The Firewater Network The Firewater Network

Vancouver, BC

Oola Distillery Firewater Podcast by The Firewater Network

We talk with Tom Burkleaux, one of the pioneering founders of Portland, Oregon's New Deal Distillery.

Provocative spirits, local ingredients, and craft ingenuity are among the highlights of our discussion with this Squamish, BC based distillery. The Firewater Network is proud to bring our listeners an in-depth talk with the team behind Gillespie's Fine Spirits.

It's a privilege to speak with someone who understands what it takes to get products in front of the decision makers at retailers large and small. And when that person draws upon a lifetime of experience to innovate the way sales teams are managed, the conversation is truly enlightening. Tim Jones of Great Vines is an industry veteran who knows that not only is on-prem sales different from off, but an independent shopkeeper requires a different approach than a national chain. Further, he's bringing all he's learned to Great Vines to empower alcohol producers and sales teams with the tools they need to spend more time in front of customers and less in day-to-day drudgery.

Listen to the Firewater interview as we dive into the world of the sales, how to approach a shop's gatekeeper, when to bring on a sales team, and how to efficiently manage people in the field when it is time to grow.

What are the essentials of getting a distillery up and running? Space. Still. Bottles. Story. Recipe. These essentials will get you a product and get that product into a sellable state, but a distillery needs more. The government says you need a bond to get started and to store your product. Common sense says you should have some level of protection just in case anything happens at your distillery. All it takes is a bad weld to give out at the wrong time and all your distillery dreams can come crashing down. The transportation of alcohol brings unique challenges that most goods don’t face. The peculiarities and potential pitfalls of starting up a distillery are where Aaron Linden of HUB International Insurance thrives.

Listen to the Firewater Network interview with Aaron, where we discuss common mistakes that founders make when first getting started, the importance of working with an industry expert for a highly technical undertaking like a distillery, and the commitment that an insurance guy has to protect a nascent industry. Visit the Firewater Network and hear more podcasts at www.firewaternetwork.com/podcasts