Almost as soon as Ashley and Lee started working together , they found that they had their own set of skills that complemented each other and benefited the company and its customers . Ashley was really into the community side of things , and particularly enjoyed discussing products and helping novices make the often-intimidating transition from smoking to vaping . Meanwhile , Lee thrived on the social business aspect – working with others and forging new business relationships .
These new relationships have led their aspirations to expand , both on the range of products they produce and supply and on the reach of VIP Vapers as a whole .
October ’ s Vaper Expo saw the launch of VIP Vapers ’ mechanical mods line in the form of the 25mm brass and copper Depth Charge Mods – a solid piece of kit that went down a storm at the event .
Speaking of the expo , they guys had a great time at the event . And despite having some reservations about the initial outlay , it turned out to be well worth the investment . Being a real people person , Lee was truly in his element and was able to make some key industry contacts , ensuring the success of their juice lines .
“ It was a huge financial risk but we are so glad that we bit the bullet and went ahead with it . One thing I liked was that , compared to previous expos , we were all in it together - there was no vendor monopoly . We were rubbing shoulders with the bigger guys right beside the red carpet .”
Lee and Ashley hope to open a further five stores in 2018 , expanding VIP Vapers further up the country . This goal of appealing to a larger market will be evident in the products VIP Vapers are currently in the process of developing .
“ As devices have got bigger , customers have had to fork out more cash to account for refills and other peripherals . But in the current market , this can cause some customers to miss out . Until now their only option has been to sacrifice on quality . We will soon be selling more affordable products that don ’ t skimp on quality , ensuring that customers come away happy , whatever their budget .”
This altruistic approach extends to the environment . Both Ashley and Lee are committed conservationists who do what they can to minimise waste wherever possible . As such , they have a policy that rewards customers for returning used liquid bottles with a 10 % discount .
The guys are currently in the process of widening their juice range ( which they manufacture themselves , as Ashley proudly explains .) By the end of 2018 we can expect to see another standard VIP Vapers liquid as well as a special charity range .
Sadly , Mark , a close friend of Lee and Ashley , died earlier this year . The ‘ Angry Welshman ’ line has been created in his honour with proceeds going to a charity relevant to his illness .
“ It has , of course , been a difficult time . But the community have been very supportive of the charity idea .”
Ashley speaks incredibly fondly of the vaping community . As VIP Vapers further expands its reach , vapers shall no doubt benefit from their conscious approach to their products , their growing customer base and the environment itself .
In an era that demands ethical practices as well as customer services and quality products , VIP Vapers ’ focus on their customers ’ diverse needs and respect for the world we live in make them a template for others to follow . But with so much promise for the years ahead , they will be a very tough act to follow .
VM14 | 229