Amani Macaulay and Chima Burey, Co-Founders of Duke & Dame, discuss leaving the world of finance to create a Black-owned salted caramel flavored whiskey. Topics include creating a natural and balanced whiskey, unique flavors of Duke & Dame, bootstrapping their business, obtaining validation from the market, and challenges in finding a distiller for their whiskey brand.
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Quick takeaways
The co-founders of Duke and Dame left their finance careers to create a Black-owned, award-winning salted caramel flavored whiskey.
Duke and Dame faced challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic but adapted by focusing on digital marketing and leveraging their network to reach consumers.
Deep dives
Founding Duke and Dame Whiskey
The co-founders of Duke and Dame, Amani McCauley and Chima Burey, discussed their journey of founding the award-winning salted caramel-flavored whiskey. Both coming from finance backgrounds, they decided to pursue their shared passion for whiskey and travel by creating their own spirit. The idea came to fruition after a conversation about creating a whiskey reminiscent of a Werther's Original candy. They conducted extensive research, formulated their recipe, and received positive feedback from friends and family. This led them to launch Duke and Dame, which has since won several awards and garnered recognition in the industry.
Navigating Challenges and Growth
The founders of Duke and Dame talked about the challenges they faced and the strategies they employed for the growth and success of their business. They bootstrapped their venture, starting with their own funds and proving the concept of their product before seeking additional funding. The COVID-19 pandemic posed difficulties, as their experiential marketing opportunities were limited. However, they adapted by focusing on digital marketing and leveraging their network to reach consumers. They also emphasized the importance of awards and validation in gaining trust from retailers and customers. They are now ready to invest in the next stage of growth and expand their team to further scale their business.
Crafting a Unique Whiskey and Future Plans
Duke and Dame takes pride in its unique flavored whiskey recipe, prioritizing natural ingredients and a balanced taste profile. They wanted to create a whiskey that had a caramel flavor without being overly sweet and artificial. The founders aimed to ensure that their whiskey could be enjoyed neat or in cocktails, and it received positive feedback for its smoothness and distinct flavor. As they continue to expand their distribution and increase brand recognition, they are also exploring portfolio and brand extensions to innovate and further capture the market's attention.
Amani Macaulay and Chima Burey, Co-Founders of Duke & Dame, discuss leaving the world of finance to create a Black-owned salted caramel flavored whiskey. Hosts: Carol Massar and Matt Miller. Producer: Paul Brennan.