Marc Pitts: From Self-Taught Web Developer to Vaping Entrepreneur

As the co-founder of Discount Vape Pen, a New Jersey-based online and retail vaping supplies company launched in 2014, Marc Pitts has navigated market validation, regulatory hurdles, and community-driven growth to serve hundreds of thousands of customers across the U.S.

Starting with a single eBay listing for a USB-like vaporizer, the company has expanded into a full catalog of batteries, cartridges, wax pens, dry herb vaporizers, Delta 8 products, kratom, and over 50 e-liquid brands.

Pitts's journey began humbly. Without a computer until high school graduation, he dropped out of college in his third year of a marketing program, frustrated by its failure to cover modern topics like internet marketing. Self-teaching web development in 2010 via an HTML book, he dabbled in affiliate marketing before spotting the vaping opportunity.

We caught up with Pitts to discuss his path into e-commerce, the lean startup tactics that fueled early success, and the future of vaping amid shifting regulations and consumer trends. Here's what he shared.

The Industry Leaders (TIL): Marc, thanks for joining us. Let's start at the beginning. You didn't grow up with tech at your fingertips. You say you didn’t have a computer until after high school, and college didn't quite stick. What sparked your shift from traditional marketing studies to self-teaching web development and diving into e-commerce?

Marc Pitts: Honestly, the college program felt stuck in the past. I enrolled in 2007 aiming for marketing, but by my third year, it was all outdated stuff. There was very little about internet marketing or even mobile apps, which were exploding. I dropped out because I knew I could learn faster on my own. In 2010, I grabbed an HTML book and just built my first site. It was trial and error, but experimenting with affiliate marketing showed me e-commerce's potential. That hands-on grind beat any classroom.

TIL: In 2014, you and your business partner spotted this niche for USB thumb drive-style vaporizers. Instead of jumping in with big investments, you test via eBay. Walk us through that lean validation moment and how it turned a side hustle into a full operation.

Marc Pitts: We saw the gap. People wanted discreet, affordable vapes that didn't scream "vape." But we weren't about to sink cash without proof. So, we listed one product, the Ego CE-4, on our personal eBay account. Orders flooded in immediately. We used those sales to stock up, and launch our first retail spot. It went from weekend tinkering to daily reality overnight.

TIL: Discount Vape Pen started with one product and now boasts a massive catalog. How do you decide what to add, especially in a market flooded with brands? And what's the secret to keeping prices low without cutting corners?

Marc Pitts: Customer feedback drives it all. We listen on Reddit, at expos, and through reviews. Expansion came organically. For pricing, it's direct relationships with manufacturers with no middlemen bloating costs. Add same-day shipping and free over $40, and we're giving folks real value. Quality's non-negotiable.

TIL: Why prioritize education in an industry often criticized for opacity? How has that built loyalty?

Marc Pitts: People need to know its safety profile, how devices work, and what's changing with regs. Reddit's huge for us. Our Head of Community, James, is very involved over there answering real questions.

TIL: How has Discount Vape Pen adapted to a changing regulatory picture, and what keeps you optimistic about the industry's future?

Marc Pitts: It's tough. Regs shift fast in this industry, and we've had to pivot inventory accordingly. On the flipside, it forces innovation. We're compliant-first. Am I optimistic? Absolutely. Vaping's about choice and accessibility, so as long as folks seek alternatives to traditional smoking, we'll evolve.

TIL: What's one lesson from scaling that you'd share with aspiring e-commerce entrepreneurs starting small, like you did?

Marc Pitts: Keep it lean and customer-obsessed. Don't overbuild. Validate every step. Hire for passion and embrace the grind.