Meet Jon Bateman | CEO of MegaLegends Cigars, LLC

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jon Bateman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jon, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
As I traveled to different countries, I would collect cigars along the way and, as I smoked each cigar, I learned that they each offered their own essence. My friends genuinely enjoyed smoking the cigars I brought home, which inspired the idea to create my own cigar line, From that point, I began to educate myself on the art of building and smoking cigars. I began as a Distributor, purchasing the best hand-rolled cigars that I came across. I knew the make up of a good cigar, so I knew I could be successful at creating a niche and building a business with said knowledge. The cigar industry is about more than smoking cigars: its a community for like minds to collaborate, network, and socialize while having a good smoking experience.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I believe in being legendary, not just ordinary. That belief has set me apart from your average cigar entrepreneur. I am most proud of newest venture, the Mega Legends Cigar Lounge, located in The Gambia (West Africa). I love the art of smoking cigars, and wanted to create a space there that could a build become a premiere destination for tourism in The Gambia. When Mega Legends Lounge was built, there were no other places like it in Gambia. I like to say that I ‘birthed’ this lounge by designing the entire building from top to bottom, remodeling interiors and exteriors, creating floor plans, managing building contractors, and ensuring Mega Legends would not only be a cigar line, but a lesson in building legacy. Because of our booming success in The Gambia, we successfully host The Gambia Cigar Week every year at Mega Legend Cigar Lounge with The Gambia Cigar Week 2026 scheduled for April 2026.

I am extremely proud of the community I’ve become a part of in The Gambia. I have experienced warm welcomes, beautiful culture, and amazing people, who have welcomed Mega Legend Cigars and Cigar Lounge with open arms. To dig my feet deeper into the community, specifically within sports, Mega Legend Cigars is an official sponsor for the Kotu Football Club.

In this business, I’ve learned some tough lessons along the way and have considered giving up several times. It has not been easy feat. This may sound cliche, but truly believing in what I was doing and being intentional with my brand helped me overcome challenges. If you stay consistent, there’s no doubt you will reap the rewards of your hard work.

I want the world to know that I’m not new to entrepreneurship, it’s in my DNA. I grew up watching my mom operate several businesses in metro Atlanta, so I saw firsthand the impact of consistency and hard work. Mega Legends Cigars is a story of doing things with purpose, without shortcuts.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My suggestions are driven by vibes and ambiance. For a casual, comfortable vibe, I would take them to Cigar City Club in Sandy Springs off of Roswell Road. Cigar City Club has live music, a relaxed atmosphere, and is one of the pillars of the cigar industry here in Atlanta. They offer nightly entertainment every day of the week, and the owners of Cigar City Club take pride in making visitors feel welcome.

If you’re looking for a place with great people, a variety of cigar options, great food, and live music, then Stanley’s Cigar Lounge on Butner Road is where you should go. This lounge defines what it means to have a vibrant atmosphere.

For a laid-back, relaxed vibe, I would take visitors to Ten ATL Bar and Lounge in East Atlanta, specifically on Wednesdays or Sundays. This is another place with a great atmosphere and good food.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have a long list of people, including my children, family members, and close friends. With that, I want to give the biggest shoutout to my mom. She has always encouraged me in every business and endeavor I’ve taken on. She inspires me and constantly reminds me that as long as I continue to push forward, everything will work out. I would be remiss if I didn’t give a shoutout to my brother who was instrumental in turning Mega Legends Cigars from a mere idea into the successful business it is today. If it weren’t for our conversations, my business would not exist.

Several of my mentors and peers in the cigar industry have shown me immense support throughout the years whether it was teaching me the ins and outs of the industry, allowing product placement in their establishments, or through being great friends of mine. These HUGE shout outs go to: Quintin of Smokin’ Rose Speakeasy (Charleston, SC) who has been like a brother to me, Alonzo Julius of Cigar City Club (Atlanta), Monica, of Stanley’s Cigar Lounge (Atlanta), George ‘Geo’ Strother (Chief Marketing Officer of Mega Legends Cigars) and Cigar Mike (Atlanta). Each of these people have made a lasting impact on the success of Mega Legends Cigars, and I can’t thank them enough .

Website: https://megalegendscigars.com

Instagram: @megalegendcigars

Facebook: MegaLegend Cigars

Image Credits
George Strother, Sarina Mouzon