Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Roger Branon Rodriguez, co-founder of Woodnose, located in Fairfield, VT, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Woodnose is creating the next generation of non-alcoholic beverages. Our non-alcoholic aperitif is made with our family maple syrup, fermented and aged in bourbon barrels, and combined with coffee. We appeal to anyone looking for a delicious, complex, non-alcoholic beverage.

Tell us about yourself

We started our business in northern Vermont. Justin is from a 5th generation maple sugarmaking family. We wanted to make maple weird, taking it beyond desserts and breakfast.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

We won a gold medal for "Best Non-Alcoholic Beverage 2021" at the L.A. Spirit Awards. We were also chosen as one of the "15 Best Non-Alcoholic Beverages" by the New York Times/Wirecutter.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

Because of COVID, we've had a hard time getting out and meeting our audience.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

Have a story people can get behind. People love a good founder-led brand. Tell your story through your branding, online presence, product experience, everywhere. No one else can tell your story. Your brand is you.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

We are creating our next beverage using Hawaiian flavors! I was raised in Hawaii and am here to create our next great beverage.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.woodnosedrinks.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/woodnosedrinks
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/woodnosedrinks/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/woodnosedrinks
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/woodnose/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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