What does your company do?

Copper Bottom is a craft distillery that produces award-winning rum and vodka in Daytona Beach.

What is your background and how did you get into the business?

I have a background in chemistry and biology, and my father (and business partner) has a background in the brewing industry. We always talked about opening a craft brewery together, but we determined that market was somewhat saturated and the distilling industry was up-and-coming. We saw incredible opportunity making craft spirits!

What sets your company apart from others?

There are two things that set us apart from other distilleries. The first is that we produce all of our spirits from start to finish in our distillery without buying-in bulk spirits. That’s rare for this industry. The second thing that sets us apart is that we do not add any sugars, flavors, or colors to our spirits. We rely heavily on barrel-aging for our unique and award-winning flavors. You can smell and taste the difference.

What is the biggest challenge your business faces?

Relying on distribution to sell our products outside of the distillery is our biggest challenge. This is an industry that will not allow us to make and sell directly to consumers or through retail, so we have to rely on a distributor to bring us to the market. It’s difficult to compete for shelf space against some of the biggest brands in the world.

 What do you enjoy most about your job? 

I enjoy creating unique and interesting products for consumers to enjoy. We swap barrels with other breweries, wineries, and distilleries to create our line of limited edition premium spirits. That’s why it’s great to be a craft distiller because we have the opportunity to try new things and innovate. 

What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs?

Be consistent and persistent! Develop a plan that includes not taking a paycheck right away and know that entrepreneurship requires more than a 40-hour workweek.