There’s a lot of noise in this business. Everyone’s got an opinion, most of it garbage. Your reps will tell you one thing, your competitors will tell you another, and randoms on Facebook groups will swear they know “the secret” to making it in the smoke shop game.
Here’s the truth: most of that advice is built on myths. And if you buy into them, you’re burning cash and handicapping your own shop. Let’s kill these lies right now so you can run leaner, smarter, and more profitable.
Myth #1: “If You Stock It, They’ll Buy It”
Wrong. This isn’t Field of Dreams, it’s retail. Just because you loaded up on 40 hookahs doesn’t mean customers are gonna line up for them.
Reality: Customers don’t care what you think is cool. They care about what they actually use. If you don’t track sales data, test products in small quantities, and move on when something flops—you’re wasting shelf space and tying up cash flow.
What to Do Instead:
-
Test in 5–10 units, not 50.
-
Only reorder once you see proven sell‑through.
-
Cut dead products fast (we covered this yesterday).
Myth #2: “Low Prices Will Beat the Competition”
Nope. Race‑to‑the‑bottom pricing is the quickest way to kill your margins and attract the cheapest customers—the ones who don’t care about loyalty, only who’s a nickel cheaper today.
Reality: Competing only on price makes you replaceable. The shop that survives is the one that combines fair pricing with killer service, fresh stock, and a store people want to shop in.
What to Do Instead:
-
Match fair market price, don’t undercut yourself into bankruptcy.
-
Differentiate with product mix, vibe, and service.
-
Use bundles, promos, and loyalty programs to create value without slashing margin.
Myth #3: “CBD/Delta‑8/THC‑X Is Just a Fad”
Every time a new cannabinoid hits, people scream “fad!” Guess what? Some fads fade, some become permanent categories. Remember when disposables were a “fad”? Now they’re the backbone of vape sales.
Reality: You don’t have to go all‑in on every new cannabinoid, but you do need to watch the market and ride the waves when they’re hot. Sitting on the sidelines means leaving money on the table.
What to Do Instead:
-
Test new categories small, just like new products.
-
Track what sells in YOUR store, not just online chatter.
-
Stay current on legal updates so you don’t get caught with banned stock.
Myth #4: “Marketing Is Just for Big Stores”
This one kills me. Some of you think your store’s too small for marketing, so you rely on word of mouth and hope for the best. That’s lazy.
Reality: Every shop, from day one, needs marketing. Even if it’s just consistent social media posting, strong signage, or sponsoring a local event—you need visibility. If you’re invisible, you’re dead.
What to Do Instead:
-
Use free channels first (Instagram, TikTok, Google Business).
-
Invest in signage—it sells 24/7 without you paying payroll.
-
Collect customer contacts and send text blasts.
Myth #5: “Hiring Anyone Is Better Than Being Short‑Staffed”
Absolutely not. A bad hire costs you more than an empty shift ever will. An unmotivated or shady employee will run customers off, steal stock, or tank your reputation.
Reality: This is a people business. Your clerks are your front line. If you can’t trust them to card properly, handle cash, and upsell, you’re better off working the counter yourself until you find the right person.
What to Do Instead:
-
Hire slow, fire fast.
-
Train every employee on product knowledge and compliance.
-
Build a culture where staff know your store is more than a paycheck.
Myth #6: “Raids Only Happen to Shady Shops”
I just told you yesterday—raids are compliance checks, not random witch hunts. Thinking “that’ll never happen to me” is exactly why it will.
Reality: Even clean shops get inspected. If your paperwork is sloppy, your staff is lazy, or you’re carrying questionable stock—you’re a target.
What to Do Instead:
-
Keep invoices and licenses organized.
-
Run monthly compliance audits.
-
Train staff on raid protocol.
The Final Word
Myths are comfortable. They make excuses for lazy owners and bad habits. But they also keep your profits small and your shop weak.
The shops that thrive don’t chase myths. They operate on data, discipline, and reality. Stop listening to the broke guy on Facebook, stop letting distributors play you, and stop repeating industry gossip.
Run your business like a business. Kill the myths, and you’ll start seeing the real money.
Call to Action
I don’t deal in fairy tales—I deal in results. If you want more no‑BS, straight‑to‑the‑point strategies to make your smoke shop thrive, hit ChadWadeTV.com. That’s where the real playbook lives.