CigarsVodka &

Written by Richard Stewart

Understanding The Business Of Marriage

Regi and Pamela Myles are, in many ways, the quintessential definition of the term “Power Couple.” As the owner/founders of Jerome Renee Premium Cigars and Vodka, they know a thing about teamwork, communication, trust, and, well… Cigars and Vodka!

When it comes to how they got started, Regi gives all credit to his wife, Pamela. “It was her idea. She did all the research for it. We were both Vodka drinkers, but we couldn't find anything on the market that we enjoyed. We like it neat, like most vodka connoisseurs. We couldn’t find anything that didn’t leave us with headaches, calling in sick the next day. Pam came to me and said, 'Hey, I want to start my own Vodka brand!'"

This decision would be as positively fateful as it is groundbreaking. Pamela is the only Black female vodka brand owner in the entire state of Georgia.

Although it has been a swift rise, the couple has faced their fair share of challenges on the road to success. Everything from being seen as “too small” a company to distill, distribute, and sell their own product, to being questioned on their knowledge of liquor laws when it came to selling their liquor in stores. "How can you sell liquor and not know the liquor laws?" Regi asks incredulously.

Like any self-respecting fast starter, Pam had already done the research to begin the process when she first had the idea to create her own vodka brand. “This is my brand, and these are OUR brands as well, so we are top to bottom the brand, the sales, the distributors we are the ambassadors. We represent our brands from top to bottom. I don’t want to put our brands in someone else’s hands This is our baby; these are our products that we've put everything into We are the ones who will care for how they are represented in the brand's image for ourselves and for the community ”

With this much passion, desire for success, and the willingness to put in the work, it's easy to see why the brand has taken off in such a short time of existence Pamela says, "We are doing the groundwork So you’ll see me or Regi on a Friday or a Saturday at a liquor store or restaurant doing a popup, telling them about our brand, introducing ourselves to the community The response we get is, 'Hey neighbor, nice to meet you Would you like to give us a try?' I can’t tell you how many people have asked me to sign the bottle because they’ve never met a brand owner Not just a vodka brand owner, but a cigar owner "

It is these personal touches that set this brand apart from everyone else "When you start a business, it takes on a different feeling when you put your name on it This is not a one-off thing I don’t want you to feel as though we are against celebrities speaking about our product, because we have We've had the privilege to meet a lot of great celebrities They’ve posted and are consistent with us But we are building a legacy here We want to be here 150 years from now We don’t mind taking the steps instead of the elevator Great taste lasts forever "

Two Brands

However, the couple dedicates just as much time and the same discerning eye toward their cigar business. Regi cleared the market value of his cigars. "To be a true cigar aficionado, you have to have deep pockets. It's like many of our hobbies; it requires dedication.

Availability

But the uniqueness is that we're not limited to where it can be carried How it's packaged ranges from your fine lounges to your package store, corner store, vape shops anywhere with a license to sell it "

Premium Cigars

Pamela continues, "With the cigars, Regi took the time to find the brands he liked Jerome is his middle name, Renee is my middle name That's how we came up with the name Jerome Renee premium cigars "

Regi quickly explains that packaging is everything in this business, just like product placement in stores and bars "In our business, placement can be crucial It used to be that if you were on the top shelf, you were one of the best products Now that people are changing the way their bottle is made, it can't fit anywhere but the top shelf So it's a marketing game," he continues "Everything about this has a connection to us That's why we're passionate about it That's why we're meticulous about it It cannot be understated how significant it is that Jerome Renee has its own distribution company, making it possible for them to ship their products faster and more efficiently, while keeping that money 'in-house ' The decision was born out of dissatisfaction and being dropped by their distributor at the time Pamela explains indepth, "We started becoming a distributor because we were with a distributor, and the results we were seeing weren't good for us After so many setbacks, we had spent so much time and money, and they were seemingly intentionally doing things that would set us back After the Super Bowl, we said, 'Hey, we will never let someone else control our destiny '"

Who are the Dixons and how did you get started in the logistics business?

We are a blended family from Pensacola, FL, and Philadelphia, PA, who moved to Henry County with a couple of dollars and a dream. We are two passionate entrepreneurs that have put God first and found success in the logistics space We started off in entry-level logistics jobs as a warehouse clerk and truck driver

We brought our unique skills, strong industry relationships, and combined 30 years of logistics expertise together to establish our business, SCALE Logistics.

Q & A with the Dynamic Duo Behind SCALE Logistics

When most people see your story online, they say you’re a couple that makes love look good again. How important was it to learn your partner's love language and pour into each other, showing value in your spouse?

We always have people tell us we are "couple goals," and they can’t wait to be blessed with a partner Behind the cute videos and photos, there's a lot of prayer, tough conversations, and a willingness to be our best selves in our relationship With a 13-year age difference and very different personalities, it was critical to build a solid foundation of understanding each other's needs, wants, and desires. Understanding each other's love language helped us love, support, and pour into each other the way we individually desired

What roles do you both play in the business, and how do you ensure your team understands your vision and mission?

As CEO and COO, we both operate every process in most areas Shay Lynn handles new customer acquisition, marketing, and new hire training Demetrius oversees Carrier Partners and compliance We established standards for company culture, vision, and mission being transparent, accountable, and proactive. We communicate values in meetings and actions, ensuring our team aligns with our vision.

How can couples thrive first at home before going into a business together?

Like a business, marriage requires a strong foundation Lay this foundation by involving God in every decision and plan Spiritually connecting helps in moving forward in business and home life Clear communication, shared goals, mutual trust, and prioritizing individual growth are key Open dialogue, shared vision, and trust form a thriving partnership

What was your journey like getting to where you are today? What key factors and times helped you work together as a team?

Our journey wasn’t easy, but we understood the assignment. With clear expectations, goals, and non-negotiables, we got married after previous marriages. Life events like our son's epilepsy diagnosis, moving to a new state, and pandemic challenges forced us to rely on each other. Adversities united us, building deep trust, increasing our faith, and making us a team Now, when trials come, we overcome them together

With spending most of your time together, how do you prioritize individual growth?

While we prefer each other's company, we intentionally create space We maintain separate offices, pursue individual hobbies, and spend time with friends independently. Setting time for selfreflection, self-care, and new hobbies allows us to grow individually and enhance our partnership

You are active in community service. Why is this important to your business values?

We believe in giving back and uplifting our community. Investing time and resources uplifts the community's development, making it better for all Contributing through scholarships, donations, mentoring, and volunteering aligns with our values and strengthens our community bonds.

What are 5 tips for couples going into business together?

Be Real: Acknowledge strengths and areas for growth.

Assign Roles: Share responsibilities to avoid overburdening one person.

Set Boundaries: Balance business, family, and personal time.

Have Weekly Meetings: Stay aligned and provide feedback

Leave Work at Work: Define working hours and cherish personal time