Island Brands USA Joins Us On The Steve Jobs Inspired Join Up Dots Podcast
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Island Brands USA Founder Scott Hansen
Scott Hansen is the Co-Founder, Chairman of the Board, and CEO of Island Brands USA, the first company to effectively build and scale a non-craft beer business in the
21st century.
For the past 25 years, Scott has excelled in both founder and leadership roles across the technology, healthcare, and finance sectors.
He successfully launched, grew, and exited two proprietary tech firms early in his career before joining Merrill Lynch and obtaining a range of securities licenses.
Following his time in finance, Scott founded Talent Resource Group and was granted National Security Clearance to support data-centric technology systems being developed by the Pentagon.
The company was acquired by Modulant, an IT services company, and Scott served as Managing Director for three years before forming Hansen Talent Group.
There, he worked to strategically develop lower-cost implementation services for major software-as-a-service (SAAS) platforms worldwide; it was acquired in 2018.
A lifelong connector and innovator who consistently brings value to partners and shareholders alike, Scott co-founded Island Brands with his friend Brandon Perry in 2016.
How The Dots Joined Up For Scott
Since then, Scott has played a leading role in driving the brand’s explosive growth across the Southeast U.S. and aboard Carnival Cruise Lines, positioning the company’s portfolio of all-natural,
better-for-you beers among the fastest-growing and most popular in their distribution footprint.
Under Scott’s leadership, Island Brands USA stays true to its mission to give back in meaningful ways, partnering with 1% for the Planet to contribute to global environmental causes and initiating the Good Vibes program to support charities throughout the Southeast.
In addition, he was instrumental in the development of Guiding Principles and Best Practices for South Carolina Nonprofits.
Scott lives on Sullivan’s Island, S.C., with Meghan — his high school sweetheart and wife of over 28 years — and their three children and two dogs.
So how do you start a beer company when you are surrounded by so many long established competitors that people have loyalty to?
And what does he enjoy most about the entrepreneurial life that he lives in everyday?
Well lets find out as we bring onto the show to start joining up dots with the one and only Mr Scott Hansen.
Show Highlights
During the show we discussed such wieghty subjects with Islands Brands USA CEO Such:
Scott reveals how he took the steps to start his brewing business without ever having to start
We talk openly about the white labelling of their product and why they knew this was the best way forward for the business.
Scott talks about the birth of the branding and the “good vibes” mission statements he was determined to make part of the appeal.He reveal
He reveals the difficulties that Scott faced when first trying to get his beer into the hands of the Cuban people
And lastly…..
We break down the process that Scott followed by being a student of the established craft beers and why standing on the shoulders of giants is always the best policy.
How To Connect With Island Brands USA
Return To The Top Of Island Brands USA
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Or if you prefer just pop over to our podcast archive for thousands of amazing episodes to choose from.
Audio Transcription Of Island Brands USA Interview
Intro [0:00]
Life shouldn’t be hard life should be a fun filled adventure every day. So now start joining up dots tap into your talents, your skills, your God given gifts and tell your boss, you don’t deserve me. I’m out of here. It’s time for you to smash that alarm clock. And start getting the dream business and life you will, of course, are dreaming of. Let’s join your host, David Ralph from the back of his garden in the UK, or wherever he might be today with another JAM PACKED episode of the number one hit podcast. Join Up Dots.
David Ralph [0:40]
Yeah, good morning to you and welcome to Join Up Dots. Thank you very much for connecting with us and listening to another entrepreneurial business discussion where we can literally go in any directions that the dots join up. Well, today’s guest is the co founder and chairman of the board and CEO of island brands USA, the first company to effectively build and scale a non craft beer business in the 21st century. Now for the past 25 years. He’s excelled in both founder and leadership roles across the technology, healthcare and finance sectors say we didn’t mention the beer sectors there. And he successfully launched grew and exited to tech firms early in his career before then joining Merrill Lynch and obtaining a range of security licences. Now, he’s a lifelong connector, and he’s an innovator who consistently brings value to his partners and shareholders alike, which led him to co found Island brands with his friend Brandon Perry, back in 2016. And since then, he’s played a leading role in driving the bat brands explosive growth across the southeast us and aboard Carnival Cruise Lines, positioning the company’s portfolio of all natural better for you beers among the fastest growing and most popular in their distribution footprint. So how do you start a beer company when you’re surrounded by so many long established competitors, but people or have loyalty to? And what does he enjoy most about the entrepreneur life that he lives every day? Well, let’s find out as we bring onto the show to start joining up dots with the one and only Mr. Scott Hanson. Good morning to you, Scott, how are you?
