Meet Staci Gibbs

We were lucky to catch up with Staci Gibbs recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Staci, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?

I grew up moving almost every two years, which meant I was constantly the “new kid.” At first, it was overwhelming — new schools, new faces, and no built-in safety net. But over time, I realized those challenges were actually my training ground.

Each move forced me to adapt quickly, find my footing, and connect with people from scratch. Instead of hiding in the background, I learned how to walk into a room with confidence, strike up conversations, and build relationships on the fly. What started as survival slowly turned into a skill.

That’s where my confidence really came from: knowing I could handle the unknown. If I could navigate a cafeteria full of strangers as a kid, I could walk into a cigar lounge, a business meeting, or any new environment as an adult with the same steady mindset. Change became less of a fear and more of a strength — and that resilience shaped who I am today.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I run The Chateau Cigar Lounge in Johns Creek, Georgia, and while on the surface it’s about cigars and cocktails, at its core it’s about people. A lot of cigar shops can feel intimidating — sometimes even elitist — which can make newcomers hesitate. I wanted The Chateau to be the opposite of that. Our atmosphere is built around connection: a place where you can light up, sit down, and instantly feel at home whether it’s your first cigar or your hundredth.

What makes The Chateau special isn’t just our humidor or the cocktails, it’s the community that forms inside these walls. What I love most is watching the room transform — strangers become friends with nothing more than a cigar and good conversation. For us, cigars aren’t about exclusivity, they’re about shared moments.

Professionally, I’m focused on building more of those opportunities for connection through events — things like poker nights, Sunday football cookouts, and curated cigar-and-cocktail pairings. We’re creating traditions that people look forward to, not just another night out. At the end of the day, The Chateau is about more than cigars. It’s about belonging.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, the three qualities that shaped my journey the most were adaptability, connection, and persistence.

Moving every two years growing up taught me adaptability. I had to figure out how to start over again and again, and that became a strength in business — being able to pivot, adjust, and not crumble when things change. My advice? Put yourself in situations that stretch you, even if they’re uncomfortable. Growth doesn’t happen in your comfort zone.

The second is connection. People skills matter more than any technical skill I’ve ever learned. At The Chateau, creating a welcoming environment where people feel at ease is everything. For anyone just starting out, I’d say: learn to listen more than you talk, be curious about people, and treat every interaction like it matters — because it does.

Finally, persistence. Building anything worth having takes longer than you think and comes with more obstacles than you expect. The difference between those who make it and those who don’t isn’t talent — it’s the ability to keep showing up. My advice here is simple: when it feels tough, don’t quit. Take the next small step forward. Consistency compounds.

What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?

The most impactful thing my parents did for me was simple—they were parents, not my best friends. They didn’t coddle me or hand me things just because I wanted them. If I wanted something, I had to work for it. They also drilled into me the idea that no job was “just a job.” Whether I was sweeping floors, running errands, or managing people, I was expected to treat every role with a sense of ownership—as if the success or failure of the whole place depended on me. Every shift was basically: do it like your name’s on the building. And honestly, that lesson has carried me further than anything else I’ve learned.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thechateaucigarbar.com/
• Instagram: chateaucigarlounge
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChateauCigarLounge