Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Scott McClure, Co-Owner of Seven Jars Distillery, LLC, located in Charlotte, NC, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We cultivate relationships through a mutual appreciation of American Bourbon, Distillation, Wine Making, and Homebrew Recipes. Our story begins around 1900, where we were primarily responsible for the creation and distribution of North Carolina's adult beverages. Frank Ratcliffe was a bootlegger and club owner with illegal booze and gambling. In 1950, he met and married his wife, Velma. He then turned completely legitimate and began selling and buying real estate and building golf courses. Today, his family operates 22 golf courses, a software development company, a golf cart company, invests in commercial and residential real estate, and operates a distillery and winery.
Tell us about yourself
My father-in-law, Frank Ratcliffe, said one day, the government would make it easier to open a distillery. In 2014, with the explosion of modern-day breweries, we began looking into opening our distillery. Frank passed away in 1977, and Velma passed in 2013, so Seven Jars has become a vehicle for keeping their story alive.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Our collaboration with the Ava Gardner Trust to develop a top-shelf American Bourbon suitable to carry her name serves as our greatest accomplishment to date. The first limited release in 2020 was such a resounding success that we released a Second Edition of Ava Gardner Select Bourbon at 102 Proof this year. It's flying off the shelves.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Training a well-versed staff capable of resolving a number of issues is one of our hardest tasks. One day our business will have enough business to have more dedicated job descriptions, but everyone has to wear multiple hats as a growing business.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Have a clear mission that directs everything you do - and at the top of that list should be to sustain a profit and reward people, staff, and customers.
- Keep listening, training, and hiring great associates because you're done the moment you stop.
- Listen and respond to your customers and make sure you understand what they are saying; if you don't, they'll find someone (a competitor) who makes them feel valued.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Don't take yourself too seriously. Have a good time. Provide for your people. Make a difference today in whatever you're involved in.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://sevenjars.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SevenJarsProducts/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seven_jars/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sevenjars
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/seven-jars/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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