A veteran-owned business finds its financing partner in Credibly

From the military smoke pit to a premium event experience

The Mobile Cigar Lounge was born not in a boardroom, but in the military’s “smoke pit.” As a Marine Corps veteran, Joey Mac Dizon understood the value of that tactical pause—a moment to disconnect, joke, and relax with fellow service members before returning to the mission.

This core value of shared, quality time and camaraderie is what Joey, alongside his two co-founders, also fellow veterans, sought to translate into a successful civilian business.

Launched in 2018, their vision was to bring the premium cigar experience directly to clients, transforming a casual moment of fellowship into an upscale addition for major events like weddings and corporate gatherings.

Adapting to an unforeseen challenge

As Joey and his partners looked to expand their event presence, they hit an unexpected snag: the COVID-19 pandemic.

Instead of retreating, Joey and his team leaned into what they could control, building their brand and market presence. They focused on social media, started small podcasts with industry peers, and doubled down on building relationships. When regulations shifted, they were ready, adapting quickly to service the demand for smaller “micro weddings.” Their commitment to safety and a quality-controlled experience allowed them to host close to a hundred events even during the height of the pandemic.

This period solidified their true product: the experience itself. The cigar is just the item; the real value is the dedicated, unhurried spaces for conversation and connection they create for guests at major life milestones.

Finding the right financing partner for the industry

The events industry, however, comes with seasonal challenges, especially in the northeast. The Mobile Cigar Lounge crew found that in their off-season, they needed additional cash on hand to start preparing inventory for the warmer months when they’d be at many events. This would also be when they were ramping up marketing to book more engagements for the coming year.

Securing the right financial partner was crucial for managing these fluctuations. He knew he needed to find someone credible and easy to work with. After searching, Joey was referred to Credibly to support his financing needs.

“I think when you’re looking for financing… there has to be a relationship in place,” Joey explains. “I want to build a relationship…so that as we continue to grow, I can be like, ‘Hey, Credibly, I’m looking to inject a little cash flow’, and then get everything good to go.'”

At the start of the relationship, Joey took the time to ask his representative all the questions he had. As Joey reflects on his financing journey, he said, “I never had the best credit score, I was young, Marine, just out of college…I was never perfect.” But he stayed in touch, built stronger financial habits, and built up a long-term relationship with Credibly’s financing experts.

Now that he’s learned the process, he comes prepared with all the documents he needs each time he renews his merchant cash advance, making financing a breeze. When they renewed their business financing in 2025, The Mobile Cigar Lounge was able to receive financing the same day they submitted all their documents.

The vision ahead

The founders of The Mobile Cigar Lounge hope to expand their services through strategic franchising into the top 10 states for high-cost weddings, focusing on markets where their premium service will thrive.

Ultimately, however, his favorite part of being a business owner is the flexibility it affords. Managing his own schedule allows him to drop off and pick up his son from school and spend time with his family which, for him, is the biggest win of all.

Start building your relationship with Credibly today.

Speak to one of our financing experts to learn about your business financing options, what you may qualify for, and how you can improve your application.

We look forward to partnering with you in building your business.