14 Truths of Owning a Business in the Spirits Industry

A couple of months ago, I went to a hair appointment in the middle of the day for the first time in what felt like forever. It had been at least half a year since I took the time for a haircut. As I glanced into a storefront near the salon, I saw a sweatshirt with “INSPIRED BUT TIRED” on the front.

“Yep. YEP,” I thought to myself. It’s hard for me to admit but my sentiment was summarized on a $70 sweatshirt. I’m really tired. But I AM SO EXCITED for what’s to come and energized by this industry daily. I may not own a distillery (I hate cleaning and math), but I certainly have gone through all of the ups and downs of owning a business in this industry.

Here are some of the truths of owning a creative agency in the distilling industry:

• “Why can’t I write this off?” will forever be my #1 question.
• Leftover coffee in the pot can double as “cold brew” when you add ice.
• “Just checking in on that invoice…”
• The client submits label to TTB. First response: “This copy is deceiving.” Change nothing on the label and send back. “Approved.”
• “Happy hour” sometimes lasts for 5+ hours.
• Lawyers are excellent resources for understanding alcohol laws by state…for the same cost as a barrel of whiskey.
• People make the “research” joke about our drinking on the job being RESEARCH. I’m not researching anything except: GOUT.
• Weekly emails from the depths of the internet: “I’d love to see if there is a way we can collaborate at some point!”
• Federal Excise Tax (FET) is on my mind daily, too.
• VACATION is plowing through work on a Saturday because there are fewer meetings and emails.
• Deep down inside my shoe, my sock is always sliding off my foot.
• Deadlines sometimes mean trying gin at 8 AM.
• Thinking with my eyes shut is the new sleeping.

If you’re wondering, I won’t be buying that sweater in the shop next to the salon. I prefer my “Hire Me. Fire Me. Whatever” shirt from my days of freelancing.

Image via Valfre