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Welcome to Future Sharks Gail! Tell us a little about yourself:
I came to Marin County in 1975 and since then I have worked as a line cook, sous chef, chef, carpenter & sidewall shingler. In 2002 I bought a little produce stand worked produce for a dozen years called “Shorty’s Golden Point Produce.” Now at the age when most people retire I’ve decided to build a distillery and make some booze. “Never lose your hustle.”
City where you’re from: When I think of home it’s St Louis, Missouri even though we moved around a lot as kids. St. Louis was where I went to high school and where my parents lived until they passed away. I’ve lived in California since 1975 but Missouri is home.
Hobbies: I’m a flea market junkie, I love to collect, mostly stuff from the 30’s and 40’s they really made things to last with beautiful design and color, I’ve always been drawn to that era of design.
Favorite quote: Noel Coward once said “ A perfect martini should be made by filling a glass with Gin and waving it in the general direction of Italy.”
Twitter: not on Twitter ! (I know, maybe someday)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gail.coppinger
Background
Why did you decide to become an entrepreneur?
I’ve always been one, I’ve owned 3 companies and I’ve worked for myself since I was in my early 30’s. I hate having a boss and I’m not a great employee, solution? Start something!
Was there a defining moment in your life?
I’ve always been influenced by women that blaze the trail, that are first in their field, when i was cooking in kitchens in the early 70’s there were no women in the restaurant kitchen, only guys. I met this chef named Annie Stoner she was probably 40 which seemed so old to me, I was 19, i got a job in her kitchen at a high end supper club in Wyoming and she taught me timing, and how to move on the line, and most importantly she taught me to kick ass in a man’s world by fitting in not with disruption. That moment, that time with Annie was when i knew i could do anything.
Now
What are you working on? How did you come up with this idea?
My business partner Scott Woodson and i are building a craft distillery in Santa Rosa, Ca . We’ve been working on it for about 4 years and we are almost in production, maybe 4 more months. It’s exciting and terrifying at the same time.
How is your product/service different and unique? What’s the vision?
Our distillates, Botanical Gin, Vodka and Single Malt Whiskey will all be made with local grains and using all equipment made in the USA. We farm out in Point Reyes and the climate is very similar to the coast of Scotland, in other words, the grain we grow makes really really good whiskey. Our vision is to make the best product with the purest ingredients.
Who are your customers? How do you find them?
Our customers are everywhere and from all demographics, anyone over the age of 21 who enjoys a cocktail after a hard day or a celebratory drink, that’s our customer.
Did you experience failure along the way? What did you learn from it?
You can’t succeed if you don’t try and of course sometimes you fail and sometimes things get crazy and you think the train is going off the tracks but you must keep going and learn from failure. You’re guaranteed to not succeed if you don’t try, that’s what I’ve learned .
Value-add questions
Give the readers the best entrepreneurship advice you have. Don’t be afraid, you will be able to pay the rent, just keep plugging away! Trust yourself .
Teach us something about {internet marketing, social media ads, fundraising, sales funnels or another topic} Can you recommend any favorite websites to learn that topic?
Not my area of expertise although I have learned about fundraising in the last 2 years and what i’ve learned is that if you believe in something with all your heart, people will believe in you and invest in your idea.
What should an entrepreneur focus on?
Write a good business plan, it will teach you so much about yourself and the business you want to start. If you’re having difficulty with getting started go online and research how to write one, there are sites that help you achieve this. Writing a plan will help you focus on what you want to achieve and the reality of achieving success with your idea. Don’t forget to have fun! It’s invigorating to start something new and to be your own boss!
What are some of your favorite books?
I read a lot. I loved “All the light we cannot see” by Anthony Doerr , “Between the World and Me” by Ta-Nehisi Coates , “Rancher, Farmer, Fisherman” by Miriam Horn , “Kitchen Confidential “ by Anthony Bourdain , “The Ploughman” by Kim Zupan… I could go on and on…
Where do you see yourself and your product in a couple years?
In a couple of years i see our products featured in many many bars, stores and restaurants in the Bay Area and beyond. Maybe even at AT&T park as a sponsor for Giants baseball. I do know one thin , we’re going to have a lot of fun with this!
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