How did Puff Labs MFG begin, and what was your first flavor?
Puff Labs was originally started in early 2013 in our retail store. Shortly after we opened we were surrounded by competing shops so we decided to sell our house made liquid at a wholesale level. Our first hand-pour lab was only 100sq. ft and employed only 8 people. It was sectioned off in the back of our retail store in Las Vegas. Our first major flavors included Baja Blast and Bomb Pop which still stock a few shelves to this day. These were the early days of development and our marketing/packaging strategies were still being crafted. We created many former smokers during this time. It was really fulfilling to see people make the switch to a safer alternative. After we developed Circus Cookie, it was a wrap and we were set to expand into the Puff Labs we have today.
What is the culture like at Puff Labs? How many people play a part?
At Puff Labs we all pull our own weight. Every day can vary, and I admire our ability to overcome adversity in a very rapidly shifting market. This is not the easy money it was back in earlier years. We spend about 50% of our time in research and development, as well as, marketing these days. We make use of all our staff and encourage them to contribute in the bigger picture. We are working all day, everyday, to pave a bright future for vapers, our colleagues, our valued vendors, and our shareholders alike. The great thing about Puff labs is we have several decades of collective experience from our assembly line to our senior management.
There is a common value we all share and that is to do our best every single day.
What type of setbacks has Puff Labs experienced, if any?
The type of setbacks we experience are usually lessons learned. We have ups and downs all the time like any other company. There is no manual to success. Its just constant sharpening and a higher resolve. When it comes to being a vertically integrated E-liquid manufacturer and sales company there are many variables that need adjusting constantly. We run several systems to maintain our quality control and customer experience. This can be spinning plates at times as our input and output can sometimes grow and contract at a moments notice. And always in the back of my head has been the regulation that’s coming. This is no joke to us at all. It has taken every grain of sanity we have to make our products a safe investment for any vendor, and a responsible supplier to our vapers who buy our products.
Presently, what seems to be the most difficult aspect of being in the vape industry?
I don’t do much to focus on the difficulties. I’ll say this, I respect this game. Its been a breeding ground for innovation and competing. We have always been studying and striving for more. A lot of finding what we’re missing and developing our strategy and our management practice. We live and die by that. There is a common value we all share and that is to do our best every single day.
What is Puff’s perspective on the current FDA regulations?
Puff Labs perspective on regulations with FDA is comprehensive. We are in a market where we have had many freedoms and now that’s all changing. Our perspective is, it’s a good thing because we are for the people, by the people. We know we have a responsibility to carry for our industry and society in general. We are in an age where we just go by the law and that is what we will continue to do. At the moment we are in good standing (compliance) with any and all bureaus and agencies nationwide and also worldwide. We just work with what we can control. Our goal is to supply people with great E-Liquid.There is a common value we all share and that is to do our best every single day.
Are there any big announcements coming from Puff regarding new flavors?
There are many exciting things on the horizon for Puff Labs in the days ahead. Let’s just say the Circus is back in town and you will see some new skus soon. Strange Fruit is set to make a fully compliant comeback. Our nic-salts are in R & D currently and we are excited to offer those soon. We never sleep at Puff Labs. You can expect to see something new all the time.
How do you decide what flavors to manufacturer?
At Puff Labs we all pull our own weight. Every day can vary, and I admire our ability to overcome adversity in a very rapidly shifting market. This is not the easy money it was back in earlier years. We spend about 50% of our time in research and development, as well as, marketing these days. We make use of all our staff and encourage them to contribute in the bigger picture. We are working all day, everyday, to pave a bright future for vapers, our colleagues, our valued vendors, and our shareholders alike. The great thing about Puff labs is we have several decades of collective experience from our assembly line to our senior management.
There is a common value we all share and that is to do our best every single day.
What separates Puff Labs from other e-liquid manufacturers?
I think what separates Puff Labs is our passion. Most of us are former vape shop workers or customers of our brick and mortar. We didn’t really get into this to supply the world with E-Liquid, but with our hard work ethic, the byproduct has been global success. We are probably the most random hodge-podge of people but we have transformed into a family. We all have different backgrounds in our former careers, it makes for an eclectic and well-rounded team. When the industry throws an obstacle our way, Puff’s response is one of resilience. We are overcomers and problem solvers. We truly believe in what we do.
What is the best part about what you do?
The best part of what we do is we are changing the world hand in hand with a network of vapers, vendors, and affiliates. It is almost surreal how vape has made us all so many great friends and given us so many new business opportunities. When I was making my first mixes in my dad’s kitchen in early 2013 I honestly couldn’t have envisioned today if you had scripted it. When we had to move out of the little lab at the shop, it was sad for some of us because we missed the one on one time. There’s a lot of great stories in the vape communities when you dig deep. Mine was one of humble beginnings.
What are your goals and where do you see Puff in 5 years?
The easiest answer would be, around. With all the industry’s changes and new FDA regulations, I can just say we plan on being around. We are invested in Puff Labs and the vape industry as a whole. We are passionate about the longevity and future of our company in this ever-growing and endlessly changing industry. When other doors are closing, Puff Labs MFG’s doors will be wide open. There is a common value we all share and that is to do our best every single day.
Thank you to Scott and the whole team at Puff Labs!!!
Puff Labs is always available wholesale at midwestgoods.com