Shows
Women and the Drinks BizPodcast FINALE and Next ChapterSend us a textIt’s been three and a half years since I launched my first episode, deep in the COVID pandemic and at the helm of a California cider company. A lot has happened since then, I have talked to a lot of amazing people, and I have shared and learned a whole lot about being a female businesswoman in the alcohol industry. But now this podcast is coming to an end to make way for a new partnership, a new direction, and a new podcast. I’m saying both good bye and I’ll see yo...
2024-06-2410 min
Women and the Drinks BizClosing the Taproom Doors - How, When and What to Do with Tracy GunnSend us a textStarting a business is tough, especially in the alcohol and hospitality industry. What’s more tough? Shutting it down. But how do you know if you even should? Tracy Gunn of Exitable says you should always have an exit strategy and an end goal. Join us as we walk through what that looks like and how she has lived it herself with her own businesses. It’s a straight talk episode to finish out this amazing podcast journey. Special Mentions:ExitableThe E...
2024-05-2759 min
Women and the Drinks Biz1785 Cider: Blazing a Modern Cider Trail in Germany with WendySend us a textWendy LeBlanc cut her teeth in the tech industry in Seattle, learning data systems at Microsoft and elsewhere. But the call of cider drew her and her partner to the Black Forest of Germany to set up 1785 Cider company based out of his parent’s farmstead and orchard. She’s blazing a cider trail, slinging apples, and building a market and community in this special place. 1785 CiderSpecial Mentions:City FruitMaster Fruit Steward Progr...
2024-05-1345 min
Women and the Drinks BizIs Your Taproom Website Working for You? with Kesley Gilbert-KreilingSend us a textEver wondered if your website is working well for you? There are specific things that the bar and restaurant industry need to make sure their online presence in their website is doing the best that it can to help their business. Kelsey Gilbert-Kreiling has built a community and a business around designing amazing websites and teaching others to do so with the Week of the Website. She joins me to share her story as she moved through the male-dominated tech space and grew a small business that was woman-led...
2024-04-1551 min
Women and the Drinks BizLodestar Whiskey: Building a Whiskey Brand for Women with Anna and WendelinSend us a textBorn with strong German roots, Anna and Wendelin came up through the entertainment industry in the US, following their passions for film and music. But over the years on the road they fell in love with whiskey. In 2023 they set their sights on building a new brand and a new beverage that builds a community around whiskey and is open and accessible to all. Lodestar Whiskey was born and these ladies are full steam ahead! lodestar (noun) : a star that leads or guides; one that...
2024-04-0146 min
Women and the Drinks BizDragon's Head Cider: Small and Fierce PNW Cider with Laura CherrySend us a textBuilding a cidery and orchard from scratch on an Island in the Puget Sound in Washington State was a major career shift for Laura Cherry and her husband. Now in its 2nd decade, Dragon’s Head Cider has started true to its traditional english cider roots and added a taproom downtown this fall. Laura joins me to reflect on her cider journey and celebrate the community that she has built under the cider apple and perry pear blossoms. Dragon's Head CiderSHOP!Terms:...
2024-03-1845 min
Women and the Drinks BizWomen's History Month - A History and a CommentarySend us a textAnnually the US celebrates and recognizes the amazing achievements of women throughout history and in the present day. What started as a Day turned into a Week and finally in 1987 gained the designation of an entire Month - Women’s History Month. This March we jump into the humble beginnings of this idea and how it grew into an international movement. For better or worse.References:
2024-03-0419 min
Women and the Drinks BizDC Brau: How to Make Beer for All! with PauletteSend us a textDC Brau has been a gold standard in craft beer in DC for more than a decade. During that time Paulette Palacios has moved up through the beer scene, learning all the ins and outs of beer buying and building a network within the industry. Today they head up the taproom for the DC Brau Brewery and are instrumental in supporting diversity and equality initiatives in the beer industry across the region. Paulette sits down with me to share how they got here, walk me through a day in...
2024-02-1948 min
Women and the Drinks BizGet Out and Lifescape with Monique AllenSend us a textMonique Allen has spent the last several decades in landscaping, building a thriving business, supporting a team, and recrafting their approach to the industry through the three pillars of planet, people, and profit. From her entrepreneurial experience she has also developed a program called lifescaping to help others build better lives and better businesses in the trades. She joins me to share her journey in another male-dominated industry and share how she has grown and learned to be a better leader and now a coach for others. Garden ContinuumThe Li...
2024-02-0548 min
Women and the Drinks BizSage Bird Ciderworks: Apple-achian Cider with AmberleeSend us a textAmberlee and her husband landed in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia for college and have now made their mark by launching the first cidery in town. Together they built a local network, organically grew a business during a pandemic, and now have a thriving space for cidermaking, the arts, and the community. She has built the vision that is Sage Bird Ciderworks and they are crushing it. Literally and figuratively.Special Mentions:Sage Bird CiderworksCIDER STORE!BOTTLE CLUB!Glaize Orchards Virginia Cider Association...
2024-01-2247 min
Women and the Drinks BizWomen and the Drinks Biz Podcast = A New Year and a New Name!Send us a textHere we are! A new year, and a new name for this podcast. I’m changing it up, cleaning it up, getting organized. As I jumped into a rebrand for this podcast, it brought me back to so many points of time along my cider business journey. So here’s why I felt I needed to shake things up and give this podcast a fresh start. But don’t fear! My stories and interviews will be the same and my mission and goals have not changed. Women and the Drinks Biz now offers even m...
