On today’s episode of the Entrepreneur Evolution Podcast, we are joined by Merrilee Kick, CEO and Founder of BuzzBallz/Southern Champion, the only woman-owned Distillery/Winery/Brewery combination in the United States. Merrilee was also recently featured on The Women Presidents' Organization (WPO) 2021 50 Fastest Growing Women-Owned and -Led Companies.
The Carrollton, TX, based company led by Merrilee makes ready-to-drink cocktails called BuzzBallz, as well as spirits like rum, vodka, gin, bourbon, and some private label brands. The products are sold in 50 states and 21 countries. The company is family owned/operated and home to over 250 employees in the Dallas area. She is a winner of the Dallas Business Journal’s 2019 Most Admired CEO Award, the 2018 EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award Southwest, EY's Winning Women Award 2016, Winner of the Enterprising Women's Award 2017 and 2020’s Top 20 Award, Winner of the WPO’s 50 Fastest companies, Ranked in the Top 50 DFW Businesses by D CEO Magazine in 2021, Winner of the Top Women in Grocery in 2020, Winner of the 2020 Nielsen Brand Growth Award for Product of the Year Award-Spiked Beverage (BuzzTallz), and Winner of the 2013 Distinguished Alumni Award from Texas Woman’s University. Merrilee has a BS/BA from the University of Montana, an MBA from Texas Woman’s University, and she is currently attending the OPM Program at Harvard Business School. Merrilee’s 2 sons, husband of 33 years, and 2 daughters-in-law all work for the family business.
To learn more about BuzzBallz/Southern Chamption, visit https://www.buzzballz.com/
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