Doug Hahn

Projects

Built a brand: results-driven plan for a disruptive distillery

Responsibilities:

  • Research
  • Analytics
  • Budgeting
  • Risk Analysis
  • Road mapping
  • Branding
  • Facilitation
  • Presentation to executives

Outcomes:

Complete business plan with mission, marketing objectives, SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats analysis), consumer analysis, competitor analysis, company analysis, and marketing mix.

Introducing a $100MM Distillery

I was instrumental in researching, evaluating, and formulating a comprehensive business plan for the Bently Heritage brand.

The cover of the business plan presented to executives
The cover of the business plan presented to executives

We worked with a marketing firm to bolster research and gain access to reports, while also conducting our own discovery in tandem with industry subject matter experts.

Sample distillery system sizing worksheet used in plan
Sample distillery system sizing worksheet used in plan

The Means of Production

Researching larger-sized competitors was mission-critical, and I was entrusted to research this. We needed to understand the distilling landscape—particularly, the estate distilling landscape: who owns their own farms within the market segment, and can produce sizable amounts of spirits? My research produced info on almost 3,000 distilleries nationwide and enabled our team to gain an invaluable understanding of competitors.

A sample of the distillery size report that I compiled
A sample of the distillery size report that I compiled

I distilled the data into a small informational report for the executive team.

Strategic Direction for Years to Come

This document, which encapsulated strategic direction, market analysis, operational structure, marketing plan, financial projections, and served as a pivotal tool for executive team approval. I was a critical piece in assisting with the SWOT analysis as well as facilitating meetings where we worked to establish a cohesive brand identity.

This document established a clear framework to guide the brand’s future growth and profitability. The final guidebook was produced in close collaboration with the COO and marketing director, typeset by the designer, and used through the distillery’s lifecycle.