2024-01-0816 min
Women and the Drinks BizWine Country Women: A Voice for Women in Wine with Michelle MandroSend us a textI talk a lot about the village in the cider world, and in beer, and in spirits. Michelle Mandro is building a network and a community within the wine world to support and highlight the work and successes of women across the wine industry. Wine Country Women has built a network, printed beautiful books featuring women in wine and spearheads scholarships and mentorships to support members at every level. We talk about what it’s like to be the first to build a network like this and what it takes and why it’s im...
2023-12-1846 min
Women and the Drinks BizOrganic Online Marketing is NOT HARD or SCARY! with Lauren GaggioliSend us a textBuilding your organic marketing ecosystem. Say what?? Entrepreneurship takes a lot of work - building a product or service, constructing a business around it, securing sales, and marketing. So much marketing. And the website still reigns supreme as the gateway to your audience online. It must showcase your company culture and purpose while also hitting the right keywords and points. It’s a lot and that’s what Lauren Gaggioli is here to talk about. How do we optimize SEO while also focusing on purpose-driven goals. And yes, you should be doin...
2023-12-0449 min
Women and the Drinks BizHot Plate Brewing: Brewing in the Berkshires with SarahSend us a textSarah Real is a self-taught home brewer out of Brooklyn who, along with her husband, took the giant leap and founded a commercial brewery in the Berkshires in Massachusetts. She loves fermenting traditional beers but also highlighting the ingredients and pushing the flavor profile to construct new and interesting brews. She joins me to share her brewing journey and what it took to set up a taproom for Hot Plate Brewing Company and a community of their own. Hot Plate Brewing @hotplatebeer
2023-11-2049 min
Women and the Drinks BizOur Failed Search for a TaproomSend us a textIn 2017 when we were a couple years into South City Ciderworks we launched an effort to find a new location for a taproom/tasting room. We looked up the peninsula and down the peninsula. We looked at our own location and down in South Bay. So many places and so many letdowns. I’m stepping back in time to share our tale of shopping around for a taproom for our cidery and all the reasons it never worked out. I’d like to think it shines some light on where we were going with...
2023-11-0633 min
Women and the Drinks BizCall Up Your Inner Activist! with Virginia Lacayo, PhDSend us a textShe’s an activist, a survivor, an entrepreneur, and a mentor. Virginia Lacayo has been through a lot growing up in Nicaragua and is here to share her story and how she has learned to be her own advocate and fight for the rights of other women and minorities. Anyone can be an activist but sometimes you just need a little help to get that change started. Luckily there are people like Virginia who can guide the way. Special MentionsMassive Systemic Change - We partner with lea...
2023-10-2154 min
Women and the Drinks BizCider Sister's Cider: Traditional Cider in Idaho with KatySend us a textIt’s all about the Power of One! Katy Dang of Cider Sister’s Cider in Idaho has stayed true to the traditional cidermaking processes of old and as a one woman business has built a brand and a following around her cider. Her path took her from one coast to another and across the pond and back. Join us as she shares what she has learned along the way and how she keeps it real and keeps it simple with her aged dry cider. Cider Sister's Cider...
2023-10-091h 01
Women and the Drinks BizWild Bevy Distilling: Foraged Craft Spirits in Maine with MaeSend us a textMae Littlefield had a couple of different businesses under her belt before she set out with her husband to develop and build a beautiful distillery in Southern Maine complete with a lovely lineup of craft spirits foraged from all parts of the state and showcasing the amazing smells and tastes of this unique New England region. But it has not come without its challenges. Special Mentions:Wild Bevy DistillingHardshore Distilling CompanyThank you to Tony Stuck for the awesome intro...
2023-09-251h 08
Women and the Drinks BizHistory of Cider in the US - Johnny Appleseed - The Man Behind the LegendSend us a textJohnny Appleseed is an American folk hero, myth, and legend. But he was also an actual man. On this episode we go back to the time of John Chapman to relive his story and learn about his contribution to cider and the American apples culture. It’s a far cry from the happy go lucky Disney version but like with most legends, there are always seeds of truth. Thank you so much to those who were referenced for the content in this episode. I cut and pasted a bunch and...
2023-09-1121 min
Women and the Drinks BizPresque Isle Cider: Farm Cider in Northern Michigan with MollySend us a textWe’re heading to Michigan to talk with Molly Stepanski, co-owner of Presque Isle Farm and Cider. She and her husband have learned by trial and error what works and what doesn’t on a farm and have created a successful vegetable farm and small batch hard cider brand as well, complete with a brick and mortar tasting room in town. Join us as Molly shares her cider journey and how she has conquered obstacles all along the way to create something amazing. Special Mentions:Presque Isle...
2023-08-2852 min
Women and the Drinks BizBehind the Scenes: Central Coast Cider FestivalSend us a textEvery year COVID aside the Central Coast of California cider community comes together to host an amazing event so aptly named: the Central Coast Cider Festival. The event showcases ciders from all over the state, poured by the producers themselves. There’s music, and food trucks, and did I mention tons of cider? If you’re nearby, check it out. If you’re not look around and you might find one just like it nearby. For this episode I sit down with the planning team to share all about why it started, why these...
2023-08-0758 min
Women and the Drinks BizDig Deep and Stay Courageous! with Carina Ramirez Cahan, Cobalt RoseSend us a textEntrepreneurship can be something learned from family or passed down through generations. Or it comes to us as special opportunities to build something new and watch it grow. As a serial entrepreneur, Carina Ramirez Cahan has been building companies over the years to meet different needs. First it was in the area of biofuel and now she is setting her sights on disrupting the bra industry with an innovative wireless option. This New Yorker joins me to talk about what it takes to dig deep, lean on your courage, and keep learning and...
2023-07-241h 08
Women and the Drinks BizCorralling the Cider Chaos with Co-Host Alisha BlueSend us a textInventory tracking, production scheduling, ingredient buying, vendor relations, task organization. All the critical yet not very sexy responsibilities that go into getting that craft drink in your hand. My former co-worker Alisha Blue joins me as we share a day in the life of production management. When everything is going right until it all goes very wrong. What needs to happen and how you adapt in the constantly shifting world of alcohol production.Online Production Management Resources (that helped us)Ekos - Brewery/cidery/distillery management softwareAsana...
2023-07-101h 12
Women and the Drinks BizVirtue Cider and Botanist and Barrel: A Tour through all the Tasks in Cider with BeccaSend us a textHer cider journey has taken her from a HUGE commercial cidery in Michigan to a small production cidery and tasting room in North Carolina where they use pet nat processes and disgorging. And each experience feeds her passion for cider and the apples that make it. Becca Galvin joins me to share her wild cider ride and share how she has made a place for herself both behind the bar and behind the scenes. Enjoy!Special Mentions and Resources:Virtue Cider
2023-06-261h 10
Women and the Drinks BizCrash Course in Beating Stress with Life Coach Annie DelreSend us a textAnnie Delre was intrigued at an early age by human nature and why we do the things we do. She harnessed that inquisitiveness into becoming a health and wellness coach for those trying to make their lives more productive, goal-oriented, harmonious, and happy. She joins us today to share some resources that she uses to help us reduce the stress, improve time management and increase our general sense of self worth. It’s a crash course in coaching so you better hold on.Resources:Coach Annie Delre...
2023-06-1250 min
Women and the Drinks BizSwilled Dog Cider: Creating West Virginia Cider with BrookeSend us a textShe has three kids under 10, she’s running one of the most successful cideries in West Virginia, she’s the Vice President of the Board of Directors for the American Cider Association and she balances it all so well. Brooke Glover shares how she built Swilled Dog Cider from the garage up and how she’s making it all work. Swilled Dog Cider - Visit their site to order some cider, see tasting room hours, and see what they're all about.Special MentionsSm...
2023-05-291h 05
Women and the Drinks BizCooking Up Some Romance with Amy ReileySend us a textAmy Reiley has a website, cookbook, and built a small publishing company so that she could help other independent writers get their cookbooks out to the people. She is also the leading authority in aphrodisiac gastronomy, blending chemistry and the power of persuasion into crafting the book on what you can eat to make you better in bed. She has a passion for the history and cultures around food and now shares her journey and the lessons she has learned along the way. An aphrodisiac is a substance alleged...
2023-05-1548 min
Women and the Drinks BizSeptenary Winery: Winemaker Spotlight with CorrySend us a textVirginia has a thriving wine culture and tradition where Corry Craighill continues to make her mark as a winemaker. Now at Septenary Winery in Central Virginia, Corry has learned both the art and science of making wine through hands-on experiences at wineries on multiple continents. She shares her journey and advice she has for carving out a name for yourself and finding the position that fits you best. Special Mentions: Virginia WineJefferson VineyardsBlenheim VineyardsKing Family VineyardsSeptenary WineryPurchase
2023-05-0155 min
Women and the Drinks BizWhy We Couldn't Quit or The Power of the Sunk Cost FallacySend us a textThis is a thing. You’ve poured your heart and soul into a business, a career, a relationship. It’s toxic, you’re emotional, you’re drained, you’re not yourself. Yet you stay with it because you think it’s worth it. You’ve invested so much. The sunk cost fallacy is absolutely a thing and here is my story of how it impacted us and our cider company. And disclaimer - this might not be pretty. Thank you to Tony Stuck for the awesome intro/outro music and to Ma...
2023-04-1727 min
Women and the Drinks BizCan We Talk About HOPS??Send us a textHOPS! They're required to make beer and tastes mighty nice in cider as well! Because I didn’t know most of this myself, I want to take you on a brief tour of hops - what the hell are they? Why and how they are used in beer, the history of growing them in the US, and why we liked them so much, we made a flagship cider with them for South City Ciderworks.Cited References:Hop Growers of America - Growing Hops is Thirsty Wo...
2023-04-0328 min
Women and the Drinks BizRevolution Brewing Co: A Lesson in Beer Sales with MaggieSend us a textSome people are definitely born with the sales gene. And Maggie Skinner of Revolution Brewing has seen every side of beer sales from getting small breweries off the ground and into the market, to managing the house - the whole house - to working for a distributor and their portfolio, to now managing sales for a brewery with a regional market. She’s experienced all levels and all sorts of people and is here to tell us all about it from her base in Milwaukee. Great Resources for Women in Cra...
2023-03-201h 11
Women and the Drinks BizCultured Kombucha Co: Crafting Booch with CourtneySend us a textStarting with baking, Courtney Lorenz knew she wanted to work with fermentations while also helping people lead healthy lives. This joint mission led her to kombucha and building an amazing brand and product in Northern Michigan. On this episode she shares her fermentation journey, why she is so drawn to this beverage, and how she has single-handedly built this company over the last 8 years. And yes, I made sure ahead of time that she wasn’t offended if I called it Booch. Special Mentions:What is Ko...
