Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Brian Miller, founder and president of Seir Hill, located in Wilton, CT, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Seir Hill makes a line of revolutionary non-alcoholic spirits. Seir Hill is a revolution in spirits because only Seir Hill spirits can deliver all of the authentic flavors and feel of whiskey, tequila, and rum in your favorite mixed cocktails – without the alcohol or sugar.
Nowadays, so many people choose not to drink because of the alcohol and/or the sugar. They’re making that second or third drink something that’s NA, maybe laying off for a whole night or a whole week, or even for life. And that number is growing fast. These people are fed up with the boring and sugary alternatives to real drinks – they crave that delicious, authentic cocktail experience!
Tell us about yourself
It all started when I gave up alcohol as part of a healthier lifestyle. After I gave up the booze, I discovered that I had not lost my desire for fine spirits in classic, delicious cocktails — and I was not alone. I tried other non-alcoholic spirits, but none of them hit the mark. Not one of them made a credible version of my favorite cocktail, a classic Old Fashioned. I was disappointed and ready to do something about it. My mission would be to revolutionize non-alcoholic spirits to create truly delicious tasting, mainstay cocktails for America to enjoy.
I was determined that my new brand celebrate my hometown and its history. So, I founded Seir Hill in a converted barn built in 1744, located in Wilton, CT. Seir Hill itself is a centuries-old farm, and my father, Lester Miller, was a farmer in Connecticut dating back to the 1940s. Every bottle we sell contributes to the American Farmland Trust as our way of saying thank you to America’s farmers and to my dad. We’re proud to be made in the U.S.A.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment has been to overcome the supply-chain issues that plagued the business for most of 2021. The fact that we're still in business and delivering products to our customers is in itself an accomplishment.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The biggest challenge I have is wearing all the hats in the business — from marketing and product development to sales and searching for capital; I do it all. Luckily I have a number of valued and trusted partners to help me, but at the end of the day, the decisions I make affect the direction of the business.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Do what you love. There are many days when being a business owner totally sucks. And it helps to have at least a passion for the product you're creating.
- Start local. There's a bigger audience in your location than you realize. One of my biggest mistakes was trying to go national too early.
- Be patient. The dream of selling a business in 2 years isn't realistic. Businesses build slowly, and you have to be patient with the process.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://seirhill.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seirhill/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seirhill/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/seirhill
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianmillerdesign/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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