Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Tim Felkner, Co-Founder of Uncle Tim's Cocktails, located in Denver, CO, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Uncle Tim's Cocktails serves bottled craft cocktails for those that desire a unique tasting experience in the comfort of their home. All of our cocktail sets are blended using carefully selected spirits, liqueurs, and bitters. Just pour over ice and enjoy!
Tell us about yourself
Uncle Tim's Cocktails is the product of a decade-long journey between myself and my business partner, Patrick Stern, combined with our love for hosting friends and family. We realized there was a lack of ready-made, high-quality cocktails. Why spend life's most bottleable moments stuck behind the bar? Thus, Uncle Tim's Cocktails was born. Every day, I get the opportunity to wake up and do what I love with the people I love, and I feel incredibly lucky to be able to do so.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Our biggest accomplishments to date are our Gold medal from this year's Denver International Spirits Competition and a gold medal from the SIP Awards! These are huge accolades, typically awarded to larger companies, so we are honored to have been awarded in our first year.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
I would say one of the hardest things about running your own business is the different "hats" one has to wear in the process. In the beginning, you're playing the roles of CFO, HR Rep, Marketing Guru, and Salesman. Once you're able to start giving those "hats" to other people who are just as passionate about your business's success, everything falls into place.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
If you're looking to start a business, start with something you're really passionate about. For me, it was my love of hosting and my background in the food and beverage industries that led me to start Uncle Tim's Cocktails. If you're looking to run your own business, I would suggest surrounding yourself with the kind of people you think your brand would attract as consumers. When your team reflects your audience, it's a lot easier to get through to them. Celebrate your mistakes and learn from them. If you do the same thing every time, you'll get the same results.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
If you're local to Colorado or looking for an excuse to travel to the most colorful state in the nation, look out for our Mobile bar at upcoming events around the state! We've got festivals, markets, dinners, and community events that we are participating in all throughout the year.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.uncletimscocktails.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncletimscocktails
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncletimscocktails/
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.
Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.