2023-03-0654 min
Women and the Drinks BizSF Chronicle: Reporting on Wine with JessSend us a textWhen producing a beverage for public consumption it is important to know beforehand that people even want it. When you get rolling, that consumer feedback is still so important. But so is market data, category trends, and what the media is saying. Jess Lander from the SF Chronicle joins me to share her story as a wine and travel writer and her perspective of the wine industry from in front of the tasting room bar. She has always had a passion for writing and focuses those skills on telling the stories...
2023-02-2054 min
Women and the Drinks BizCall out the Bulls**t with Cara Tuttle BellSend us a textShe’s focused her education and career on empowering women and advocating for their well-being. Now she has put her experiences into words with a new book about cultivating assertiveness and finding your voice. Cara Tuttle Bell joins me to share her personal journey and dive into why the systems are failing women in the workplace and what we can do to help ourselves and each other. Harness that rage ladies!Get her book today! Drowning in Timidity: Women, Politeness, and the Power of Assertive LivingFr...
2023-02-061h 14
Women and the Drinks BizLost Boy Cider: Chasing Cider with TeganSend us a textOn this episode we head to the Commonwealth of Virginia to a cidery focused on dry ciders, fresh ingredients, and unique flavors. Tegan Biun is half of the cidermaking powerhouse team over at Lost Boy Cider in Alexandria and brings her wealth of cider knowledge, experience and passion to their production processes. She shares her winding journey that got her to Virginia, the ciders she makes, and the importance of cultivating equity in the alcohol community and supporting each other as women and as producers.Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Resources:
2023-01-231h 03
Women and the Drinks BizA Producer's Comments on Dry JanuarySend us a textThe Sober Curious movement is gaining traction in this country which I am reminded of at the start of every year with all the Dry January posts. And if you need to reassess your relationship with alcohol, please, by all means. But on behalf of alcohol producers, I feel compelled to say a few words about how a neo-prohibition movement, no matter how small, must not negate the love, respect, and passion that cidermakers, winemakers, brewers, distillers, and fermenters in general have for the beverages they produce. These professionals have an avid dedication...
2023-01-0921 min
Women and the Drinks BizTwo Broads Ciderworks: Distinct Ciders from CA Central Coast with Morgan and MaggieSend us a textFor this episode we’re headed back West, to the Central Coast of California. There, Morgan and Maggie have been building Two Broads Ciderworks - focusing on locally grown apples and wild fermented, co-fermented, single varietal, and classically blended ciders. They have bootstrapped a small business and also continue to face challenges, like most in the queer community in America. Despite it all, they’re staying true to themselves and their company vision, growing organically, and adapting to meet every obstacle.Two Broads Ciderworks - For...
2022-12-121h 17
Women and the Drinks BizCrush your LinkedIn Profile with Limor Bergman GrossSend us a textStarting in the tech world as a programmer, Limor worked her way up to manage teams of engineers both in Israel and the US, all while also raising four children and moving between countries. She has recently redirected those skills to helping other women in the tech space as a coach and mentor. On this episode she shares her story and some helpful tips to making your LinkendIn profile the best that it can be, and it should be!, and ways that women can reach out for professional guidance and to be always...
2022-11-281h 00
Women and the Drinks BizCringeworthy Distributor ContractsSend us a textYou’re trying to grow a market for your brand but you’re running out of time in the day? You’re in a state where you can’t sell your own products in the market and have to work with a wholesale distributor? Just interested in what it takes to sign with one? Shopping around for the perfect distribution partner would take til the end of time, but here are the questions to ask and the things to think about for companies that want or need to make the next step to larger d...
2022-11-1435 min
Women and the Drinks BizInternational Cellars: Conquering Wine Sales with Meagan BishopSend us a textIt’s been 20 years since Meagan Bishop and I said buh bye to high school and set off on our own separate courses. She actually jumped into sales and the alcohol industry much earlier than I did so while I am still in Virginia we are sitting down to discuss her journey through golf courses, tennis lessons, winery tasting rooms, and all that has led her to wine sales and distribution. She has the Irish gift of the gab and is here to share where that can take you and how her passion fo...
2022-10-311h 28
Women and the Drinks BizBring in the Cash with Jamie BarlettSend us a textFor this episode Jamie Barlett of PolyPay joins me to talk about the great resource that she has developed to connect small businesses with the payment processing tools that they need while also sharing her journey of building this finance company from the ground up as a female in a male dominated financial industry. It’s another example of carving out your place and making it your own.Special Mentions:PolyPayBusinesses require flexibility in the different ways they accept payments, whether through tr...
2022-10-171h 02
Women and the Drinks BizKachaca Spirits: Capturing the Spirit of Brazil with AdelaideSend us a textAdelaide spent years assessing risk for an insurance company, using her math background to save money and work out inefficiencies. During COVID she got the entrepreneurship bug and changed gears entirely. Now a couple of years into building a spirits brand from scratch she shares her story - why she made the leap to the alcohol industry, her passion behind the Brazilian drink of cachaca, and a few pointers on getting a company started from the ground up.Special Mentions:Kachaca SpiritsClassic
2022-10-031h 11
Women and the Drinks BizClaim Your Voice with Laurie GilbertsonSend us a textLaurie Gilbertson was a criminal prosecutor in New York for 10 years and then made the jump to consulting, sharing all that she had learned with other lawyers and entrepreneurs. She shares her experiences being a female in another male-dominated industry, and some tips and tricks for putting your best self forward for a sales pitch or any communications in the business world.Tribeca Blue ConsultingWant to become a better communicator, or just boost your confidence when talking about your business? Get in touch with them today!
