Super Early
Deadline
December 20, 2024
Judging
Date
July 27, 2025
Winners
Announcement
August 12, 2025
Matt came to Hilton Head Distillery from Greenville, SC. There he had spent two years working with the Dark Corner Distillery, managing every part of operations, from retail and tasting room management to product development. He joined Hilton Head Distillery as the Director of Operations, where he has to oversee the sales & marketing team along with working with their master distiller to develop amazing rums and whiskeys. Matt has a keen interest in fine cuisine, craft cocktails, and the food and beverage sector as a whole. Additionally, he enjoys traveling extensively and is enthusiastic about South Carolina's wonderful surroundings and incredible places to visit.
I have been working in the Food and Beverage industry for 20+ years. In 2015 I founded Donnie’s Donuts, the #1 Donut shop in Florida. I have always had a love for all things craft, and I love to create. I bring that passion into everything we create at Hilton Head Distillery.
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I oversee our Sales & Marketing Team and work hand-in-hand with our master distiller to create wonderfully adventurous rums and whiskeys.
Navigating the legality of spirits and bureaucratic red tape of a three-tier distribution system was a big challenge at first. The only real way to overcome these challenges is to experience and build relationships. I also leaned on mentors around the industry for insight into the problems and challenges in front of me.
Continuous improvement is a big part of what we do at Hilton Head Distillery. We strive to push the limits of what is attainable in efficiency and effectiveness. Trail and error remain the best way we learn, and we show no fear when it comes to trying new things.
Image Source- Hilton Head Distillery
We use data from online sales and customer input to explore new markets. This helps us to hone in on the right product-market fits for our portfolio.
Outside of a quality product, marketing, branding, and story play a huge role in our overall success. We think of ourselves as storytellers and stewards of our craft. Taking the lessons learned in generations before us and imparting that wisdom into how we approach each product.
Image Source- Hilton Head Distillery
We use data and analytics to pinpoint our target consumer market. At the end of the day, data doesn’t lie. Test, measure, repeat.
We love the synergy between technology and marketing. Our marketing took off the moment we were able to market effectively with bookable experiences in our distillery.
Right person. Right Seat. A company is only as good as its weakest link. We have gone through some ups and downs, but I can say without a shadow of a doubt that we have the best team we have ever had in our building, and it shows.
Don’t be afraid to fail. Buy time, stay afloat, and keep shooting your shot.
I’m a huge rum guy. Shocker, I know.
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