Smoking Out the Competition: HotVapes Personal Vaporizers

HotVapes started in early 2010, after Tim Roche's girlfriend Helen got her first personal vaporizer (also known as an e-cigarette). At the time, she was a pack-a-day smoker who had no intention of quitting--but after using her new vaporizer, she walked off an airplane and never bought another pack. Tim realized that if it helped her, there was a good chance it would be able to help others, too. Thus was HotVapes born.

Currently, the company sells a number of different personal vaporizer packages at different price points, as well as a selection of different flavored liquids. These liquids contain propylene glycol (a common chemical approved for foods) mixed with flavors, much like a hookah tobacco, but without the toxic chemicals such as carbon monoxide, tar, and benzenes. These liquids are available in flavors like Mango, Blueberry Fest, and Coconut Dream Pie, and are available with or without nicotine.

While HotVapes is still just starting out--and mainly sells through its website, HotVapes.com--the company is seeing more and more distribution at tobacco and headshops across the country. (In case you were wondering, despite the fact that they've been covered in Headquest Magazine, HotVapes cannot be used for marijuana.) The company's merchant customers are expected to display the HotVapes sticker in their storefront windows, letting the public know that they carry HotVapes personal vaporizers. In this way, HotVapes hopes to make its brand easily identifiable to anyone familiar with personal vaporizers.

Why did Tim and Helen choose Custom Sticker Makers for their sticker printing?  "Mainly we liked your site, found it easy to navigate and your customer service was very good," said Tim. "Reasonable prices always helps, too."

(Bottom photo: Ash's Wicker Park Tobacconist, Chicago)