2022-09-191h 13
Women and the Drinks BizCider Company Closure and Looking AheadSend us a textToday I have some news to share - that South City Ciderworks is closing its doors and shutting down production permanently. This has been a painful journey over the last month and I know that it is not over yet. But through it all I have had this podcast, and I have more yet to share, assuming I don’t start feeling like a total imposter.Thank you to Tony Stuck for the awesome intro/outro music and to Mary Ann King for the amazing pod art that you see for ev...
2022-09-1212 min
Women and the Drinks BizTieton/Schilling/ACA: Cider Education with JennieSend us a textJennie Dorsey has built a career around her passion for cider and her enthusiasm is contagious. She’s been on the sales beat, she’s managed a sales team, she’s run a taproom restaurant, she’s written the rules on how to taste, analyze, and talk about cider and she joins me on this episode to talk all about it!Special Mentions:Tieton Cider WorksPortland Cider House for Schilling CiderAmerican Cider Association - Certified Cider Professional ProgramThank you to Tony Stuck for the...
2022-08-231h 10
Women and the Drinks BizBlack Mermaid Lifestyle Beer Brand: Beer as a Lifestyle with AirelleSend us a textThe interviews are back! I sit down with Airelle Peters of Black Mermaid Lifestyle Brand and soon to be Justified & Worthy Brewing Company to talk about making beer, drinking beer, and promoting and educating women and minorities in the industry. It’s not easy being a reservist for the military, a cicerone, a brewer, and a mother but she’s done it all!Special Brewery Mentions:Railyard Brewing CompanyFounders Brewing Company - Racial Discrimination Lawsuit SettlementJustified & Worthy Brewery - @j...
2022-08-0857 min
Women and the Drinks BizAll the Things You Can Crunch, Crush, or CollapseSend us a textGlass hydrometers, production hoses, rubber impellers, racking arms, butterfly valves, and stainless steel tanks. All critical to the production of cider. And all oh so easy to completely destroy. And over the years we have done our fair share of breaking stuff. Just to give you an idea of all that can and has been destroyed in the process of making our cider, I thought I’d share at least my first take a list. We're only human after all.Ever had something break unintentionally or had to work through an em...
2022-07-2528 min
Women and the Drinks BizThe Challenge of the Shelf PlacementSend us a textEvery bottle, can, box, tube, and paper towel in a big box grocery store is there because a lot of different voices and interests have decided it is so. And getting your craft beverage on that shelf can be a daunting task. But it’s not the only off-premise option for products. For this episode I dive into all the options we have as small producers to get our products on shelves in stores.And that’s a wrap! Have you had a sales victory recently? Been overwhelmed with the difficulty of f...
2022-06-1435 min
Women and the Drinks BizFar West Cider: Expanding a Family Apple Legacy with AndreaSend us a textThe apple orchard has been in the family for five generations and that love and legacy shows through in the great cider that they make. For this episode, Andrea from Far West Cider over in Richmond, CA joins me to chat about growing up on the family farm, her journey into cider, and what they’re doing to innovate and keep things interesting with the beverages they make.Special Mentions:Hard Core Cider TourFar West Cider - Subscription Bo...
2022-05-1657 min
Women and the Drinks BizMoving Away - Making Difficult Personal Decisions in BusinessSend us a textWhen I started South City Ciderworks seven years ago I wasn’t thinking about where my life would be down the road and that I might not want to be in California for the rest of it. Almost a decade later, a little girl later, a global pandemic later, and a company merger later we have packed up our life and are moving back home to the East Coast. It was one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make and I’d like to share why I did it and what...
2022-05-0325 min
Women and the Drinks BizAmerican Cider Association: The Voice for the Cider Category with MichelleSend us a textEach alcohol category in the US has its own association, or if anything, an organization that helps spread education and advocacy about the craft. For cider, we have an amazing woman at the helm who has helped build the American Cider Association into a vocal champion for us cidermakers, cidery owners, and cider enthusiasts. I sit down with Michelle this episode to hear all about her unique cider journey and her role in the industry.Cider Resources:VinoShipper - Direct to Consumer resourceCiderConCider Institute...
2022-04-181h 07
Women and the Drinks BizBlindwood Cider: Building a Family Cider Business with ErinSend us a textFor this episode in my cidermaker series I am joined by another member of the Blindwood Cider team over in San Leandro, California. Erin helped her brother Drew create the business and has kept the company running while he has kept the cider flowing. We talk all about building a cider company, building a brand, and building your village.Special Mentions:Cider Summit @cidersummitCastro Valley Natural Grocery - @castrovalleynaturalgroceryAnd that’s a wrap! If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review to help...
2022-03-2800 min
Women and the Drinks BizHemly Cider: Pressing Apples and Growing Pears in the Delta with SarahSend us a textThe Delta, just east of San Francisco Bay is home to one of the more unique alcohol producers in the area, Hemly Cider. And for this episode I dive back into our cider community and catch up with Sarah Hemly. She joins me to share her cider journey and all about how to get a business off the ground, what it takes to keep it going, how awesome pears really are in case you didn’t already know, and what she’s learned from being a woman at the helm. It has been quit...
2022-02-281h 12
Women and the Drinks BizHistory of Cider in the US - Part 2Send us a textThe downfall of cider in this country is a multi-pronged sword with reasons ranging from temperance evangelists to federal legislation to immigration to harvest timing. It’s not just one chop of the axe. We have seen a rise, a fall, and new rise of cider in the US and for this episode I finish out the story. Please subscribe, rate, and review to help out this podcast! 5 stars goes a long long way and I so appreciate your support. I know it says write a review and that can be dau...
