Episode 23: This episode of the Bellarmine on Business podcast explores the journey of marketing craft bourbon in Eastern Europe, focusing on the experiences of Eddie and Steve Smith, founders of Kentucky Exports LLC and Bourbon Kings UAB. They discuss the challenges and opportunities in introducing Kentucky bourbon to markets like Lithuania and Poland, the importance of building relationships with distillers, navigating export regulations, and the unique marketing strategies required in a vodka-dominated region.
The conversation highlights the entrepreneurial spirit and the support from trade organizations that aid in their mission to expand the reach of craft bourbon. They delve into the complexities of exporting bourbon to Europe, focusing on the logistics of bottling, labeling, and navigating tariffs. The group discusses the impact of tariffs on pricing and demand, strategies for dealing with potential tariffs, and the importance of building trust with international partners. They also explore market expansion opportunities in various European countries and emphasize the significance of authenticity in branding and consumer relationships.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Welcome and Guest Introduction
03:20 Introducing to Craft Bourbon in Europe
05:44 Building Relationships with Distillers
10:00 Marketing Craft Bourbon in Vodka Country
13:06 Navigating Export Regulations and Standards
14:58 Leveraging Support from Trade Organizations
19.06 Navigating International Bottling and Labeling
22:33 Understanding Tariffs and Their Impact
29:19 Strategies for Dealing with Tariffs
35:29 Expanding into European Markets
37:57 Building Trust and Authenticity in Business
40:19 Conclusion
We hope you found some interesting insights. If we could ask you to do one thing, that would be to take this episode and share it out on your social media so that other people can learn about it. Let other people hear about what we're doing at the Rubel School of Business and also what they're doing at Kentucky Exports and Bourbon Kings. Just a fantastic initiative, guys. And I wish all of you just a tremendous runway there and lot of success going forward.
From all of us here at the Bellarmine on Business Podcast. Until next time, Swords Up and Let's Go Knights!
To Learn More:
Website: https://www.kentuckyexports.com
Website: https://bourbonkings.eu
Website: https://bourbonbarreltavern.com/
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