Keith and I were in Nashville Tennessee!
As a business owner and a woman it was interesting to hear stories of women blazing trails as producers, featured artist's and sought after musician's; as well as bold entrepreneurs. Our oldest son took us on a distillery tour to Nelson's Green Brier Distillery. Besides great whiskey, hearing the story of this family's journey from past to present was inspiring.
A mom turned business women, Louisa; was running a successful distillery in 1891.
"Many know the story of our great-great-great grandfather, Charles Nelson. Charles was the pioneering founder of Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery and the leading producer of Tennessee Whiskey in America in the late 1800s. However, few know about his devoted and hard-working wife, Louisa, who assumed control of the family business after his death in 1891. Unfortunately, prohibition forced her to close the doors of the distillery in 1909. At the time, she was one of the only women ever to have run a commercial distillery. In addition to being a powerful business owner, Louisa Nelson displayed enlightened leadership that benefited the entire community. Today, her foundation and business model remain a driving force in our own practices." - Charlie Nelson
It's often been said that one never knows what they are capable of achieving till they are forced to choose what they can accomplish. Despite achieving success in Tennessee, prohibition forced Louisa to nearby Kentucky to sell the remaining whiskey they'd produced. There were two stories during our tour that struck a cord with me. One being that Louisa had the foresight to patent labels. The second being that Louisa crossing state lines taking with her 1,000 employees.
A business does not run without a great crew.
While we were away, our team hit a benchmark moment- hitting a PO number that when we started in 2007 seemed a large goal. Earlier this month we shared press regarding women in business. Did you know that today is National Women in Business Day?
Cheers, to women in business!
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