2022-02-2822 min
Women and the Drinks BizHistory of Cider in the US - Part ISend us a textCider has a Looooooooong history in this country, basically as old as the Mayflower itself. You may have heard it was North America’s number one drink at the start of our colonial colonies and on into the 1800s. And you would have heard right. Here is part one of a special history segment showcasing how cider has helped keep people healthy and sane and won elections well up until its tragic downfall and fabulous rebirth.If you've enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review to help out this podcast! 5 st...
2022-02-1422 min
Women and the Drinks BizCOVID Comes to the CiderySend us a textIt’s been 9 months since I’ve talked about the pandemic. But this past weekend, COVID finally came to the cidery. So here’s the small business take on how this pandemic is hitting us from our team testing positive, hiring, to prices and supply, to general morale. It’s unavoidable. It’s everywhere we turn. So here’s an update now that we’re two years into this thing.Is COVID impacting your business in ways you couldn’t imagine? Would love to hear your perspective! Email me at jenn@drinksbizwomen.co...
2022-01-2430 min
Women and the Drinks BizDuvel: From the Perspective of the Beer Buyer with LolaSend us a textIt is not often that you meet someone who has served the beer, ordered the beer, distributed the beer, and also sold the beer. And today we have one of those power house ladies from the Bay Area. Lola has a vast experience from almost every angle of the craft beer world and today I sat down with her to hear her journey, share lessons from her experiences, and give a behind the scenes view of how the tap list at your local bar takes shape. And trust me, it doesn't happen on...
2022-01-041h 16
Women and the Drinks BizA Personal Tribute to the Women Behind the BarSend us a textBeing behind the bar and keeping a restaurant or bar fully stocked with inventory and organized with a menu is hard work. And super time consuming. A lot goes into that tap list that you see when you sit down at the bar. And for the women in this world, they deal with a lot of other crap as well. So I interrupt this buyer series to do a quick reflection on the women who I am talking to and why they are amazing... Even if they don’t always feel amazing.
2021-12-1314 min
Women and the Drinks BizMoksa Brewing Co: From the Beer Buyer behind the Bar with IsabelSend us a textI’ve talked with producers, I’ve talked with distributors, now I’m shifting gears to showcase the buyers. These are the women behind the bar who are making the decisions and keeping the cider and beer flowing. For this episode I sit down with Isabel who has a great story to tell as she’s moved from bar, to taproom, to brewery, building her own wealth of knowledge and sharing that education with the masses. This is a start to a longer series about women behind the bar and how they’re crushing i...
2021-11-2257 min
Women and the Drinks BizBeating Big Beer as a Small IndependentSend us a textBig beer has a lot of resources to help boost their sales and keep the little guys down. But we have some tricks of our own and some aspects of being small that work in our favor. I cover some of those sales strategies that have helped us over the years. They might be pretty common sense but hey, they work! And that’s what matters. Any particular strategies work in your favor? Any particular sales victories you’d like to share? I’d love to hear all about it! Email me at in...
2021-11-0827 min
Women and the Drinks Biz"Dear Big Beer", from a Small Independent (with update)Send us a textUPDATE! Have added a PERFECT example for this episode which happened a week after it launched, while I was doing deliveries in SF. To just listen to that experience, skip ahead to 17min: 16sec. Enjoy!In the alcohol beverage industry, you have big beer. Macro labels that are brands we all know, all got excited about drinking once we hit college. They were small brands once and have built beer empires in this country by flooding the market with easy drinking, standardized products. And on top of that, they maintain a...
2021-10-2522 min
Women and the Drinks BizGolden State Cider: Building a State-Wide Cider Brand with JolieSend us a textI’ve talked to suppliers and distributors, and now we’re circling back to talk to another awesome cider entrepreneur in the Bay Area - Jolie Devoto of Golden State Cider. She has been the heart and soul of a couple cider brands in Northern California and is joining me to talk about her journey, the evolution of those brands, and her passion for flavors and the local farm.Golden State Cider Club! Join today to receive your own packs of farm-focused ciders from California delivered directly to you. In CA...
2021-09-2051 min
Women and the Drinks BizThe Joys of Rebranding for a Small Cider CompanySend us a textPutting together a logo for your company is both exciting and super stressful. But it is OH SO important to how you will communicate your brand and your product to the world. It also might be the only thing they remember about your product besides the fact that they liked it. We always had a company name that we loved but the branding was much more of an adventure. I’ve mentioned it before but really want to dive into what that creative journey looked like for us. Special mention - Kr...
2021-09-0629 min
Women and the Drinks BizKeg Logistics: The Ins and Outs of the Keg Supplier with JillSend us a textOne important thing that you need when selling cider is a container to put it in. We can all of our ciders as I’ve mentioned many many times. But we also put it in kegs! And one lady has helped us build our fleet and helped us adapt it to fit our needs as we’ve grown. But how do you even get into such a packaging position? Jill from Keg Logistics shares her personal journey and what it’s been like to work on the supply side of this industry.If...
2021-08-171h 02Women and the Drinks BizMaternity Leave Fail as a Business OwnerSend us a textShe’s here! We did it! Little one has finally joined the family and we are of course over the moon. And now that we have all survived six weeks, I thought I’d check in, in case you’re wondering how it’s going. I think the statement - when it rains, it pours is the perfect one for how I feel life is going right now...And that’s a wrap! Anyone else survive maternity leave and feel like they got a god rhythm down? Anything you’d suggest in these ear...