Scott Hansen Island Brands USA [2:24]
Good morning, how are you? Great to Great to be here. David,
David Ralph [2:28]
it’s lovely to have you here. And I’m just going to jump straight into it here. But is that true? It’s the first beer company that has been sort of created in the 21st century are all beers sort of in America, the as it 100 years old been?
Scott Hansen Island Brands USA [2:46]
Well, the there’s a lot of craft companies that are out there, that you know, there’s a proliferation of, of companies that have been created in this. In this renaissance of beer we have now over 9000 craft breweries in in the United States. And they were you know, they were the godfathers of craft that really came to came to light in the early 1990s. And that has obviously exacerbated to now over 9000, we take a different approach where we don’t even really, we don’t actually own a brewery. And so we don’t actually brew the beer. And the reason why is because we wanted to create scale with our brand, and really compete with much larger brands. And so we’re the first company to really scale outside of those smaller craft brands that have that have really popped up all over the US
David Ralph [4:00]
now that this blows me away, because when I was growing up in the 1970s, in the United Kingdom, I think every kid’s dad would be brewing his own beer in what we call the airing cupboard where you put the towels and the bedsheets and it’s all nice and warm and dry. So I naturally thought that your business would be a scaled up version of that, but you can start a beer company without actually brewing it yourself.
Scott Hansen Island Brands USA [4:28]
Yeah, I mean, you know, some CPG companies and I would argue, you know, most consumer packaged goods companies don’t necessarily have you know, their own factories and produce the products that they actually sell. You know, they they partner with production facilities that have this scale to produce large quantities of products. And also with with a light shined on, you know, quality. And, you know, we feel pretty strongly that, you know, there are production facilities and people out there that operate and work for those production facilities that can create, you know, a level of consistency, you know, for for widespread, you know, product, you know, development and scale that that you otherwise wouldn’t be able to get if we were doing it ourselves.
David Ralph [5:35]
Now, a lot of ideas and businesses are formed when somebody sees a pain point and goes, I can solve fat. Now, I’m interested with this because you’re sitting Wait, well, maybe you weren’t sitting maybe you were walking with your friend Brandon Perry in 2016. Was it like an epiphany that came where you both consuming ample amount of alcohol and saying we could do this better ourselves? How did the idea come to you?
Scott Hansen Island Brands USA [6:05]
I had done a open ocean sailing race to Cuba, from Key West Florida, in the US. And when we got to Cuba, my wife and Brandon and his wife, they flew over and met me. And, and the girls were over at the bed at a pool at a hotel, I was kind of getting antsy and wanted to go check out the city after being on a, you know, a sailboat for for 19 hours and drag Brandon with me. And we went down to, you know, a couple of different, you know, pubs and bars in old Havana. And we kept running into the same two beers that were, you know, widely available in Cuba. One was a light beer one was a dark beer and, and both of them were pretty awful. Relative to the offerings we have in the US and other countries. A B being that it’s a communist country, the the government had done a deal with a B InBev, which is, you know, really the largest conglomerate in the beer space in the world. And they simply offered their, you know, their citizens, those two, you know, beers. And that’s where, you know, I had an epiphany to import better beer into Cuba. And as the story goes, when I when I got back to the US, I, I, you know, incorporated a company called Havana craft imports, and wanted to really send the Cuban people a better, you know, a better quality beer or beers. And along the way, in the process of curating, you know, some products that I wanted to ship over to Cuba, you know, I came up with this thought that we could white label a beer, and make a beer, you know, just for the Cuban people along with sending them some curated versions, and that’s how Island was born. And the namesake of the company was, was, was was found.
David Ralph [8:29]
Now a on this podcast, we look at how the dots join up, and how one experience leads to another and you can’t connect them at the time. It’s only when you get to a certain point. Now this seems to me a pivotal moment, where not a lot of people would say, Oh, we can white label a beer and bring this across. So what were your dots leading up to beer spec gave you an understanding that this was possible.
Scott Hansen Island Brands USA [8:58]
You know, I had a young at a younger age worked for my father, who is a distributor for in the haircare products industry. And, and most all of the products that that he was distributing. You know, most notably Paul Mitchell haircare products were not they weren’t produced by the gentleman who started that company. You know, that gentleman started the company and came up with the idea for a for a better quality product in the haircare space, and, and used a separate facility, you know, to make those products and, and I simply, you know, that resonated with me at a younger age. And, you know, just struck me that that was something that we could probably do with with beer.
