Today we’d like to introduce you to Miranda Knerr.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Miranda. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
In 2010 Jonathan, Elissa and Randall started Deep South Barrels with a very small investment and a big dream. They rented a small warehouse connected with a storage unit and found our first cooper and began placing an order. In the beginning it took a while to get started. Our first festival was a 9/11 Remembrance Day festival that was very tiny, but it got our foot out there! We then went on and participated in the Katy Wine Walk, and then the Fort Bend County Fair and a few other shows around town. Upon the advice of another vendor, we applied to the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, even though we heard it would take at least 7 years of applying to get in.
A miracle happened, 3 weeks prior to the HLSR the offered us a space. Due to their requirements of western decor and an 8 foot back wall after a few hours debating we built the booth that we now carry all across the country at our shows. It was a long show, and it was the first time any of us had done something like this so by the time it was over we were excited, happy and exhausted. Due to the advice of yet another vendor we took a gamble and applied to the San Diego County Fair in California and we got in! From there, our shows have only grown and expanded, we now participate in shows in California, Nevada, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, Washington, New York, Massachusetts, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Arizona, and all over Texas.
Just before the HLSR we decided that laser engraving images on the barrels would be better than blank barrels or using vinyl stickers to label them so we found a local business man and began having him engrave on the barrels. We started with simple things like whiskey, rum, tequila, bourbon and slowly grew this into a more expansive catalog as customers requested new and exciting things. Later that summer, we purchased our first laser machine and now do the engravings in house. We now have an extensive template catalog and many more offerings on our website.
In 2012, we decided to change up our website, and we found a company that allows for customizing right through the website including thousands of template designs to choose from and this made us stand out from the small crowd of barrel suppliers. A complete design tool that allowed you to see how the design lays out on the barrel.
In 2015, Jonathan and Elissa were starting their family and decided they needed to focus on a new venture that would allow them to stay closer to home and not travel so they offered to let Randall buy him out. We closed on that deal on May 25, 2016.
Over the last 7 years we have grown from that small storage unit to 3 different warehouse spaces each one larger than the last. HLSR will always hold a special place in our heart as they opened the door to so many other opportunities.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There are struggles with every business, and we are not immune. We discovered that April and May are almost dead months for fairs and festivals. In 2016 we were served with a lawsuit by a competitor, that has been a large long struggle that we are still fighting today.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Deep South Barrels – what should we know?
We offer the most unique experience in drinking; by aging your own whiskey, bourbon, scotch, rum, tequila, wine and more at home you control the taste and quality of your alcohol. The smaller the barrel the faster the aging, you can take a low end spirit to a high end spirit in a matter of weeks in a mini oak barrel.
We even offer a Kounterfit process to make your favorite brands at home that is completely legal! Starting with a neutral grain and adding our special essence you can make Crown Royal, Maker’s, Jameson and more. On top of that we offer a variety of barrel inspired products and accessories.
We pride ourselves on our customer service striving to have the best in the industry.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
The fact that we offer custom options without additional fees, the fact that we stand behind our product and offer a 2 year warranty on our products.
Contact Info:
- Address: 2849 Miller Ranch Rd., Ste 533
Pearland, TX 77584 - Website: www.deepsouthbarrels.com
- Phone: 713-436-3448
- Email: customerservice@deepsouthbarrels.com
- Instagram: deepsouthbarrels
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/DeepSouthBarrels
- Twitter: DSBTweets
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/deep-south-barrels-pearland-2
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