2021-08-0217 min
Women and the Drinks BizDelta Pacific Beverage: The Distributor Perspective with LaurenSend us a textWholesale distribution is how many of us in the alcohol industry get our products out on shelves and onto menus at bars. But how does one get into that business? What could that journey look like? Lauren joins me to share her story, talking about the distributor relationship from the other side, and how that sector of the industry has been for the women who work in it. Thank you to Tony Stuck for the awesome intro/outro music and to Mary Ann King for the amazing pod a...
2021-07-0551 min
Women and the Drinks BizTumbled Rock Brewing Co: Brewing on Your Own Terms with EricaSend us a textI know lately I’ve been talking a lot about cider and babies. So for this episode I want to switch gears to get back to talking about beer. Beer and awesome women making beer. To help me with that I have a very special guest - Erica of Tumbled Rock Brewery Company - who has brought her awesome ideas and California-raised brewery production experience to this great new brewery in Wisconsin.Special Mentions:Tumbled Rock Brewery & KitchenPink Boots Society - We are the female movers and sh...
2021-06-221h 18
Women and the Drinks BizThe Pains of Planning for Maternity LeaveSend us a textLet’s face it, being pregnant is a uniquely female experience. As much as they say it’s a journey for both in the relationship, there’s only one who is lugging around the extra pounds and the little bundle of joy for 40 weeks, trying to keep her body from completely breaking down on her. For this episode I will talk less about the pregnancy pains, and more about the process of preparing for maternity leave as a small business owner - and all the joys, frustrations, and challenges that come with it.
2021-06-0724 min
Women and the Drinks BizSmall Business Grow or Die Decisions: MergingSend us a textIn the small business world you have to grow to survive. It’s the grow or die mentality. And it’s rough. Usually you go through the usual networks of sales and distribution, playing every angle to see what works. Sometimes you try new things to bring in additional dollars. And sometimes you have to look at the larger picture, think outside the box, and make big decisions for your company. That is our experience with South City Ciderworks at least and I want to share that journey and the happy news that it h...
2021-05-2430 min
Women and the Drinks BizRedwood Coast Cider: Naturally Fermented Cider with a Biker Flare with ChristinaSend us a textBesides South City Ciderworks there is but one other cider company in San Mateo County and that is Redwood Coast Cider. They specialize in super dry ciders and experiment with interesting yeast strains and varied fermentation processes. Same county, two very different cider models. I catch up with one of their owners to hear more about their cider vision and how they have survived this difficult year. Redwood Coast CiderIt’s this non-sparkling, Old World style that’s difficult to find in the Bay Area and what...
2021-05-101h 06
Women and the Drinks BizCOVID Continues for this Small Cider BusinessSend us a textSo here we are, not a month later, not 6 months later, but a whole year later from when the Bay Area went into shelter in place in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are still standing, still slinging cider, and looking forward to some big things to come in the next few months. Here’s a look at what things are like a year later.How are you fairing during COVID? Still surviving? Have you had any major successes or found a new revenue stream that will work for you even af...
2021-04-2634 min
Robby's WorldJenn Root Martell, South City Cider Co-FounderRobby talks to Jenn Root Martell about her cider company, South City Cider.
2021-04-1928 min
Women and the Drinks BizSanta Cruz Cider: Building a Small Cidery on the Coast with Natalie and NicoleSend us a textWe’ve been talking about South City Ciderworks a lot lately so it’s high time we switch gears and bring in some new voices! Joining me today are the lovely ladies of Santa Cruz Cider Company, Natalie and Nicole. I have so many questions so we will talk about as many things as we can squeeze into an episode - production, taproom, their coastal community, their diverse industry experiences, and I’m sure apples will factor in somewhere. Santa Cruz Cider WebsiteIt all started with a pick...
2021-04-121h 06
Women and the Drinks BizBuilding a Cidery Part 2: The Build OutSend us a textHello!!Welcome to Courage and Other C Words! I’m your host, Jenn Root Martell and I have Alex with me again to finish out this second part of the cidery build out conversation! However, getting a space is only half the battle in getting up and running as a business as you can imagine. Though it does feel like a lot of money goes out the door up front, sometimes spending wisely at the beginning will save you a ton of headache later on. Take it from us.
2021-04-0555 min
Women and the Drinks BizBuilding a Cidery Part 1: The SearchSend us a textHaving a hell of a time finding the perfect home for your business?? You are not alone! It took us almost a year and so many visits just to find a space for the cidery that was acceptable. Not quite the journey we expected but that’s how it rolled out. For this episode I’ll go into more detail of what we were looking for and what we came up with in the end. I’ll even bring Alex in to have him share some of his thoughts on this journey.Ar...
2021-03-1446 min
Women and the Drinks BizExpectingSend us a textI am joined once again by my production manager, Alisha Blue. The two of us are both going through a unique experience as we are both expecting little ones this year. Join us as we walk through the three trimesters of pregnancy and how we have kept things going doing production and running a company. This process has forced us to change and adapt and look at the world a little differently. It’s been a lot to take in but it can be done!Are you a working mother or ar...
2021-03-0147 min
Women and the Drinks BizCider Batch #1 CatastropheSend us a textFor this episode I’d like to jump into a production story that has stuck with all of us after almost 6 years in business. That is the story of our first batch ever, where pretty much everything that could go wrong, did go wrong, how we dealt with it and the magic that came out of it. It just shows that even on the worst of days, you can always find a way though.Have you started a project or a business and have a funny story of when everything went wr...
