Set Sail with Maxfield!

Hey everyone,

It's Erica here, the Operations Manager at Northwoods Humidors and co-founder of Maxfield Cigar Accessories and Co. As we launch this new brand of ours, I wanted to give you another old story, all the way back, to a time where I, myself, had some experience in product research…or should I say the art of sailing.

It was fifth grade, a time filled with science projects and surprising life lessons. Imagine a classroom buzzing with eager kids, all tasked with building sailboats for an exciting race at the end of the month. I thought I had a clever plan—why not ask my Great Uncle Vinny, a former navy man with a knack for wooden carvings, to whip me up a masterpiece?

Uncle Vinny, bless him, helped me craft the most gorgeous wooden sailboat you could imagine. It gleamed and sparkled! But when race day came, my splendid creation tipped over faster than you can say “sailboat.” As my classmates zoomed past with their sturdy, practical designs, I was left blushing, cradling my soggy masterpiece like it was a prized trophy.

It was fifth grade, a time filled with science projects and surprising life lessons. Imagine a classroom buzzing with eager kids, all tasked with building sailboats for an exciting race at the end of the month. I thought I had a clever plan—why not ask my Great Uncle Vinny, a former navy man with a knack for wooden carvings, to whip me up a masterpiece?

Uncle Vinny, bless him, helped me craft the most gorgeous wooden sailboat you could imagine. It gleamed and sparkled! But when race day came, my splendid creation tipped over faster than you can say “sailboat.” As my classmates zoomed past with their sturdy, practical designs, I was left blushing, cradling my soggy masterpiece like it was a prized trophy.

“How could I be so stupid?” I wailed to my bewildered mother. It hit me hard—I had prioritized looks over functionality. If only I had shared the project’s true purpose with Uncle Vinny! That following weekend, he and I dove into the art of boat-building. This was so much more exciting than simply crafting something that only appeased the eye. It required thinking, reasoning, and a touch of creativity. We discussed balance and buoyancy, learning how each element contributed to a boat that could actually sail. It felt invigorating to engage my mind in a way that transformed our project from just a pretty piece of wood into a functional vessel that performed beautifully on the water.

This experience taught me the importance of functionality over mere aesthetics—a lesson I carried into my career. It inspired me to give thoughtful feedback to my team, helping us launch products that truly resonate with our customers. Stay tuned for a sneak peek at the first Maxfield product, an accessory designed to perform beautifully because we believe in function over flair. Let’s set sail on this exciting journey together!

Warm regards,

The Northwoods Humidors & Maxfield Cigar Accessories, Co. Team