Business is Smokin' For Ed Fast

Many people taste success, but when it’s in the air, everyone can smell it. For incense dealer Ed Fast, this is especially true. For nearly 16 years he has built a fragrance empire from his retail location at Kobey’s Swap Meet.

Fast, a retired Navy vet, started in business by manufacturing and selling his own incense and fragrance oils. However, things really took off when he started making incense bottles. His business, Smoking Joe’s, is named after them.

Fast began manufacturing the popular tie-dye colored burners in the mid-90’s becoming one of the largest distributors in Southern California, moving anywhere from 1200 to 1500 cases a year. His incense-related products began shipping all over the world, as far away as Australia and Japan. In the 90’s, sales from the incense bottle helped to pay for Fast’s entire operation.

Although sales from the bottles have slowed in the present day, business is good. Fast uses Kobey’s as both a retail and wholesale outlet for a variety of other products including Nag Champa incense, fragrance crystals, novelty incense burners, oriental imports and candles. Fast recently purchased a ceramics business so he is now manufacturing his own burners.

Kobey’s has worked for his business because its low overhead makes it possible to offer both business clients and the general public reasonable prices. He said it’s a market where he can pick up new wholesale clients, including fellow vendors. He operates from two booth locations in space B-8 and K, L-8.

Edward believes another aspect to their current success is allowing the business to grow slowly. He says he doesn’t want to find himself in the trap many small businesses fall into.

He observed: “Too many people go out and borrow money or use credit cards to buy product. They don’t realize by the time they pay for it on their Visa they’ve lost money. With just about any kind of business, if you’re just starting out, it’s better to do it with cash.”

Another belief he holds about success is looking at hired help as an investment not an expense. Fast insists he’s one of the best paying employers at Kobey’s because he feels a business loses when it’s constantly turning over employees. You’ll find them eager to help.

Incense bottles are $8.99 and come with 25 free incense of your choice. Fragrance crystals are 2 bags for $10 and come with a free burner. Nag Champa incense is $1 for 15g, $6 for 100g and $37.50 for 1000g. Fragrance oils start at $4 each, 2/$7. Get 25 incense sticks for $1.

Follow your nose to Smoking Joes, at Kobey’s every Saturday and Sunday in spaces B-8 and K, L-8.

Article from October, 2003 Issue of Kobey's Magazine.
Prices and items subject to change.