Today we’d like to introduce you to Yuel Neal.
Hi Yuel, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started Chevalier Life as an Instagram account, originally focused on reviewing local restaurants and bars around the Dallas area. During COVID, that content naturally evolved into cigars. I began smoking cigars, talking about them, and sharing photos and experiences online. What started as curiosity quickly turned into passion.
In 2022, the owners of the Black Cigar Festival in Houston, Texas reached out and asked if I had products available to sell at the event. At the time, I didn’t but I saw an opportunity. With about three months’ notice, I created custom cigar humidors, developed logos, and launched Chevalier Life apparel and accessories. That included lighters, cutters, ashtrays, whiskey glasses, and other lifestyle pieces for cigar smokers. I vended for the first time at the Black Cigar Festival in Houston in 2022, and that moment really marked the beginning of Chevalier Life as a business.
From there, I began sharing Thoughts of a Classic Man daily on Instagram pairing a cigar photo with smooth jazz and reflections that came to me each morning. Alongside that, I created the Chevalier Life Cigar Track of the Day, highlighting whatever song was on my mind at the time. None of it was scripted, it was simply how I felt and what moved me that day.
That consistency led to more visibility. I started hosting Instagram Lives, became a member of The Lounge with Ray Tru Life in Houston, and eventually caught the attention of Arturo Fuente. Through Melanie Sisco, I was invited to serve as a guest host on The Last Draw with Carlito Fuente, a role I held for several months.
That experience inspired me to launch my own show, Conversations with Chevalier, where I highlight the personal journeys of individuals within the cigar and music industries. Today, Chevalier Life represents a lifestyle built around four core elements: we smoke the cigar, sip the whiskey, sing to the music, and savor the cuisine. Everything I do, content, products, and conversations, is rooted in bringing those elements together under the Chevalier Life brand.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
My biggest obstacle was really myself. I had to get past the fear that can paralyze you when you’re stepping into something you’ve never done before. That internal doubt—the questions you ask yourself about whether you’re capable or if it will even work was my greatest challenge.
Of course, finances were also a major hurdle. I didn’t have the luxury of excess capital to just jump in. I’m married, I’m a father of five, and every decision had to be made responsibly. But with the support of my sister, Tonya, and my wife, Felicia, I was able to raise enough money to get started. Their belief in me helped me push past fear, take the leap, and begin building something truly meaningful.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
In my everyday career, I work as a labor representative for UAW Local 276 in Arlington, Texas, and I’m also an employee at the General Motors manufacturing facility in Arlington, where we build the Cadillac Escalade, GMC Yukon, and Chevrolet Tahoe. In my role as a labor representative, my responsibility is to advocate for employees and represent their interests with management.
Before stepping into this position, I worked on the production line building trucks. Over time, I began to recognize that some workplace situations weren’t always fair, and I felt a strong calling to be a voice for those who didn’t always have the strength, confidence, or opportunity to speak up for themselves. That desire led me to run for a position as first-shift committeeman over the material department, which supplies all of our parts. I was elected by nearly a two-to-one margin, and that remains one of my most recent accomplishments that I’m extremely proud of. It was my first time ever running for a role like that, and having my coworkers trust me with representing them and their futures meant everything to me.
One of my biggest accomplishments over the last couple of years, however, was running for a school board seat with the Forney Independent School District in Forney, Texas. I felt strongly that the children in my community needed a voice to represent them. Even though my own children had already graduated, I saw situations that didn’t feel fair, and I wanted to at least try to make a difference. While I didn’t win the election, the experience set me on a course that forever changed my life.
What I learned through that journey is that when you stand for something, you have to be willing to step up for it. I never imagined myself running for public office, but doing so taught me invaluable lessons about leadership, service, accountability, and courage. That experience helped shape my vision and ultimately led me to where I am today—running for office within the UAW and continuing to advocate for others. It was through my campaign for the Forney ISD school board that I realized I was on a completely different path in my life.
Before my career at General Motors, I was a proud member of the United States Marine Corps. Serving in the Marine Corps is one of the greatest accomplishments of my life. Coming from the streets of Gary, Indiana, becoming a Marine fundamentally changed who I am. I learned discipline, integrity, resilience, and true intestinal fortitude—lessons that continue to guide me every day.
Those same principles have been essential in building Chevalier Life. I’ve had to learn how to handle rejection, push past doubt, and believe in myself even when the outcome wasn’t guaranteed. The Marine Corps taught me that the fight never truly ends and that success comes from perseverance. That mindset continues to guide my journey whether in business, labor advocacy, or life and I’m incredibly proud of the man I’ve developed into along the
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Something that might surprise people about me is that I’m actually very humble—and at times, even shy. As outgoing as I may appear in videos and photos, that isn’t always my natural disposition. Often, I have to mentally build myself up to step into those moments because I don’t always believe I can do it.
That said, I’m growing into it. I’m learning to get more comfortable standing on my own, finding my voice, and trusting myself in spaces that once felt intimidating. I’m having a great time in the process, and each step forward has helped me grow both personally and professionally.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ChevalierLife.com
- Instagram: @chevalier_life
- Facebook: Yuel Neal
- Youtube: @chevalierlife9853
Image Credits
Photos by Jack Akana of Reflections HD Photography
