FEATURE
WES BROWN
Wes Brown started vaping in 2010 in his
vape-friendly home state of California. It
took him only two weeks to stop smoking.
With experience in business from the tech
industry, Wes’ new mission was clear. By
2014, Barista Brew as a vape shop and
liquid line was born.
Wes is the barista of Barista Brew Co –
the friendly and face as ubiquitous in the
vaping industry as the server who gives
you your morning coffee. In its brief but
rapidly growing existence, Barista Brew
Co have been trying to provide a product
as needed and recognisable as coffee
itself. Their liquid range already reflects
the variety of choices found on the menu
in your high street chain or specialist
shop, containing fruit, nut, chocolate and
spice flavourings that provide something
different yet comforting every time.
This effort has paid off, as Barista Brew
Co’s Salted Caramel Macchiato won the
Best Tea/Coffee category at the third
annual Vapouround Awards in May.
Wes has described his company as the
“Vice News of Vaping” – owing to its candid,
on-the-road, gonzo-style of promotion in
tune with the fast pace and lively energy
of the vape trade. On Saturday morning
at the Vaper Expo, hours after his award
triumph, Wes commended the work of
Phil Martena – a vape industry marketing
photographer and founder of Vappix LLC,
for how he has cultivated this brand.
44 | VM17
Wes commended his director of sales, Joe
LaRosa and the work of Phil Martena –
a vape industry marketing photographer
and founder of Vappix LLC, for how he has
cultivated this brand.
“Phil, Joe and I decided that we were best
off fleshing our brands out to the masses
by being mobile. We wanted to be a pair
of relatable faces behind the brand that
not many see.
I got us to trade shows around the world
because that was our calling. Showcasing
in the US is as ordinary to us as waking
up in the morning. Showcasing around
the worldis the true step up to the next
level. We wanted to remind our clients and
partners that we’re regular guys you can
go out and have a drink with.”