David Ralph [9:57]
Now, let’s get a flavour of what beer tastes like because I don’t drink anymore. I’m totally sober. But I must admit, and hopefully I don’t offend anyone. But when I was in America, that the beers weren’t that good. They were they were very light, they weren’t as sort of meaty, and packed a punch, as I do in the United Kingdom, where you can have three or four of them, you’d be under a table, you could drink them all night and have no sort of effect. So where do your beers sit between the ones over here? And the ones that I experienced? Like, I’m trying to think of it like Michelob and Samuel Adams, I think there was another one we used to drink.
Scott Hansen Island Brands USA [10:36]
Yeah, that’s a really good question. You know, when when we, when we designed the beer, we wanted to, you know, provide the Cuban folks with something that we thought that would be, you know, pay homage to them and be something that if they had the ability to make on their own, you know, what would they make, and being that it’s hot, and, you know, you know, just a need for thirst quenching beer in Cuba, that that wasn’t necessarily watered down. We went with a lager style beer. And so it’s a, it’s a lighter beer with a lighter ABV, however, we wanted to subscribe to the, you know, late 1500s law, the German Reigen ice law, where, where none of the products in the beer, were, you know, corner cutting, so, you know, a lot of beers in the US use rice and corn. And, you know, that doesn’t really subscribe to the Reigen highest law where, you know, water, hops, and barley quality, high quality grains are used in the product and, and that was, you know, really a differentiating factor for us. So, you know, it’s got, it’s got a lower ABV, and it’s a lighter, easy drinking beer, particularly in the hot sun. But it’s, it also has, you know, the quality and the flavour that, that a lot of a lot of, you know, lighter beers are missing, you know, in the US and really around the world.
David Ralph [12:30]
So, when you want label something, Scott, do you go in and say, Look, this is what I bought in a shop, and I quite liked the taste of this one. Can you replicate it? Or do vai like mad professors concoct loads of them? And you walk along? Going? Yeah, I don’t like that one. I like that. One. How do you actually do it?
Scott Hansen Island Brands USA [12:52]
You Well, in our, in our particular case, and what we’ve done as we’ve expanded our portfolio into ready to drink cocktails and spirits, you know, Ireland is no longer just a beer company, we’re really a lifestyle brand that, that, that overarching is throughout bear Valcke. And so whenever we develop products, we start with, really the design of the product from, from an aesthetic perspective, and from a marketing perspective. So we design the can, and then we list out the attributes of what we want that brand to taste like. And so and then we work with, with with brewers and mixers, distillers labs, to really concoct what what that brand, what we want to be inside of that bottle or can and we do use some benchmarks in the market. But, but for the most part, we, we really developed, you know, the look and the feel of the brand from from a marketing perspective. And then we then we develop the juice inside or the liquid as we call it inside the can or bottle, you know, with with certain, you know, kind of, you know, benchmarks if you will, or, or tasting profiles. And we just keep going back and forth with our distillers or brewers and labs until we kind of hit the mark.
David Ralph [14:33]
Now I find this fascinating. So this is totally contra from how I would do it. I would get a load of beers. And Ben say back tastes all right. That’s what I want to replicate. And then the last thing I would probably think about is the actual sort of branding and the can and the bottle it comes into why is that so important for you to start with that at the beginning of the process?
Scott Hansen Island Brands USA [14:58]
Because we look at you Well, first and foremost, we were never able to get the beer into Cuba, the US State Department, you know, wouldn’t, wouldn’t allow us to do it. And so, you know, we pivoted and started focusing on the US, because we had printed almost 300,000 cans, before we even filled them with liquid. And we had to, we had some, we had to, you know, send those cans somewhere and sell them.
David Ralph [15:25]
So, so how would you know, it’s gonna work when Scott with that amount of investment, why not do like 10 cans, why did you do it at such scale,
Scott Hansen Island Brands USA [15:34]
the minimum run for printed cans, and that’s that, you know, printed, you know, we, we, you know, you can wrap cans, which, which is kind of a different look. But printed CANS is more of a large scale, and it’s just more elegant, more permanent. And, and that’s just what we were going for, from an aesthetic perspective. And so, you know, we didn’t know it was going to work. And, you know, maybe that’s the risk, and it was a risk, and we got caught on the other end of it, where we weren’t able to send the product to Cuba. And it wasn’t really we were starting a company, it was more of a hobby, and the hobby is what, you know, we had to pivot and find a place to, you know, ship all these cans and sell them. And so, you know, that really drove us to, you know, the DNA of what this company is about. I mean, we’re more about a marketing company and a sales and marketing company than we are, you know, an actual, you know, Bev out company, if you will. So, you know, aesthetically, I think by starting with the brand first, and then making sure that the liquid inside the can or bottle, you know, matches or exceeds the quality of the marketing. That seems to have worked for us pretty well. Now,
David Ralph [16:59]
a lot of people say to me, David, what actually is branding? And my answer is, generally, it’s the promise that you can deliver, it’s the overarching, so yours comes across as kind of fun and sunshine. And if you go over to the website, you can buy hats, you can buy a sweatshirts, accessories, so it’s not just the beer, and I see that it’s moving into rum as well. What was your, your branding statement, when you sat down? What did you aim to actually deliver within that branding?