2021-02-1527 min
Women and the Drinks BizOriginal Pattern Brewing: Slaying Beer Sales with VirginiaSend us a textFor this episode, we’re still talking sales but we’re switching it up a bit! To help me with that is Virginia Vaughn who for several years has been a Bay Area sales rep for Original Pattern Brewing Company located on Oakland. I pick her brain about the beer world and how she manages the challenges and celebrates the successes of sales. Follow Virginia to hear more about her life as a beer slinger and all the yummy beers she sells! @thebeervaughnFor more about Original Patter...
2021-02-0253 min
Women and the Drinks BizCutthroat Competition in Cider SalesSend us a textSales series continues! This time I dive into showcasing the cider community as a whole. It is one divided by core beliefs in what makes a proper cider. And stemming from this cultural schism, bad behavior by some of those in our community keeps us divided at the state and local level. While most of us are boots on the ground, making relationships, and building the category in a positive way, while also staying friends and colleagues, others are doing the opposite.Do you have any questions about cider...
2021-01-1931 min
Women and the Drinks BizBlindwood Cider: Slinging Cider in the SF Bay with CathySend us a textI continue my journey on the sales beat - sharing lessons learned, successes, and failures, the female experience. You know, all the things! Joining me to add her perspective is Cathy Gabel of Blindwood Cider Company who, along with her husband and sister-in-law have bootstrapped a small hard cider company across the Bay in San Leandro and are making great ciders from locally and regionally sourced apples. Blindwood WebsiteMeet Drew, Cathy, and Erin! Their cidery had its humble beginnings in Drew’s cramped garage in Hayward, CA. He has...
2021-01-0459 min
Women and the Drinks BizFinding My Inner SalespersonSend us a textFor this episode I venture back through the years to relive the lessons I have learned slinging cider in the Bay Area and trying to build a cider brand from scratch in a market I knew nothing about. It’s been a rough journey but all the cider you sell along the way and the relationships you build makes all the pain worth it. Most days...Are you still on the sales beat even during these trying times? Have some great stories from your time doing sales? Is there anything you’ve s...
2020-12-2131 min
Women and the Drinks BizCompare and Contrast: Cider v BeerSend us a textIn this slightly longer episode I try my hand at my first interview with our wonderful production manager, Alisha Blue, who joined South City Ciderworks last year. She will share how she got into beer in the first place, help me break down the similarities and differences between beer and cider, and share her experiences being a woman in the brewery.Are you a woman looking to start a beverage company? Maybe want to dabble in different categories? If any of this rings true with you, email me at jenn...
2020-12-0750 min
Women and the Drinks BizCreating a Cider Business PlanSend us a textFor this episode I jump into the details of the market research we had to do before starting the business AND walk through how we answered all of those business plan questions in order to build the foundation for our cider company.So do you have any concerns as you’re building out your business plan? Any crazy business ideas you’d love to get off the ground? Send me your story at jenn@drinksbizwomen.com. I’d love to hear about it! Thank you to Tony...
2020-11-2330 min
Women and the Drinks BizOur Cider Origin StorySend us a textNow on to the beginning of our start-up story. I jump into the details of why we wanted to make cider in the first place, why we decided to build it into a business, and why we chose to call our company South City Ciderworks. I go into a little detail about myself and my background and then share our Cider Origin Story that started it all. Sometimes it really does come down to an AH-ha moment to get you started on the journey. Don’t ignore it! So are you a...
2020-11-0219 min
Women and the Drinks BizThe Impacts of COVID on a Small Cidery in the SF BaySend us a textWhat a crazy year it has been! As small business owners, we’re feeling the impacts of this global health crisis on several fronts, BUT we’re hanging in there. Join me as I share how COVID-19 has affected both the alcohol market and our cider company AND how we’re keeping the cider flowing during these trying times.I feel like this will be an incredible outlet for me to share those difficult moments, and also the successes that we have along the way. Maybe I’m looking for solace in the s...
2020-10-2124 min
Women and the Drinks BizCourage and Other C Words Intro!Send us a textOK! It’s time for some REAL TALK. I’ve been in the alcohol business for more than five years now and there’s something that everyone knows and not many talk about. That there are NOT ENOUGH women owning businesses, running them, or generally working in this industry. And being in this industry is FUCKING HARD. Hi, I’m Jenn. And along with my husband Alex (Hello!) I run a small hard cider company just south of San Francisco. We have an amazing team and throughout our time in business have met...
2020-09-2802 min
DeclareThe Four Critical Areas to Focus Your Energy :: Jeni B of Biz Mavens {EP 97}
Can we share your review on the show? Leave one here!
MEET JENI:
Jeni is a marketing strategist and business coach for smart women who want to build a strong, profitable business that transforms the lives of their followers. Step by step, she shows them how to leverage connections with readers to develop services, transformational courses, and membership sites—without having to work long hours or make huge sacrifices. She also believes that with the right systems and strategies, you can have greater impact, make a living doing the work you love, and also live an intentional, em...
2019-03-1253 min
The Declare PodcastThe Four Critical Areas to Focus Your Energy :: Jeni B of Biz Mavens Can we share your review on the show? Leave one here! MEET JENI: Jeni is a marketing strategist and business coach for smart women who want to build a strong, profitable business that transforms the lives of their followers. Step by step, she shows them how to leverage connections with readers to develop services, transformational courses, and membership sites—without having to work long hours or make huge sacrifices. She believes that with the right systems and strategies, you can have greater impact, make a living doing the work you love, and also live an in...
2019-03-1253 min