Monday, April 22, 2013

Introduction of Renegade Reps Hookah

The next new venture for the Renegade Reps crew is upon us.  On a recent trip to the Middle East, I fell in love with smoking shisha.  When I returned to the states and wanted to share my new hookahs that I had bought, I was surprised at how many folks really wanted to try it, but never actually took the dive.  Sharing with my friends proved one other major point as well - everyone loved it. 

Well, when there are a wealth of people interested in something and are hesitant to try it, it's a perfect opportunity to get it introduced around.  Of course, opening a hookah lounge would be the perfect opportunity, but there are plenty around and a hookah lounge forces folks to come inside.  Taking that first step inside can be scary to those who have not been introduced.  The answer, as far as I am concerned, is to bring the hookah experience to them.  

Getting started has not been interesting, to say the least.  As a Renegade Reps brand, one thing we absolutely see as a priority is authenticity.  Well, authentic ain't easy these days when you want to bring hookahs in from the Middle East.  Egypt to be specific.  We have been working with a few Egyptian manufacturers who produce 100% handmade pipes from tin and brass.  Language barrier aside, there are several safety issues right now that make it difficult not only to travel around Egypt, but possibly also to enter the country in the future.  A risk to be sure.  But I love Egypt and handmade pipes from Egypt are a very exciting proposition.  

The plan for this new venture is two-fold.  The first is that we will be available at local bars with hookahs for rent.  We have set up a permanent weekend spot at Cafe Davinci in DeLand and will be renting hookahs at that location.  We also have set up a few beer and hookah pairing events around the Volusia County area and we will keep everyone posted on that.  I am not sure if beer and hookah pairings have a precedent, so this could be a revolutionary experience.  Kinda excited.  

The second purpose of Renegade Reps Hookah is for home parties, corporate events, festivals, etc.  We have been lucky enough to score some really great decor for having home parties and a friend of mine was able to sew together a beautiful series of curtains and pillows to add to the environment (see pictures on right).  We can use these curtains to enclose a tent for outdoor events or evening private parties.  Again, a very cool thing that we kinda lucked into when we were chatting one night about the possibilities of what we could put together.  The result was at once dazzling and functional.  As the Egyptian culture is a colorful one, we focused on bright and vibrant colors.  The contrasts turned out brilliant and I am very proud of what we have assembled.  

In addition to what the Renegades are currently offering, we are looking to move forward into offering several authentically Egyptian beverages to enjoy with your smoke.  My personal favorite is the Mint Lemonade that I found in every restaurant and bar in Egypt and I could not resist myself but to order every single time.  A very simple beverage, but extremely refreshing and I am brought back to Luxor every time I have one.   

Of course, we are available 7 days a week and can custom any experience for you from a casual setting to a formal event, home or office, inside or out.  Feel free to contact us and we can set up a time and place.  Cheers!






Sunday, April 21, 2013

420 Party and The Renegade Hookahs are a Go

The next chapter in the story line of Renegade Reps is page turned and the ink is wet.  Renegade Reps Hookah is underway.  This story couldn't have been more fulfilling for me, as we got the new business underway at a location that is dear to me.

The mobile hookah business came to mind when we realized that there are a great number of people who have not been exposed to the wonderful world of hookah and those people may never take the step themselves to buy a hookah or step into a hookah lounge to gain the experience.  With a mobile business, we get to take the experience to them, giving them a chance to try the idea out in the security of their own environment.

So when I asked my good buddy Daneaux if we could make our premier at his 420 Party at Mermaid Juice in Mount Dora, I was extremely excited when he agreed to the plan.  Additionally, in honor of 420, they were going to serve one of my favorite brews, Hazed and Infused, with hop brownies. Mike Wallace from Terrapin was also popping in to tap their cask of Mosaic Rype PA.

We set up around 5:00 and was surprised at how many folks were not only interested in smoking on some shisha, but how many had been curious for some time and had not taken the plunge.  That's a great sign for a new business when you have a lake of wonder dammed up by reticence.  As a business, the only thing you need to do is put concerns at ease and you've already got a great level of demand.  Very encouraging.

Josher and Tomo came down to help out and it's a good thing.  Demand was much higher for hookah rental than I had anticipated and I would have never been able to get through it on my own.  The customers that we gained were very cool people and it was great to be able to answer their questions and curiosities pertaining to smoking shisha.

We have a bunch of events already locked down for the near future and are adding on constantly.  Beginning next week, we will have a constant weekend gig at Cafe Davinci in DeLand.  Look us up and check us out.  Cheers!