Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Bryan Clary, co-founder, and president of William Price Distilling Company, located in Houston, TX, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We are a new craft distillery that opened in the pandemic. We are founded on community which means that we have something for everyone: Whiskey, Vodka, Gin, Rum, Single Malt, Limoncello, and Coffee Liqueur. We even have a beer in the taproom. We emphasize the experience of having good drinks with great friends. This is embodied by our motto #RaisingTexanSpirits. Our target market is everyone who enjoys spirits responsibly!
Tell us about yourself
I started the distillery six years ago with my college roommate. We took several years to plan and fundraise, and we finally found a spot in Garden Oaks and signed a lease in November of 2019 with the goal of opening in the Fall of 2020. Well, all that changed with the pandemic, and we decided to pivot to making hand sanitizer in March of 2021 while we were waiting for construction to start. We got our permit, and eight days later, we were selling hand sanitizer. We hired all hospitality staff when they were losing their jobs at bars and restaurants and even launched a 501(c)(3) to give back money to bars to help them stay open. We finally launched our spirits in December of 2020 and opened our tasting room in March of 2021. What motivates us daily is to keep growing a company and a brand for which we can be proud. We love providing jobs to our local community and having a product out there named after our ancestors. We now are out into bars, restaurants, and liquor stores around Houston and a few locations in other major Texas cities with our Rye, Cask Strength Rye, Potato Vodka, and Coffee Liqueur. We are proud to offer something for everyone, and further have Rum, Gin, and limoncello at our distillery as well as limited release products there. We have also just added beer to our tasting room offerings.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Starting. We started in March 2020 donated/sold hand sanitizer for our first year before we even were starting construction on our building. We were able to help provide a product that was needed by our community and provide jobs to hospitality staff when bars were shutting down. We were able to get this started in 8 days of having permits.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Time management. You can spend every waking moment on your business because there is always something to be done. But if you do, you burn out. I have learned that I have to carve out some time for myself to turn off the phone, walk away, and recharge.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Balance. There is a time and place to work and a time and place to relax.
- But when you are working. It's all about the hustle. Work hard, because you are your own best advocate. No one represents your company better than you.
- Do not be afraid to ask for help. Running a business is like a family sometimes. You need the community to help you, whether it is friends or family. You have others out there who support you.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Whether it is with us or someone else, please remember to shop local and support local. We are in the community where you live and are your neighbors. Through these crazy times, we really and truly appreciate your business.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.williampricedistilling.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WilliamPriceDistilling
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/williampricedistilling/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryanclary/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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