Scott Hansen Island Brands USA [17:33]
We, we really subscribe to what I call is really just spreading good vibes, you know, the, the, the DNA and the impetus for the company was to provide a better quality product to pay homage to folks in Cuba that are super resourceful, but but but very under under resourced. You know, they they have, they have a lot of resources, they don’t have a lot of resources, but they, but they somehow are able to, to innovate and create, despite their circumstances, and, you know, part of part of what we wanted to do is, is really provide them a better quality beer and, you know, the pivot into the US market, given that we couldn’t get the beer to Cuba, you know, allowed us to keep that ethos, but really pointed in the direction of, of the domestic US market. And that’s just to spread good vibes. And as a part of that, we we appended to an organisation called 1% for the planet. And we now put all of our packaging on the cans and boxes all have that 1% For the planet logo. And what that means is we pledge 1% of our revenue to help the world fight climate change and environmental causes that we feel is is doing you no good by by really melding our quality product with with a with a ethos of give back.
David Ralph [19:19]
Well, you certainly deliver that and it is an alcohol brand, but it seems healthy you you’re focused in on calories and the carb values on the canes. And also, unlike many places in America that I’ve been to I love a Shandy. And I always have to explain what a shandy is sort of half beer half lemonade, you’ve actually got that as one of your products which sort of jumped out to me with kickback and soak up the sunshine with this shandy that perfectly balances to find his premium beer and freshly squeezed lemonade. Perfect for poolside parties, backyard barbecues, and river rafting trip. IPS use, you’ve sold me, you’ve sold me. So where does those that imagery come from? Where were, you know, the river rafting that suddenly jumped out at me thinking, well, that’s a bit, you know, left centre to the others barbecues backyards, I can see that river rafting.
Scott Hansen Island Brands USA [20:18]
Yeah, the, you know, a lot, a lot of the a lot of the brands have had kind of their own personalities. And, you know, all of our, all of our brands in our portfolio, you know, are tied to a better for you more premium quality. Obviously, the GiveBack component is is very strong for us. But, but the activities that go along with each of the brands, you know, and kind of crossover are really all the things that I love to do. So surfing, sailing, you know, whitewater rafting, fly fishing, all those things on the water, but also, you know, mountain biking, and hiking, and, you know, spending time in the mountains, I mean, you know, all of the all of our products, really, you know, the backbone of the company, really encourage you to get out and enjoy life, and enjoy the environment and nature. And as a result, you know, when you buy our products, you’re giving back to that ecosystem, and contributing to, you know, the world in a positive way. And, you know, you know, it’s not just about, you know, the beer, or the rum or the tequila. You know, for us, it’s about the lifestyle and how you live your life. And really, that’s pervasive through the brand. And so a lot of a lot of the a lot of the parts of the brand, are things that, you know, our community embraces and loves, and, and we’re just giving the community more
David Ralph [22:03]
of what they want. That’s even Jim Carrey, and we’ll be back with Scott,
Jim Carrey [22:08]
my father could have been a great comedian, but he didn’t believe that that was possible for him. And so he made a conservative choice. Instead, he got a safe job as an accountant. And when I was 12 years old, he was let go from that safe job. And our family had to do whatever we could to survive. I learned many great lessons from my father, not the least of which was that you can fail at what you don’t want. So you might as well take a chance on doing what you love.
David Ralph [22:34]
Now, obviously, this is going well for you. And we will touch on the pandemic, because you started it before then. Now actually, we’ll touch on it straightaway. And I’ll come back to my questions. The pandemic, obviously, we’ve been through some very strange times, and depending on when you’re listening to this podcast episode, there was a time that none of us could come out about gardens, and we all had to stay indoors all the time. Did that allow for growth of your product? Because certainly in the United Kingdom, during that time, people were drinking from about seven o’clock in the morning, because they had nothing else to do. Was this something that was a boost to your digital product?
