SUMMARY
In this episode of Behind the Brand, hosts Taylor and Isabella sit down with Calen Kirkland, Sales Director of The Barrel Mill, a renowned family-owned cooperage in Avon, Minnesota. Known for its high-quality oak barrels, The Barrel Mill has partnered with Moxie to refresh its brand and overhaul its website. Calen shares insights on how the rebrand has modernized this heritage brand while maintaining its artisanal craftsmanship. The discussion also covers The Barrel Mill’s innovative products like the Infusion Spiral, which offers rapid aging techniques for spirits, and the company’s expansion into new markets. Calen talks about his experience in the industry, the challenges of merging tradition with innovation, and provides advice for other businesses looking to step out of their comfort zones. Tune in to learn how this historic company is growing its reputation both locally and globally.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction
00:33 Meet the Hosts
01:06 Introducing Calen Kirkland
02:20 Calen’s Background
05:09 What The Barrel Mill Does
06:01 Inside the Barrel-Making Process
08:34 Early Challenges and Growth
09:35 Building the Sales Team
11:30 The Story of Infusion Spirals
14:20 New Species and Product Innovation
17:00 Launching E-Commerce
17:57 Exploring New Markets
19:59 Lessons From a Heritage Brand
21:04 Where to Learn More
TAKEAWAYS
Moxie Creative, based in St. Cloud, Minnesota, is a full-service creative agency specializing in branding, web design, and both traditional and digital marketing.
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