Today we’d like to introduce you to Kweillin Gordon, Sheldon Johns-Harris, James Roach and Che Bailey.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
After years of working in corporate America, we were looking for something that was more fulfilling to do for our life and career. We realized that entrepreneurship was the best avenue to provide financial freedom and a legacy for our families and communities. This journey of introspection brought us to the liquor industry. We noticed that African Americans were major consumers in the industry but were underrepresented as suppliers and owners. We felt that we could and should participate in this industry and trusted that our combination of passion, business acumen and the support of our audience would help us become successful.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It’s expected to have some challenges when you start a new venture but we’ve been tested on many fronts. We’ve ran across obstacles in product creation, production and distribution. Through all of the challenges, we’ve remained confident that we can out think and outwork any obstacle that came our way. We encountered. Our patience and persistence are the key reasons that we are here today.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Greenwood Whiskey story. Tell us more about the business.
Greenwood Whiskey is a premium African American owned rye whiskey brand that symbolizes a celebration of community, success, entrepreneurship, and excellence. These attributes were pillars of the Historic Greenwood District neighborhood in Tulsa, Oklahoma – also known as “Black Wall Street,” that have inspired us to strive for greatness. By 1921 the community of Greenwood was home to 600 African American-owned businesses, the largest concentration in the US during a time when African Americans didn’t have many rights or resources. Our brand is a celebration of “Black Wall Street” and the visionary entrepreneurs that came before us.
We hope to continue to inspire others by donating a portion of the proceeds from our sales to nonprofit organizations that provide resources for underserved youth. We are proud of the quality product that we’ve presented to the market but most proud of the massive support that we’ve received.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I don’t believe in the traditional concept of luck. I define luck as when preparation meets opportunity. Good luck is a byproduct of hard work, consistent preparation and the courage to aggressively attack opportunities when presented.
Contact Info:
- Website: greenwoodwhiskey.com
- Email: info@greenwoodwhiskey.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/greenwoodwhiskey.com
- Facebook: facebook.com/greenwoodwhiskey.com
Image Credit:
Robert Randal
@rrandalphotos
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