Tradition holds that whiskey takes at least a decade to create – but what if it could be produced in merely 24 hours? That’s what Tom Lix, owner of Cleveland Whiskey, has accomplished – his modern distillery can produce a barrel of whiskey in a single day.
Cleveland Whiskey uses a unique process called “disruptive technology,” which aggressively ages the bourbon distillate. While some traditionalists are skeptical of changing time-honored methods, Cleveland Whiskey has won over some very prominent fans, even counting President Obama as a repeat costumer following his tour of the facility.
Now, Cleveland Whiskey is getting national attention from Deluxe Corporation’s Small Business Revolution project. The Small Business Revolution, which also features “Shark Tank” star Robert Herjavec, is a yearlong campaign that celebrates the vibrancy, variety and community impact of small businesses across the country. Its latest story is a photo essayprofiling Cleveland Whiskey, one of 100 profiles of inspiring small businesses that will debut throughout 2015 at SmallBusinessRevolution.org.
Cleveland Whiskey noticed an increased demand for whiskey in foreign countries – so they adopted the revolutionary technique of producing whiskey more quickly, allowing distribution overseas and to 13 states. Besides fueling industry changes and driving global sales, Lix hopes that his company’s efforts will promote the city of Cleveland. Through genuine hard work and an edgy entrepreneurial attitude, Lix and Cleveland Whiskey are on a mission to show people how great their home city really is – and that’s the type of community impact that the Small Business Revolution is all about.
Deluxe developed the Small Business Revolution to focus on the importance of personal touch and local involvement in an era when business is becoming increasingly impersonal. The campaign is capturing the stories of small businesses and their customers, families and friends – all of whom are a crucial part of what makes our communities whole.
“The hands-on customer service, the entrepreneurial spirit and the deep community involvement people find in the small businesses they frequent make all the difference,” said Amanda Brinkman, chief brand and communications officer for Deluxe Corp. “Telling these moving, inspirational stories and putting a spotlight on these owners is our way of celebrating the best parts of American business.”
The Small Business Revolution will unfold throughout 2015, as a part of Deluxe’s 100th anniversary celebration. Since 1915, Deluxe has helped small businesses and financial institutions grow and thrive by providing a range of business services, from websites and logos to social media and email marketing to checks and other financial services.
The Small Business Revolution also awarded several $25,000 prizes to select small businesses this year. Fans nominated their favorite small business at�SmallBusinessRevolution.org, and Shark Tank’s Herjavec helped Deluxe choose the winners who best exemplify the Small Business Revolution spirit.
A longer-form documentary about the Small Business Revolution – featuring many of the profiled businesses, as well as Herjavec and other small-business experts – was also recently released, and can be viewed at SmallBusinessRevolution.org.
