What does it really take to build something from nothing? In this episode, Betsy sits down with entrepreneur and craft distiller Paul Twyford, co-founder of Winter Park Distilling Company, to unpack the unglamorous, real-world path from door-to-door dry cleaning to award-winning bourbon. Paul shares the cheat codes he wishes he had at 28: start with the problem, say yes more often, build relationships that outlast trends, and develop the grit to keep knocking after nine doors slam in your face. We also nerd out on bourbon basics, from Florida corn and mash bills to barrels, char levels, and why “what’s in the bottle” beats the marketing machine. In this episode we talk about: Problem-first entrepreneurship and why convenience wins Rejection tolerance, resilience, and daily decision making Launching a pickup-and-delivery service with no money and lots of hustle The leap into craft spirits and navigating heavy regulation Vodka vs. bourbon vs. gin vs. tequila in today’s market Mash bills, Florida corn, char levels, and aging decisions that shape great bourbon Community as strategy and why giving first compounds over time How to show up as a peer in rooms that might underestimate you Here are some Key Memorable takeaways: Start with the customer’s problem, not your resume Say yes early and often, then refine Relationships are the real ROI You do not need to be an expert to begin Quality in the bottle beats hype If you are a builder, creator, or leader who wants the honest path to progress, this one will refill your grit tank. TIME STAMPS: 00:00 – Intro & meet Paul Twyford 03:00 – First business: dry cleaning hustle 07:15 – Facing rejection & building grit 11:20 – Imperfect action and new ventures 15:40 – Relationships over ROI in business 20:25 – Giving back & playing the long game 25:10 – Launching Winter Park Distilling Company 30:05 – Bourbon beginnings & early awards 34:40 – Branding, barrels & Florida corn 38:55 – Market trends: bourbon, gin, tequila 42:00 – Paul’s true “B-side” & closing takeaways Don’t forget to subscribe for more conversations with leaders, innovators, and change-makers who are shaping the future of business and community. Watch now and drop a comment with the one word that describes your B-side. Subscribe, rate, and share the B Student Podcast—because the B side of your story might just be the best part. Connect with Paul Twyford: https://wpdistilling.com/ Connect with Betsy Gardner: https://www.betsygardner.com/ Learn More about Winter Park Chamber of Commerce: https://www.winterpark.org/ -------------------------------- Podcast produced by Hi Hello Labs: https://www.hihellolabs.com/
