#28 - Bridget Firtle (Owney’s Rum)

Bridget shares her remarkable journey of founding, building, and eventually selling Owney's Rum, a New York-based distillery.

 

From her early career at a hedge fund to identifying market opportunities in craft spirits, she leveraged her finance background to launch a successful rum brand. Bridget discusses the challenges of raising initial capital, running a lean operation, and handling media attention.

 

She also delves into the complexities of selling her business to Proximo Spirits, the emotional and operational transitions, and lessons learned. Now focused on her new venture, Rockaway Soda, Bridget reflects on balancing passion with strategic planning in the non-alcoholic beverage market. 

 

00:28 Welcome Bridget: A Queens Girl's Journey

01:03 From Finance to Rum: Bridget's Career Shift

02:40 Building Owney's Rum: The Early Days

03:34 Raising Funds and Making Sacrifices

04:59 The Hustle: Marketing and Distribution

14:57 The Decision to Sell: Weighing the Options

20:08 Navigating the Acquisition Process

22:55 The Highs and Lows of Selling a Business

23:52 Post-Sale Realizations and Challenges

27:55 The Entrepreneurial Spirit and Motivation

34:07 Launching Rockaway Soda

35:59 Lessons Learned and Future Plans

37:26 Final Thoughts and Reflections