retail? It all helps to improve the economy of BC. We’re pushing and hoping that the government will see it our way and agree with us and allow us a more graduated system based on how much we end up producing year over year. Working with them has really worked in our favour, though, in the early years. Our growth has been pretty steady year- over- year. Our Sid’s Handcrafted Vodka, Nutrl Vodka and Tempo Gin are widely distributed and available in most BC government liquor stores. We’ve even been able to expand into other provinces in Canada. We’re selling in Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, and we’ve sold G&W in the Atlantic Provinces. We’re represented in BC we’re in three channels. We have our government liquor board channel, our private LRS channel – private liquor stores and retailers – and then we have on-premises channels in restaurants, cafes, and really any provincially-licensed place selling cocktails to consum- ers. We’re well-represented in all three channels. People are very attracted to BC products and especially well-priced BC products like ours. So many craft brewers and wine makers in the province have really paved the way for us so the enthusiasm is already there. It’s an exciting time. It’s a time of growth and I sometimes like to describe it as the awkward teenage years. Battling with issues in the industry and our own growth are very exciting challenges to have. The response we’re getting from everyone at the provincial level is a resounding “Wow, we love what you guys are doing – keep doing it.” You seem to have a remarkably diplomatic spirit for a citizen and small business representative considering all the red tape and bureaucracy, Adam. AM: Well, we’re very passionate about what we do and we wear it on our sleeve – but you have to be practical. I can honestly say that all levels of government we talk to are understanding of our plight and we understand that change can take time – especially during election years. Well, your argument includes the fact that Canadian spirits represent so much to so many people around the world besides quality. For many Americans, for instance, they represent prohibition and rum-running and a connection to their past. Why do you think the global market has recently shown even more interest in truly Canadian spirits? AM: It stems from a couple of things, really. I think, as you say, that Canadian spirits have always been well-respected. But when most people think Canadian spirits, they auto- matically think of the best rye whiskeys. I have a lot of family in the US and overseas and they think we only make Crown Royal and CC here. These are giant global brands that are exceptionally well-respected and I think we’re likely to see a real upswing in craft ryes coming out of this country in the It’s very encouraging.
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OCTOBER 2017 • SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE
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