21. Bourbon & Business Success with Paul Twyford, Winter Park Distilling Co.

What does it really take to build something from nothing? In this episode, Betsy sits down with entrepreneur and craft distiller Paul Twyford, co-founder of Winter Park Distilling Company, to unpack the unglamorous, real-world path from door-to-door dry cleaning to award-winning bourbon.

Paul shares the cheat codes he wishes he had at 28: start with the problem, say yes more often, build relationships that outlast trends, and develop the grit to keep knocking after nine doors slam in your face. We also nerd out on bourbon basics, from Florida corn and mash bills to barrels, char levels, and why “what’s in the bottle” beats the marketing machine.

In this episode we talk about:

• Problem-first entrepreneurship and why convenience wins
• Rejection tolerance, resilience, and daily decision making
• Launching a pickup-and-delivery service with no money and lots of hustle
• The leap into craft spirits and navigating heavy regulation
• Vodka vs. bourbon vs. gin vs. tequila in today’s market
• Mash bills, Florida corn, char levels, and aging decisions that shape great bourbon
• Community as strategy and why giving first compounds over time
• How to show up as a peer in rooms that might underestimate you

Here are some Key Memorable takeaways:

• Start with the customer’s problem, not your resume
• Say yes early and often, then refine
• Relationships are the real ROI
• You do not need to be an expert to begin
• Quality in the bottle beats hype

If you are a builder, creator, or leader who wants the honest path to progress, this one will refill your grit tank.

TIME STAMPS:

• 00:00 – Intro & meet Paul Twyford
• 03:00 – First business: dry cleaning hustle
• 07:15 – Facing rejection & building grit
• 11:20 – Imperfect action and new ventures
• 15:40 – Relationships over ROI in business
• 20:25 – Giving back & playing the long game
• 25:10 – Launching Winter Park Distilling Company
• 30:05 – Bourbon beginnings & early awards
• 34:40 – Branding, barrels & Florida corn
• 38:55 – Market trends: bourbon, gin, tequila
• 42:00 – Paul’s true “B-side” & closing takeaways

Don’t forget to subscribe for more conversations with leaders, innovators, and change-makers who are shaping the future of business and community.

Watch now and drop a comment with the one word that describes your B-side.

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Connect with Paul Twyford:  https://wpdistilling.com/

Connect with Betsy Gardner: https://www.betsygardner.com/ 

Learn More about Winter Park Chamber of Commerce: https://www.winterpark.org/

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Podcast produced by Hi Hello Labs: https://www.hihellolabs.com/