It was early 2014, and two friends, David and Erik, stood at the edge of a dream. Equipped with little more than ambition, belief, and a vision, they embarked on a journey that would soon lead them to co-found Ripe
Vapes, a brand now celebrated internationally for its exceptional vaping products. The vaping industry, while burgeoning, was full of uncertainties and laden with flaws. But in true entrepreneurial spirit, they took
a leap of faith.
The Beginning: A Leap of Faith into the Unknown
No one around David and Erik knew what vaping was, but they both saw potential in the industry. They knew vaping wasn’t just a trend—it was becoming an alternative to smoking for many, just as it was for them. They knew they wanted to set themselves apart as a premium, well-cra ed brand with intentional
products that served a segment of the industry that was in line with their vision.
Rather than following the trend of cartoonish, cereal-flavored e-juices popular at the time, Ripe Vapes set itself apart by drawing inspiration from the luxury industry.
“We started with almost nothing,” Erik recalls. “But what we lacked in funds, we made up for in heart. We had no idea what we were getting ourselves into, but we knew we had a shot if we could create a product
that people genuinely loved.”
To make the products they believed in, they did everything themselves—from product development to packaging to marketing. Their first batches of e-liquids were mixed in very small quantities, using the highest-quality ingredients in amounts they could afford, never sacrificing quality.
The first few months were challenging, with no big marketing budget and minimal exposure, they relied heavily on word of mouth. David and Erik traveled up and down California, showing up to Vape Shop openings, and cloud competitions, and going store to store to showcase their products and get customer feedback. Slowly but surely, Ripe Vapes began to carve out a niche, especially in their home base of Southern California. Their audience, known for its openness to innovation and trends, embraced Ripe Vapes with enthusiasm. From local vape shops to regional vape meetups, their products gained a loyal
following. The momentum was unstoppable, and culminated in a major breakthrough by winning the 2014 Best of Show Tobacco flavor at the prestigious Vape Summit in Las Vegas! But this early success wasn’t just
about good timing or luck—it was a testament to the quality of their e-liquids and the passion they infused into their business.
The SoCal Connection: Building a Loyal Community
“Southern California was our testing ground and our proving ground,” says Erik. “We’re eternally grateful for the support we received from the local vaping community. Without them, Ripe Vapes might never have made it past those early months.”
The SoCal audience wasn’t just a market for Ripe Vapes; it became their foundation. The local culture, with its emphasis on lifestyle, quality, and trends, aligned perfectly with Ripe Vapes’ vision. David and Erik were regular faces at vape shops and meetups, listening to feedback from customers and adjusting their products accordingly. This close relationship with their audience gave them the experience and momentum to continue pursuing harder.
They poured every dollar they made back into the company, focusing on refining their flavors and packaging, investing in better equipment, and expanding their reach. It took a while before any profit could
be made; both of them were still holding onto other jobs to make ends meet. The early days were filled with long hours, sleepless nights, and more than a few mistakes, but the response from their customers kept them
going.
However, it wasn’t long before they realized that scaling a business was about more than just making a great product. The challenges of managing supply chains, adhering to new regulations in a previously unregulated
market, and building a brand that could stand out in a saturated market would test them in ways they hadn’t anticipated.
Mistakes, Lessons, and the Art of Adaptation
Looking back, David and Erik are the first to admit that they made plenty of mistakes along the way. In fact, they would argue that their mistakes were some of their most valuable teachers. From underestimating production costs to overestimating demand for certain flavors, their learning curve was steep. But each failure was a lesson, and each lesson helped them refine their approach.
“We didn’t know what we were doing most of the time,” David says with a laugh. “But that’s part of the journey, right? Every time we stumbled, we learned something new. Whether it was about the logistics of running a business or understanding our market better, we took every failure as an opportunity to grow.”
One of the early challenges was finding the right suppliers for their ingredients. Ripe Vapes had always been committed to using only the highest quality materials, but sourcing those materials at scale proved to be more difficult than they had anticipated. There were times when they had to turn down orders because they couldn’t produce enough product without sacrificing quality, and other times when they had to delay launches due to supply chain issues. It was frustrating, but David and Erik refused to compromise on their
standards.
“In hindsight, those challenges were a blessing in disguise,” Erik reflects. “They forced us to take a step back and really think about what kind of company we wanted to be. Did we want to grow fast at the expense of quality? Or did we want to build a brand that people could trust, even if it meant growing more
slowly? We chose the latter.”
This commitment to quality over quantity was risky, especially in an industry where trends change quickly and competition is fierce. But it also earned them a loyal customer base that appreciated the care and craftssmanship that went into every bottle of e-liquid they produced.
Navigating a Shi ing Market: Domestic Growth and International Expansion
As the domestic market for vaping grew, so did Ripe Vapes. What started as a small local brand that began to catch the attention of distributors and retailers across the U.S. Their reputation for high-quality, innovative products spread, and soon they were being invited to showcase their creations at major industry
events.