Scott Hansen Island Brands USA [23:13]
No, you know, we, we, you know, here in the US, we have a three tier system. And so we have to actually sell our product to a distributor. And then a distributor has to sell our product to a retailer who can offer it to the consumer. And so there’s a lot of folks that have to touch our product, before we can get it, you know, to the consumer, you know, a lot of products, most products, you know, it really is just alcohol in the US most products outside of alcohol, you can sell direct to consumer through through the retail outlets, or even just direct online. And in the US, we have a three tier system. And, you know, we have to sell through our distributors. And so, our distributors because the volume that we do, which is not insignificant, you know, we have to work with distributors that are already upended, and do most of their business with, you know, either one of three conglomerates, either Miller, Anheuser Busch or Constellation Brands, which represents all the Mexican imports, like Corona and modelo. And so, you know, that that really is probably a bigger challenge than any pandemic or any possible, you know, worldwide, you know, challenge, you know, for us in the US, that’s a bigger challenge than anything because we actually have to push our beer through a middle tier that is already upended to really you know, these conglomerates so that’s that’s a bigger channel. For us than the pandemic, you know, the, the pandemic didn’t really effectuate us, you know, either, you know, one way or another, you know, I guess you could, you could probably say we did fit, we fare better than most other brands during the pandemic, because the majority of our products are sold at major grocery. And, and most of the pubs, restaurants bars were closed during the pandemic. And that’s not really where we focus our, our sales efforts, we focus our sales efforts in the, in the grocery chains, and in the retailers, and those remained open for US citizens to, you know, buy sundries and, and all the things they needed to, you know, be no food. So luckily for us, that’s where the majority of our revenues derived. And so we, we fare, you know, consistent with, with during the pandemic, but, you know, the proclivities of the three tier system are probably the largest challenge that, that that, that we have, as a brand, you know, having to sell through a middle tier that essentially is appended to a much larger conglomerate.
David Ralph [26:19]
So this seems fundamentally wrong to me. So the the middle tier, take a bit of your profit, and the top guys take a bit of your profit, so you’re only getting a third of what you should be good.
Scott Hansen Island Brands USA [26:31]
Well, that’s just how it works in the US, you know, the 21st amendment in the US Khan’s constitution is what put together this three tier system, which which, you know, whoever, you know, depending on who you ask, you know, they, you know, that depends on which side of it, you know, that you’re you belong, you know, your your middle tier folks would say, it’s, it’s, it’s needed. But, you know, the reality is, is that, you know, the 21st Amendment of the US Constitution was put in place after Prohibition. So the federal government, and state governments could have more bites at the apple from a tax perspective. So, you know, as a supplier, we’re taxed. And then when we sell it to the distributor, the distributors tax when the distributor sells it to a retailer, they pay their tax, and then the consumers ultimately tax. So for, you know, for for the US government, you know, it’s great for, you know, for for the people, you know, that have to touch our product until it reach reaches the consumer, it’s good for them. And so, you know, it is what it is, it’s the ecosystem that we live in. And it’s, it’s the cross we bear as you, as they say,
David Ralph [27:52]
he he’s interesting base, because I think that would stop me at the beginning. I think once I looked at that, I think to myself, Now hang on, there’s other products that I could bring to market, potentially quicker, where I keep literally all the profits myself, so So what was it that when you looked at this because I imagined before you went into it, you didn’t have any idea about this tier system? It was something that you discovered, when you started sort of building the brand? What was it that made you think, okay, it’s still it’s still a goer, it’s still something that we can work towards.
Scott Hansen Island Brands USA [28:30]
You know, I, you know, we didn’t we didn’t plan to make this a company, it was really a passion product to be able to provide a prat a passion project to provide, you know, the Cuban folks, you know, in a wonderful island nation, a better quality product. And at the time, it seemed like that could be possible. Because in 2016, the Obama administration had put together some opportunities to, to engage, you know, that island nation that has since the pendulum has swung the other way, and we’re not really able to do any business with them, and nor were we able to get our products to them. So, you know, I think we kind of fell into it. It wasn’t necessarily something we studied ahead of time. But we’re where we are now. And we’re so far down the trail that we’re we’re continuing to put one foot in front of the other and what we found is that, you know, our products resonate greatly with our retail partners, and with our consumers. And so, we’re doing everything we can to provide them, you know, a better quality product that has this giveback ethos that is clearly resonating with with those buyers and those consumers, you know, going through the Qinglong Emirates, and the middle tier is is is, you know, consistently a challenge. But you know, we’re game for it and working through those challenges every day.
