How a Start-Up Distillery Secured a Deal with a Large Chain Store and Graduated from LibDib to RNDC
LibDib Maker: MICO Tequila
Location: Los Angeles, California
LibDib Markets: Texas
LibDib Brand Page: LibDib.com/brand/micotequila1
MICO Tequila is a craft line that was launched in 2019 by Subir Singh and his father, Ajendra Singh. Ajendra was a former Patron executive who really knew artisan tequila and how to navigate the supply chain.
In the beginning, MICO approached several large distributors. They had conversations with a few, including LibDib’s partner RNDC. RNDC told the MICO team that in order to secure distribution they would need a proven track record (i.e. sales) and introduced MICO to LibDib.
Recently MICO graduated to distribution with RNDC.
“The MICO graduation story is the epitome of our LibDib mission,” said Cheryl Durzy, Founder and CEO of LibDib. “It’s the reason we chose RNDC as our key partner. Every brand deserves a chance to enter the market and prove themselves.”
A Colorado Distillery Stops Self-Dibbing, Starts LibDibbing and Grows Into a National Brand
LibDib Maker: Distillery 291
Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado
LibDib Markets: All of them!
LibDib Brand Page: libdib.com/brands/291coloradowhiskey
Distillery 291 is an award-winning, small-batch whiskey distillery nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the distillery sits in the shadow of Pikes Peak where CEO and founding distiller, Michael Myers, a former New York City fashion and beauty photographer, took his love of whiskey and his passion for the old west, and started a distillery. In doing so he aimed to replicate the taste, smell and folklore of that time, through a one-of-a-kind, bold and beautiful Colorado Whiskey.
In 2011, Myers pulled his first whiskey off the still and began self-distributing his product in Colorado. With a reputation for award-winning whiskey, he and his small team incrementally built their distinctive brand by working the local market and building relationships with Colorado buyers. They grew their business and expanded throughout the state. They hired a sales team and expanded to other states, like California.
“We find passionate people who are dedicated to the brand and want to share our story. LibDib lets us do just that. Our reps build relationships with buyers, easily send order requests to LibDib, then use the LibDib platform to stay in communication with accounts. From the beginning, LibDib enabled a really easy transition for our team and our accounts.”
How an Emerging Craft Spirits Company Found Huge Success on LibDib
LibDib Maker: Phenomenal Spirits
Location: California
LibDib Markets: California, New York, Illinois
LibDib Brand Pages: Libdib.com/brand/ronizalco // Libdib.com/brand/ry3whiskey
In March 2020 the world launched into a global pandemic. That same month, emerging craft spirits company, Phenomenal Spirits, entered the U.S. market with their small-production Ron Izalco Rum and RY3 Whiskey.
Over the past 15 months the spirits brand has found huge success, expanding distribution to 15 states and selling barrel after barrel of their small-batch products.
What’s been one key to their success? Working with LibDib.
“LibDib can move at a rapid pace,” says Phenomenal Spirits founder Karthik Sudhir. “I’m here to tell craft brands that there’s a way to secure distribution with a limited budget and test out your brand positioning, pricing strategy, and marketing campaigns, as well as fine tune your strategy before pitching your brand to the big five distribution companies. LibDib gave us a platform and within a couple of weeks we launched in California.”
How a Start-Up Distillery Brought in $180k in Sales in Just Over 2 Months (during COVID)
LibDib Maker: Kozuba & Sons Distillery
Location: St Petersburg, Florida
LibDib Markets: California, Florida, Illinois
LibDib Brand Page: LibDib.com/brands/kozubaandsonsdistilleryinc
Kozuba & Sons Distillery in St Petersburg, FL, started selling their revamped product line of vodka, whiskey and cordials to buyers in California and Florida on June 6, 2020. In just a little over two months, this family-owned distillery has sold $180,000 in products and secured almost 80 new accounts. They are now in the process of presenting to major chain stores and have goals to reach the $400,000 sales mark. In most times, this type of expansive growth is unheard of in the craft spirits world–but during COVID, it’s almost impossible. Or is it?
James Williams of Edge Beverage Consulting says that the secret sauce to Kozuba’s success is “a combination of Kozuba’s willingness to take honest and open feedback about pricing, product development, and sales strategies–as well as the ease of working with LibDib.”
Distiller Finds Major Success Through LibDib’s Club & Online Retail Relationships
LibDib Maker: Penelope Bourbon
Location: New Jersey
LibDib Markets: California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois
LibDib Brand Page: Libdib.com/brands/penelopebourbon
LibDib’s Club program was created to help Makers gain access to programs where Buyers purchase in bulk and ship to consumers. This can be great marketing for new products.
An example is Penelope Bourbon, a New Jersey based start-up distillery that launched in March 2019 and was started by Mike and Kerry Paladini, and Mike’s close friend and childhood next door neighbor, Danny Polise. Mike and Danny grew up in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, and the two bourbon lovers began creating a product that everyone could enjoy and love.
“A careful combination of whiskey clubs and retail relationships has given us an incredible path to national distribution without being nationally distributed,” says Mike Paladini. “Our partnership with LibDib has allowed us to build amazing relationships with key online players. We have been able to capitalize on these partnerships to grow our small brand into something much larger.”
How a Small Napa Winery Found Distribution Success
LibDib Maker: Hersly Wines
Location: Napa, CA
LibDib Markets: California, New York
LibDib Brand Page: Libdib.com/brands/herslywines
Given increased distributor challenges, in mid-2018 Hersly needed to look at other options to continue visibility and grow their brand in current and new markets.
In August 2018 they were introduced to LibDib by a current customer account and signed up online for wholesale distribution in New York. Sixty days later, a high-end steakhouse received their first case through LibDib. Immediately, they loved the control they had over their brand with the LibDib platform. The Herslys appreciated that they could continue to own their direct relationships with accounts and that they could further build their account list utilizing LibDib as the distributor.
“We literally would not have the business we have today without LibDib. We possibly could have gone out of business, but definitely would not have been able to grow. Distribution is our lifeline to new customers and LibDib has been our saving grace.”
-Adam & Stacy Hersley, Hersly Wines, Napa
A Start-Up Distillery Uses Distribution to Drive Growth
Distillery: Dented Brick Distillery
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Production: 15,000 cases annually
LibDib Markets: California, Colorado, Florida
LibDib Brand Page: Libdib.com/brands/dentedbrickdistillery
Dented Brick is a small distillery focused on growth. They have doubled their production year after year and continue to grow at an incredibly rapid pace, with plans to get from 15,000 annual cases to 70,000 in the near future.
Distribution is Dented Brick’s second most important priority after raising capital.
Big distributors wouldn’t talk to them. When they finally started to secure distributors they were billed for work that wasn’t being done.
“LibDib is a totally different platform and they offer distribution access in a very good way. LibDib can really shake up this industry, especially as more consumers seek true craft brands.” said Marc. “It’s an easy buying process for accounts. They can just go and buy online. That immediate access is a game changer.”