How Garrison Davis Turned Cigar Passion Into AVO Work
From Creekside Podcast Ep. 068: How To Go From Cigar Fan To Working In Cigars! (Garrison, AVO Cigars), aired Sep 25, 2026. Recorded at Creekside Cigar Co. in Maineville, Ohio.
On this Creekside Podcast, we sit down with Garrison Davis of AVO Cigars to hear how he went from cigar consumer and finance professional to working in the premium cigar industry. We talk about the unexpected connections that helped open the door, what a brand ambassador does, how factory visits deepen appreciation, and why welcoming lounge culture matters to both new and longtime smokers.
How did Garrison Davis get a job in the cigar industry?
Garrison had smoked cigars since he was 18, but before moving to Florida he was a consumer rather than an industry professional. He had spent six or seven years in finance and wasn’t expecting cigars to become his career. After moving to the Tampa area, he started smoking more and followed Creekside’s videos and social media. He says our content made an impression because it showed a younger crew building something in cigars.
The opportunity came through a personal connection. Garrison’s fiancée met the wife of a cigar-industry colleague, and a conversation at a housewarming party revealed that a role was open. The next morning, his fiancée urged him to apply. He checked in with the hiring manager, heard “shoot your shot,” went through several interviews, and started in April 2025.
His story is a useful reminder for cigar fans who wonder whether there’s a way into the business: relationships and enthusiasm can matter, even when your résumé doesn’t follow a traditional tobacco-industry path. Garrison also describes the importance of being willing to put yourself forward and learn on the job.
What does a cigar brand ambassador do?
Garrison’s role is to connect the company with the people and shops working with its cigars. He describes being a liaison between what retailers need on the ground and the broader company, including the numbers and decisions that travel back to the global side of the business. He also helps make a large, established brand feel more personal by building relationships with retailers and consumers.
His work involves plenty of travel. Garrison estimates that he is on the road around 60 to 70 percent of the time, depending on the season and product activity. He also helps with in-store experiences. One example he shared was a cocktail pairing built around a lemongrass daiquiri kit and a cigar. The goal is to guide people through the pairing and give them a fresh way to experience the cigar’s flavors.
He initially worked behind the scenes with Camacho before moving into the AVO role. That transition also meant a change in visibility: after keeping a lower profile while he was with Camacho, he found himself representing AVO more publicly.
What can factory visits teach a cigar smoker?
Garrison says his visits to the Dominican Republic offered a “tidal wave of knowledge.” Seeing each stage, from tobacco processing and aging through rolling and quality control, gave him a stronger appreciation for the work behind a finished cigar. He emphasizes the skilled human judgment involved, including how experienced workers assess tobacco as it ferments and decide what it needs next.
That perspective also changed how he thinks about tasting cigars. At work, he had the chance to smoke samples at different stages of development. He recalls trying one sample in January, finding it bitter, then tasting it again in April and June as it developed. Watching tobacco change over those months gave him a firsthand lesson in the role of aging.
During our conversation, we smoked an AVO cigar made in Honduras, a first for the brand according to Garrison. He described its Ecuadorian Corojo wrapper, Honduran binder, and Honduran and Nicaraguan fillers. We talked about its spice, earthy and leathery character, and the smoother, sweeter notes that emerged as the smoke progressed. Dave found it more expressive than he expected from AVO and particularly enjoyed the Churchill format.
Why do lounges matter to the next generation of cigar smokers?
Garrison sees service, a thoughtful humidor, and a strong digital presence as ways shops can welcome new customers. He praised Creekside’s boutique-focused selection and the work we do to make the lounge appealing to people who may be encountering many of its brands for the first time. At the same time, he recognizes that every shop needs to serve its own community and that different customers look for different mixes of familiar and less familiar cigars.
For both of us, the cigar can be only one part of what brings people through the door. A good lounge gives people a place to talk, share recommendations, and spend time together. Garrison describes premium cigars as an analog experience: choosing, cutting, lighting, and sharing a cigar creates a reason to connect in person. That community can make a first visit feel less intimidating and help a new smoker find dependable favorites while leaving room to explore.
Key takeaways
- Garrison moved from finance into cigars after a personal connection helped him discover an open role.
- A brand ambassador builds relationships between retailers, consumers, and the wider company.
- Factory visits and tasting samples over time can deepen appreciation for tobacco and cigar-making.
- Good service, welcoming spaces, and genuine community help lounges connect with new and experienced smokers.
Cigars from this episode
- AVO Classic Robusto: Garrison identifies it as his first cigar.
- AVO Royale: Mentioned briefly; Dave recalls trying it and finding it fine.
- AVO Honduran cigar (name unclear): Smoked during the conversation; discussed in Churchill, Toro, and Robusto formats.
Shop, smoke and listen with Creekside
- Join the Creekside Cigar Club for boutique cigars picked by our crew every month
- Visit our cigar lounge at 1381 US-22, Maineville, OH, open seven days a week
- Subscribe to the Creekside Podcast on YouTube and catch every episode