David Ralph [30:12]
Now what I love about this and taking us back to the Jim Carrey speech when he said, you might as well do what you love, you’re very open that this was a passion project. So you didn’t mind the obstacles, it was more that you felt like you was delivering something to people that I suppose needed it, they needed a better quality of beer. Do you still feel about or has it ebbed and flowed? Has there been days when you think, Oh, God got to do another one? Or are you still on that sort of crest of a wave?
Scott Hansen Island Brands USA [30:47]
I don’t, I’m more vigilant. And today than I was when we when we even began, you know, the community that we continue to grow, particularly through our crowdfunding that we started back in, you know, the tail end of 2020, we launched an opportunity for folks to invest in become equity stakeholders, and island brands. And when we launched that campaign, it quickly became the most successful crowdfunding campaign in the history of the US, we raised over a million dollars in 30 days, and that showed the retail appetite for our brand. And, you know, for me, I’m not going to you know, that I stand on the shoulders of all those investors, and, and feel very strongly that we need to remain vigilant and continue to provide the market and the consumers a better quality product for them. And a product that gives back 1% of our revenues, to make the world a better place. You know, there’s there’s a larger mission, it’s not about the beer, it’s not about the rum or tequila, it really is about, you know, providing a better quality product that also is doing good in the world. And I subscribed that, you know, to that, and I believe our community does. And it’s evidenced by the fact that, you know, we continue to be one of the fastest growing brands in the US. We were just named one of the fastest growing companies by Inc Magazine had a wonderful article that was written up in Forbes magazine. And so and our crowdfunding on start engine has now raised over $5.2 million. And we have over 5000 investors that represent that that influx of investment. And again, it’s their shoulders I stand on, and when we’re going to continue to, to march forward until the brand can be ubiquitous, not just in the US, but globally.
David Ralph [33:15]
Now, we all stand on the shoulders of giants, there’s no doubt that there’s very rare things that occur that have never been done before. Now, did you look at how other people had operated and created your path? Did you just make it up as you go along? Because so far, it sounds like it’s been a seamless path to where you are now. But of course, you will have had obstacles and dead ends and failures. How did you actually plan how you were going to do this?
Scott Hansen Island Brands USA [33:45]
You know, I am 100% A student of of those that came before me, Jim cook with Boston Beer and Fred adventures, Sweetwater and Kim Jordan of New Belgium, you know, these are all people that were pioneers in the craft beer movement. And you know, timing for them was a lot different, the space and Bev ALC has become, you know, very, very crowded, a lot of static and now, soft, soft drink companies and conglomerates are also jumping in the game with with with Coke and Pepsi. Now, you know, proliferating and using their distribution network to also play within the DevOps space. You know, it you know, we’ve had many pivots, we’ve, we’ve, we’ve been in the valley of death where we where we’ve had to, you know, figure out how to overcome obstacles
David Ralph [34:48]
to tell us about wave Oh, Scott, just jumping in tell us about the dark dots as we call them. Those moments when you go Jesus this is this is the end of game where there’s no way out and then Little beam of light comes down and you start following back in and things change for you.
Scott Hansen Island Brands USA [35:06]
Yeah, the, you know, there was a, there was a time when we had a, you know, a bottleneck, if you will, in distribution. And in in one of our largest states, and we had an actual distributor that wasn’t, you know, that wasn’t performing to provide the product, and get it on the shelves where it belonged. And there was a glut of product that, unbeknownst to us, they had in their warehouse that was about to expire, and we didn’t, we just we didn’t have the capital to with with withstand that, you know, that that kind of hit. But, you know, we were able to work through that, and solve that problem by, you know, just working very hard and staying the course, talking with several other distributors that could take on the product. And, and we’ve worked through that issue, you know, that those moments really, you know, you know, it’s it’s, it’s, I don’t believe that we would be where we are today, if it weren’t for a certain level of resilience, and the resilience really comes from a love and having a passion for what we’re doing. And, and I certainly subscribe to that. I mean, if this was just a job, you know, I don’t think anyone would, would do it, you know, but but if you but if you love what you do, and you believe in what you do, and you have a passion for it, I believe you can overcome just about any obstacle,
David Ralph [36:54]
I agree with you. And I think that at its core, certainly in my case, we’ve, you know, what I’ve created, we’ve sort of multiple companies, it’s the personal vision that I have, but I can see it, I can see it so strongly, but I know that there’s some way to it, I’ve just got to find out. And I often liken it to just being in a corridor with every door locked, and if you knew that one of them opened, you would try every single door, it’s just that when it’s in business, you haven’t got that opportunity to know which door, you’ve just got to keep on moving forward with faith.
