An entrepreneur story that I would like to share has to do with a friend and his journey as an entrepreneur. I met Paul Grey probably three years ago. He graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in Management Information Systems. Once he graduated from UGA he started in sales, selling medical supplies for a company named Henry Schein Medical. All of our friends would all go out on the weekends and little by little he started acquiring an interest for making vodka. There were always ideas shot around here and there, but no one ever thought that it would become a dream for him. Whenever I would stop by the house, Paul would be reading books and researching how to make vodka and distill. After a couple of months, he started talking to his friends and investors and got the ball rolling. He quit his job in sales to wholly focus on creating a successful distillery, which became the first distillery in Jacksonville. Now it's been a little over a year and he has landed many liquor stores in Jacksonville, FL and also the Winn-dixie liquor stores. Not only to mention, it is sold at almost every bar in Jacksonville Beach, FL.
Secondly, the reason I enrolled in this class is mainly because it is part of my required classes to graduate. After listening to the first set of lectures, I'm truly excited to try something different. It'll be nice to have a class where I actually want to be engaged in, instead of being hassled to memorize a bunch of terms that I probably won't remember 5 years from now. I hope to understand more about how I can excel and be more open to meeting strangers (since that is a requirement). In the real world, you meet new people everyday so it'll be a good experience!
Hey Melanie. Making vodka may not be the most ideal thing someone could do but, it sure is cool. Also very cool to see the success come from a passion, which is often noticed. I find this class engaging as well and think it's a great opportunity too. Maybe one day I can try the stuff he makes!
ReplyDeleteHey Melanie,
ReplyDeleteGreat post! It’s amazing to know the story of your friend starting his own vodka company and I’m sure you will learn how to craft and forge the entrepreneurial mindset you are looking for! Keep up the good work!
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThat is a great story. I think more people should be like your friend and pursue their dreams. The risk of going out on his own and establishing a new vodka brand is a huge accomplishment. Congratulations to him and maybe his entrepreneur story can inspire more. Also, I am taking this class as an elective and I think that this class could be very beneficial for future use.
ReplyDeleteo Hey Melanie. I think it’s really cool that you were able to see through Paul’s ventures after he received his degree. And I think that story points to the fact that we can all be entrepreneurs at any point in our lives. From what I’ve heard after conversations with people who strive for their business’ success, I know sacrifice is required. It seems like Paul sacrificed his job for a great reason!
ReplyDelete