In this episode of the Capital Insight Podcast, co-host Michelle Thimesch chats with the co-founders of Pink Bench Distilling about their handcrafted business model designed to bring prosperity to northwest Montana. Pink Bench is the shared vision of Kristina Boyd and Shawna Kelsey to establish a mission-driven distillery that will address three of the state’s most persistent concerns in rural areas: conflict with bears over backyard fruit trees, creation of jobs on local farms and forests, and inclusive community development around innovative growth. Continue reading for highlights from the conversation with Kristina, a wildlife biologist, and Shawna, a rural development specialist, about their plans to open Pink Bench Distilling in late spring 2023.
The co-founders are currently raising capital via investment crowdfunding. This approach made sense given that Pink Bench grew out of both a value for conservation and the desire to provide a community resource. “Welcoming the community into investing in the business just made so much sense to us [so] that people could be involved in a meaningful way that’s mutually beneficial,” Shawna says.
Since Pink Bench is not yet open, supporters at this stage are investing in a business concept — and the founders themselves. That requires a lot of trust, the founders agree. “It really puts a fire under us to get this done,” Kristina says. “We don’t want to disappoint these people. We don’t want to take these people’s money and run. We know them. And they’re part of our community, and we’re part of their community. And this is a contract between us.” Listen to the podcast to learn more about Pink Bench Distilling.
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Catch up on our latest episodes!
- Local Economic Development and the Dangers of Corporate Greed
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- Driving Community Investment for Sustainable Agriculture with Rebecca Busansky
The Capital Insight podcast intro and outro is voiced by Marina Verlaine. She can be contacted at reel.peach.vo@gmail.com