Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Cy Cain, Co-Founder of Straightaway Cocktails, located in Portland, OR, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Straightaway Cocktails is a line of award-winning ready-to-drink (RTDs) and ready-to-serve bottled and canned cocktails made in Portland, Oregon. Our line of products is designed for the curious connoisseur all the way to the cocktail maven. Straightaway Cocktails is perfect for anyone looking to stock their at-home bar or those just getting started on their cocktail journey.
Tell us about yourself
I spent 11 years in the beverage industry, coffee and tea in particular, and that really set the tone for loving the idea of the endless permutations you can create with a beverage. I became a huge fan of cocktail culture about 15 years ago. In visiting the best cocktail bars in towns across America, I realized that highly-skilled bartenders are true artists. We love hosting at home, so I always made cocktails for gatherings. My buddy and now co-founder Casey Richwine was doing the same thing for his get-togethers with friends and family. Ten years ago, he got a cocktail book authored in the 1930s with a recipe for Lintik that changed our lives. Lintik, gin aged for two weeks over the lemon peel, zest, and bitters, is a cocktail that has to be batched first. That was a lightbulb moment for us to batch all the other cocktails we had been making for friends and family. We practiced our art and honed our skills and recipes for 5 years before launching our brand 4 years ago.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Building a brand that customers truly connect with and love, as well as building a world-class team committed to creating something extraordinary together.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
I think maintaining a steady hand in leading the brand is key. It takes a lot of practice and discipline to not get too high with the wins and not get too low with the losses. Keeping a steady eye on where we are heading, taking in and adjusting to new news, but not changing course entirely and chasing shiny object opportunities that present themselves along the way.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
My main tip is to ask a lot of questions before you start and be careful not to fall more in love with your product than your customer. Do your homework before you launch; what are the pitfalls of your category, how have brands been successful in your category, what is your reason to win with the consumer vs. other products in your category, and how will you capitalize on growth? Have you factored every last detail into your COGS, marketing, and distribution model to ensure your Gross Margin is healthy enough to scale a business?
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://straightawaycocktails.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/straightawaycocktails/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/straightawaycocktails/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/straightaway-cocktails/
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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