Looking for a Happy Hour? You’ve come to right right place! Time for a @MNMOMag Twitterview w/ Kieran Folliard of @2GingersWhiskey.
So Kieran, how long have you been working and living in Minnesota?
Kieran: Hi Joel, thanks for having me! I arrived in MN on April 16, 1987.
You are clearly VERY entrepreneurial, have you always been that way, and how did you develop that skill?
Kieran: No I’m not!
Only joking! I started growing and selling carrots at twelve years of age – I suppose that was the start
It’s been all downhill since then!
I don’t think that’s true! You’ve helped many too. :) What made you get into the restaurant biz to start off with?
Kieran: It was the only way to spend more time in a pub and not have a real job! That was after 17 yrs in corporate world.
Twitter is not for Irish guys – I can’t be so succinct!
@2GingersWhiskey You’re doing good! While you were building a restaurant empire, how did the idea of a new whiskey come to you?
Kieran: Mostly from drinking whiskey! I never had a good idea over a cup of coffee.
I like starting businesses. We sold a lot of whiskey at my former pubs – my instinct told me there was an opportunity
Sure. How long then was the process from idea to getting the first bottle? How long until you knew it was a hit?
Kieran: The process really started when I trademarked the Big Ginger in 2007, and success is all relative – TBD
True. When then did you decide to get out of the restaurant biz and focus solely on whiskey distribution?
Kieran: 2 months after launching 2 GINGERS in the Cara pubs (3-16-2011) I saw people loved it and decided to take the plunge
I sold my shares of the pubs internally to the other owners, and went on my merry way in early July 2011
A NEW adventure for you! How has distribution been going for you in MN and around the country?
Kieran: Currently 2 GINGERS is available exclusively in our home state of MN, and we’re approaching 1700 accounts
Distribution is strong. Our accts are split evenly between liquor stores and bars/restaurants. We’ve had great support
I know that you LOVE to tell stories. Any stories that you can share about signing a bottle at a “launch” party?
Kieran: There are lots of good ones, and lots of people out there. My favorite was at @ZippsLiquor – a lady bought a bottle…
and wanted me to sign it for her boyfriend. After I started writing his name she said “OH NO!” and gave a dif. name!
I ended up giving her both bottles!
LOL! I knew that you’d have a good one share! So what’s the plan for the next year or so?
Kieran: Goal for the next year: to sell a load of whiskey!
Looking to expand our distribution in MN, build a strong brand, and introduce whiskey to a broader market
Joel: That’s great! Thanks for your time today Kieran. All the best to you and your thriving business!
Kieran: Thanks Joel and @MNMOmag for having me and for tippling 2 GINGERS!