Powstanie Cigars, Polish Heritage, and Better Cigar Retail

From Creekside Podcast Ep. 058: One of Our New Favorite Cigar Brands (Feat. Powstanie Cigars), aired Jul 17, 2026. Recorded at Creekside Cigar Co. in Maineville, Ohio.

In this Creekside Podcast conversation, Dave sits down with Mike S. of Cigar Hustler and Powstanie Cigars. They talk about Mike’s Polish-American family history, the road from running a small shop to building a cigar business, and the relationships that help independent retailers and brands grow together. Along the way, they consider what makes a cigar worth recommending: not just its reputation, but its quality, value, and the people behind it.

What does Powstanie mean, and why does heritage matter?

Mike explains that Powstanie means uprising or resistance. His Polish heritage is important to the brand name, even though he says he grew up knowing relatively little about his family’s history and culture. During the conversation, he recounts stories he learned from relatives about his grandparents’ experiences during the Second World War and his father’s birth in Great Britain while the family was making its way to the United States.

That history gave the name a personal connection. Mike also describes his early retail experience as a struggle to find his footing and access products, which made the idea of resistance feel fitting. The name, then, links family heritage with the persistence he brought to building a business. It is a reminder that a brand story can come from lived experience rather than borrowed imagery.

How did Mike S. get started in the cigar business?

Before cigars, Mike worked in several businesses, including a gas station. He and his brother later opened a shop that began with plans for a tattoo parlor and head shop, but the tattoo side ran into zoning restrictions. Customers began asking for cigars, and the partners started carrying them while still working other jobs. Mike recalls beginning with a small assortment and gradually growing the business.

He did not start out as a seasoned cigar smoker. After his first cigar made him feel unwell, he kept trying cigars and learning. A turning point came when a friend sent him an unbanded cigar from RoMa Craft. Mike eventually smoked it, was impressed, and reached out to the company. He describes the resulting relationship as a genuine partnership: the people involved supported one another, and trust developed through consistent actions over time.

What makes a cigar retailer’s recommendation useful?

Mike and Dave agree that good retail service is about helping customers discover cigars they will enjoy, not simply steering them toward the most expensive option. Mike describes a familiar situation: a customer comes in for a well-known cigar, and the retailer offers a couple of alternatives to try. The goal is to introduce another worthwhile experience, not to pressure someone to abandon a cigar they already love.

That approach depends on product knowledge built through experience. The conversation touches on how some cigars can feel overpriced for what they deliver, while others offer a strong experience at a more accessible price. Mike says retailers need to know what they are recommending and to be honest about what they do and do not know. A rating or a polished story is not a substitute for careful selection and firsthand familiarity.

For Creekside, choosing a brand for the humidor also comes down to confidence in the people behind it. Dave says he wants to support a brand and its people, while still ensuring the cigars meet a basic quality standard. That kind of commitment matters because retailers invest their time and attention in helping customers find a cigar they may return to buy again.

Why do trust and accountability matter in cigar partnerships?

Mike shares a principle he learned from a business partner: do the right thing whether or not someone is watching. He connects that idea to the small decisions that build a durable business relationship, such as taking responsibility when a shipment or order needs attention. In the conversation, Dave recounts a recent order mix-up and Mike’s immediate offer to cover the extra shipping if needed. Dave says the offer stood out because it showed accountability rather than an attempt to shift blame.

They also discuss the importance of fair terms for retailers of different sizes. A discount that only becomes available after a very large purchase may favor bigger accounts rather than give everyone a workable opportunity. Their broader point is that a healthy cigar business should create value along the chain—from maker to retailer to customer—instead of relying on hidden advantages or one-sided deals.

Key takeaways

• Powstanie means uprising or resistance, a name Mike connects to Polish heritage and persistence.
• Mike’s cigar business grew from a small retail operation and a willingness to learn the category firsthand.
• Retail recommendations work best when they help customers explore good alternatives without dismissing their favorites.
• Trust, accountability, and fair business terms are essential to lasting relationships between brands and retailers.

Cigars from this episode

• Padrón Millennium: Mike calls it one of the greatest cigars and says it remained amazing with age.
• Padrón 50th Toro Maduro: Mike describes it as a close second to the Millennium at a more reasonable price; Dave says he liked it.
• RoMa Craft Neanderthal HN: Mike says he likes it to end the evening and asks Dave to bring him some.
• RoMa Craft Aquitaine: An unbanded cigar sent by a friend impressed Mike and led him to contact RoMa Craft.

Shop, smoke and listen with Creekside

• Shop the cigars from this episode
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