.

The cigar business is not the only one this cigar aficionado's group is investing in. Devin James Group also owns Auto Hood Media, a product that might replace tradition car sticker art advertising. The car hood advertisements, like the Obama one below, uses a breathable fabric that installs in minutes and removes in seconds.