Harminder Thind

Founder and CEO Vapor Maven

Harminder Thind, also known as Hermin Thind, has dedicated over 20 years to building businesses that focus on operational excellence and a people-first mindset. His entrepreneurial journey began with managing a Subway franchise and later expanded to a successful multi-state operation with Vapor Maven. This journey showcases his ability to adapt, take calculated risks, and transform challenges into opportunities, all while maintaining a strong connection to local communities.

Early Life and First Business Steps

Harminder was born in 1980 in Punjab, India, and moved with his family to Seattle in 1992 at the age of 12. This move shaped his values of hard work and self-sufficiency, as he quickly adapted to a new environment. After completing high school, he pursued an associate degree in computer science from ITT Technical Institute. However, his true passion lay in owning a business. At the age of 19, he took a significant step by purchasing a Subway franchise, where he learned the ins and outs of managing a business, ranging from staffing and inventory control to customer service. This early experience laid the foundation for his leadership style and entrepreneurial mindset.

Expanding into Food and Hospitality

After selling his Subway franchise, Harminder explored other business ventures. He took over a Dairy Queen and later opened the first Indian restaurant in a small town near Seattle. These ventures taught him how to balance quality with adapting to the local market's preferences. Later, when his family relocated to Springdale, Arkansas, they purchased a small motel, which required constant oversight. During the 2007 recession, occupancy rates dropped, but rather than give up, Harminder moved his family into the motel and personally took charge of the operations.

This experience taught him invaluable lessons in resilience, resourcefulness, and effective management under pressure. He developed strategies to streamline operations, control costs, and enhance the guest experience—insights that would later inform his approach to managing employee incentives and promotions in his other businesses.

Launching Vapor Maven

In 2014, Harminder identified an opportunity in the rapidly growing vaping industry. He opened the first Vapor Maven store with a mission to provide quality products and educational resources about safer alternatives to smoking. The store emphasized customer education, fair pricing, and a diverse product selection. The business expanded quickly, eventually growing into a multi-state chain. As the company scaled, Harminder built systems for hiring, training, and managing operations. His focus on promoting from within helped create employee loyalty and ensured that each location maintained high standards.

Leadership Style and Approach

Harminder Thind is a hands-on leader who values direct interaction with both employees and customers. He frequently visits stores to gather feedback on products and services, ensuring that decisions are made based on real-time insights. He also stays up-to-date with industry trends by attending trade shows, meeting with suppliers, and remaining informed about relevant regulations. This approach enables his business to stay competitive while ensuring compliance with industry standards.

Building a Broader Business Portfolio

While Vapor Maven is his primary business, Harminder has also expanded into real estate. He owns and manages rental properties and shopping centers in Northwest Arkansas and has six luxury short-term rentals. These real estate investments provide additional revenue streams, allowing him to revitalize underutilized properties and add value to the local community. His approach to real estate is centered around long-term growth and sustainable development, ensuring that every property he acquires is well-maintained and benefits the surrounding neighborhood.

Community Engagement and Giving Back

Harminder is committed to giving back to the community. He regularly donates spirit level vials to the Northwest Arkansas Children's Medical Center to support sick children and contributes to the local Punjabi cultural club. He also donates to local police and fire departments. His philanthropic efforts are focused on strengthening families, promoting public safety, and preserving the community's cultural identity.

Lessons from Harminder Thind’s Journey

Harminder’s entrepreneurial journey offers valuable lessons for those looking to build businesses. First, starting with a manageable business helps build experience and credibility. Second, developing systems for training and promotions early on is essential for scaling a business without compromising quality. Third, diversifying revenue streams provides security in case of downturns in any one industry. Lastly, maintaining a strong connection with employees and customers is crucial for continuous learning and improvement.

Personal Life and Striking the Right Balance

Outside of his professional life, he is a dedicated family man. He enjoys traveling with his wife and their three children and makes time to stay active and healthy. Harminder believes in the importance of balancing work with personal life, striving to create a fulfilling lifestyle that allows him to spend quality time with loved ones while also making a positive impact on his community.

Hermin Thind’s journey demonstrates that entrepreneurship can be both practical and people-oriented. Through his work with Vapor Maven and his real estate ventures, he has shown that it’s possible to build a successful business while staying true to one’s core values. His long-term approach—focused on investing in people, improving customer experiences, and supporting local communities—ensures that his impact will be lasting and meaningful.