Scott Hansen Island Brands USA [37:32]
Yeah, I subscribe to that wholeheartedly. And, you know, there, there are, there are times in this journey, where where, you know, the light, if you will, has been very strong, where, you know, you know, the universe is kind of pushing, you know, pushing in a certain area, and it’s really being open and flexible, to recognise, you know, those opportunities and move forward with those opportunities that really create, you know, the magic, if you will, and, you know, you’re you’re never going to see the light unless you’re in the in, you know, in the mix to see. So, you know, if if, if we’re not putting one foot in front of the other every day and solving those problems, then then you won’t, you won’t be able to recognise how to solve those problems. So, you know, it’s, it’s, it’s a cycle that, you know, obviously continues to work for us, we continue to grow, and we continue to, you know, innovate and provide more to our community. And, and, you know, we’re, we’re, you know, it’s our mission and our and our passion to do so. And, you know, whatever obstacle comes our way. You know, I believe that with the right, with the right intent, and and, you know, then then we can solve those problems.
David Ralph [39:03]
Yeah, I was saying to somebody the other day, the light is never brighter, then when you’re asleep in a dark room, and somebody comes in and turns the light on. And you are, and I think that’s the same in business as well. When things are going well. And all the light is around you. You don’t you don’t reflect it’s just when you in those dark times, and that that that glimmer comes to you faster, we’ll progress and that’s when 510 years down the line, you look back on them, and you go, yeah, well, that’s what led us to where we are now. We needed that we needed that obstacle, otherwise, we wouldn’t be in the same place.
Scott Hansen Island Brands USA [39:39]
That’s right. It’s always darkest before the dawn. Oh, you said
David Ralph [39:42]
it better than they you said it in about four words. And I said it in about 15 words, but hey, I’m a podcaster. I have space to fill. Let’s hear from Steve Jobs.
Unknown Speaker [39:50]
Of course, it was impossible to connect the dots looking forward when I was in college. But it was very, very clear looking backwards. 10 years later. A Again, you can’t connect the dots looking forward, you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future, you have to trust in something, your gut destiny, life, karma, whatever, because believing that the dots will connect down the road, will give you the confidence to follow your heart, even when it leads you off the well worn path. And that will make all the difference.
David Ralph [40:25]
So listening to those words got what do you actually trust in what what actually does keep you moving forward?
Scott Hansen Island Brands USA [40:32]
You know, for me, you know, and Steve Jobs and a lot of what, what he just said in that vignette, you know, holds, you know, I hold very close to my, to who I am, you know, for me, you know, I, I went to eight years of military, you know, schooling, and, you know, my, my, my, my bachelor degree at the Citadel, which is the Military College of South Carolina, you know, the, there’s a level of fortitude, you know, that it takes to get through something like that. And you can’t just do it alone, you do it with your classmates. And likewise, prior to that, and, you know, I don’t think that there’s, you know, any one thing that prepared me for what I’m doing today, but, you know, for me, you know, I’ve just been always somebody that that, you know, has, has kind of a level of optimism, optimism, not necessarily, you know, you can’t be delusional, he can’t lie to yourself. But, you know, I believe anything’s possible. And I think that, you know, I believe that you should live life each and every day, and do what you love, and do do it. Well, otherwise, you know, you’re, you’re, you’re not, you’re not really, you know, you’re not, you’re not providing, you know, others that don’t have those opportunities, you know, a pathway or you’re not really, you know, you know, living life to the fullest if you’re not doing those things, that, that, that are, that are making the world and other other folks, you know, helping other folks, you know, I mean, you know, we’re just on the earth for such a short period of time. And I feel like, you know, whatever it is, somebody does, they should do it as best as they can. And, you know, it doesn’t matter the circumstance, you know, if you’re, if you’re, you know, you know, a school teacher, or your podcasts or, or you’re a boat captain, or you’re somebody who has to take out, you know, trash rubbish in your case, you know, do it the best you can, and with a smile on your face, because, you know, we’re all here for a short period of time. And I think the best thing you can do is follow your passions and do what you do the best you can for me, you know, the side effects of that are being able to, you know, show my kids, you know, a way forward, you know, I always subscribe to the notion that you’re either working on on your dream or someone else’s. And, you know, I worked on other people’s dreams, and worked hard, you know, in that regard, but, you know, this is a dream that, you know, kind of has keeps evolving, and I believe in it and, you know, one foot in front of the other.