By 2021, Ripe Vapes had expanded its presence in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, where its products were embraced by a new audience. Their innovative flavors, like the groundbreaking VCT and their Fruit
and Fruit Freez Series, set them apart from competitors and earned them a reputation for excellence abroad.
The Global Stage: Recognition and Accolades
As their international footprint grew, so did their recognition. Ripe Vapes products began to win awards at
some of the biggest vaping events in the world, including Vape Summit Las Vegas and the World Vape Expo in Dubai. These accolades weren’t just trophies for their mantle—they were a testament to the countless hours of work that went into perfecting their products.
“Our goal has always been to create the best vaping experience possible,” Erik says. “We’ve spent years refining our flavors, using only the highest quality ingredients, and pushing the boundaries of what’s
possible in vaping. Winning awards is great, but the real reward is hearing from customers who love what we do and knowing that we’ve made a real difference in the lives of others by helping them get off of
tobacco products”
The awards were a validation of their efforts, but they also reinforced the pressure to keep innovating. As the vaping industry continued to evolve, so did consumer tastes, and Ripe Vapes knew they couldn’t rest on
their laurels. They continued to experiment with new flavor profiles, new technologies like disposables, and new ways of engaging with their diverse community.
Surviving in a Tough Industry: Resilience Amid Adversity
Despite their success, David and Erik never lost sight of how fragile their position in the industry was. The vaping business is notoriously tough and running a startup is already tough enough—20% of startups fail in
their first year, and half don’t make it to five years. By the tenth year, 70% of startups have failed. Ripe Vapes defied the odds, not just by surviving but by thriving in a market that continues to be constantly in flux.
“We’re incredibly lucky to still be here,” David admits. “There were so many moments where it could havegone the other way. But we stayed true to our values, and I think that’s what made the difference.”
While many of their competitors in the U.S. went out of business or struggled to stay afloat, Ripe Vapes remained resilient. Their ability to adapt to changing regulations, pivot to international markets, and stay
connected with their customers kept them moving forward. But they’re quick to point out that luck had nothing to do with it—success came from hard work, a commitment to quality, and an unwavering belief in
their product.
A Decade of Excellence: Celebrating 10 Years of Ripe Vapes
As Ripe Vapes celebrates its tenth anniversary, David and Erik look back with a profound sense of gratitude. What started as a scrappy startup has grown into an internationally recognized brand, with products loved by vapers all around the world. But through all the ups and downs, one thing has remained
constant: their gratitude for the people who made it all possible.
“At Ripe Vapes, we’ve always believed that we’re not just building a company; we’re building a community,” says David. “Our customers have been with us since day one, and we owe everything to them. Without their
support, their feedback, and their trust in our brand, we wouldn’t be here today.” He added, “Our employees and their families depend on me and I don’t take that lightly, they work hard to meet the demands we put on them and I owe them something.”
“It’s the tough moments that define you,” David says. “There were times when we didn’t know if we’d makeit, but those were the moments that forced us to innovate and grow. Without everyone, we wouldn’t be the
company we are today.”
Ripe Vapes continues to set a precedent in the vaping world, taking home Best Tobacco this year at the Egypt Vape Expo 2024. As they look to the future, Ripe Vapes remains intentional about innovation. With new flavors in development, expanded product lines, and further international expansion on the horizon,
they are poised to continue setting the standard in the vaping industry for years to come. They are particularly excited about the upcoming launch of a few different series that promise to push the boundaries of flavor complexity and vaping technology.
As with every new chapter, new challenges arise. Today they are battling counterfeit products that have flooded many of their markets. These cloned products not only risk the reputation of the brand but also
raise serious health and safety concerns for their consumers. With counterfeiters getting continuously more clever, David and Erik take ever advancing avenues, partnering with companies at the cutting edge of
technology, to create product authentication routes and give their customers the clearest assurance possible about what they are consuming and their authenticity.
Gratitude: The Heart of Ripe Vapes Success
At the heart of Ripe Vapes success is a sense of deep, abiding gratitude. From the early days of local vape meetups in Southern California to their current status as a global brand, they have never lost sight of the
community that made it all possible.
“We’re nothing without our customers,” Erik says, candidly. “Every bottle we’ve ever made, every awardwe’ve ever won, it’s all because people believed in us. That’s something we’ll never take for granted.”
This sentiment is echoed: “We’ve had the privilege of growing with our community, and for that, we’re forever grateful. Our customers aren’t just numbers—they’re the lifeblood of Ripe Vapes. Every time we
launch a new product or enter a new market, it’s for them.”
As they celebrate a decade of excellence, Ripe Vapes remains more committed than ever to their core values: quality, innovation, and community. These are the principles that guided them from their earliest days and will continue to shape their future.
The journey of Ripe Vapes is far from over. With innovations on the horizon, a loyal and growing global customer base, and a passion for delivering honest tobacco alternatives, the next chapter promises to be just
as exciting as the first.
As they celebrate this milestone, David, Erik, and the entire Ripe Vapes team extend their deepest thanks to their customers, partners, and everyone who has been a part of their story.
“Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your vaping journey,” Erik says. “We couldn’t have done it without you, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds.”
