Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jeff Hamilton-Gahart, CEO of York Gin USA, located in Sonoma, CA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
A sales, marketing, and advertising company to sell an incredible award-winning British craft gin in the US, York Gin.
Tell us about yourself
A recently retired engineer that pivoted into the CEO role of a sales and marketing organization for an incredible spirits product with international appeal. I became involved in York Gin by serendipity. I met her and her partner at a restaurant in York, UK, when I was dining by myself in July 2018, and they asked me to join them at dinner. My business was started by fate and gracious hospitality.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Finding and recruiting an incredible team to work with me and finding a fantastic export partner in the UK to handle all logistics, shipping, accounting, invoicing, and sales.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Understanding all the legal and regulatory hurdles that can lie in your path and having options before they are encountered.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Do not underestimate what services and partnerships can be completed by equity stakes only.
- Get an incredible CFO and Director of Sales/Marketing involved as early as possible. Use your network for personal referrals of folks who have worked with you extensively and respect.
- Having an adaptive and logical plan that is based on reasonable chunks of effort builds on the success and offers a path to the fastest revenue to build momentum.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://yorkgin.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeffhg10/
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.