David Ralph [43:49]
Yeah, absolutely. As we’ve been doing on this show, which has led us to the last step, the Sermon on the mic when we get to send you back in time to have a one on one with the young Scot and if you could speak to the young Scot what age would you love to speak to? Well, we’re going to find out because I’m going to play the theme and when it phase Europe this is the Sermon on the mic
Unknown Speaker [44:15]
here we go with the best bit of the show, the Sermon on the mind, the sermon on
Scott Hansen Island Brands USA [44:34]
take more risks earlier in your life, and always remember success unshared is failure.
David Ralph [44:42]
That was you that was sure do you think he would listen to it Scott or would you go what what do you know old man?
Scott Hansen Island Brands USA [44:49]
Thank you probably say what do you know? Because I have three kids that also you know, subscribe to, you know, a little strong headedness, but you know, I truly believe that taking risks earlier on are better than later in life, you know, you have so much more. And I think this younger generation now coming up, is, you know, technology and the proliferation of technology has allowed for, you know, you’re not your, your conventional roles that are out there. And so I think that just as a global community, we’re moving in that direction, and an entrepreneurship is, is alive and well, and innovation. And, you know, that that’s something that I think these younger generations will, will continue to subscribe to, and the frequency of, of innovation and opportunities that are presented through that will, will continue to grow as time goes on, breaking all the all the old paradigms of, you know, working for a company for 38 years, and then retiring with a pension. You know, those days are long gone. And, you know, I think that there’s a lot of opportunity out there for a lot of young entrepreneurs. And I would have, if I could have told myself anything it would have been, you know, you know, take those risks earlier. But but when you become successful, you know, the most important thing you can do is share that success in your, in your, in your, in your community, and and with others and help them along as well.
David Ralph [46:32]
Yeah, great stuff. Great stuff. So Scott, for the audience have been listening today, what is the best way that they can connect with you, sir?
Scott Hansen Island Brands USA [46:39]
Well, I mean, I encourage anybody to check out our website at Island brands usa.com. We’re currently talking with folks in other countries, including the UK, we already shipped a beer to Shanghai, in China. And we serve fleetwide on Carnival Cruise Lines. And so we’re actively pursuing opportunities in other countries to continue to spread the good vibes. But check out our website at Island brands usa.com. If you’d like to connect with me directly, you can do it through that website. And you can also check out our community on our start engine page, which you can find through our website as well. And you can become a part of our community that way as well. So Ivan brands usa.com. We’d love we’d love to have you come
David Ralph [47:35]
visit us. Yeah. And next time I’m in America, I will look out for the Chandi Scots and I will, I will test it out and let you know, I’ll probably only need one of them. I’d be on the floor. But I will test it out for you.
Scott Hansen Island Brands USA [47:48]
Hey, we do appreciate everything that you’re giving us in terms of the time and the audience. And we’re just thankful to be a part of this.
David Ralph [47:58]
Now. It’s a delight to have you here. Thank you so much for spending time with us today. Joining up those dots. And please come back again, when you’ve got even more dots to join up. Because I do believe that by joining up those dots and connecting our paths is always the best way to build our futures. Mr. Scott Hansen. Thank you so much.
Scott Hansen Island Brands USA [48:16]
Thank you, David. Appreciate everything.
David Ralph [48:22]
Mr. Scott Hansen from Island brands USA. So do you think you could start your own beer? Do you think he could go? Nah, I know, I’ve been drinking this for eight hours straight, but I can do better than that. So he’s done it without any brewery assistance at all, where he’s white labelled and created his own brand. And if you go over to it, he’s got the island bar. Now he’s got that hats, the merch He’s got everything spinning out. So it’s interesting. I would have gone with beer first and then built a brand but he went with the concept of the brand and then built a beer around it. Go figure. But anyway, thank you so much for listening to this episode of Join Up Dots. And as for anyone out there who wants to see their life changing also positive ways come across to join up dots.com and connect with us. But um, we’ll see you again. You look after yourselves. Cheers. See ya. Bye bye.
Outro [49:14]
That’s the end of Join Up Dots. You’ve heard the conversation. Now it’s time for you to start taking massive action. Create your future create your life. Easy only you live God. We’ll be back again real soon. Join Up Dots during the God’s God’s God’s Jolene. Join Up Dots.
