Du Nord Social Spirits
Du Nord is a distillery that produces high-quality spirits in the heart of the Longfellow neighborhood.
Du Nord has a social mission to “change the rooms, open the doors, and help people who have not traditionally held power see how we can make it in this town, this business, this life, this world.”
Involved with Redesign since 2013
Technical Assistance Recipient | Development Assistance Recipient | Loan Client | Redesign Tenant
“There is no business without community.”
What inspired you to start your business?
I was interested in starting a business as a high school kid. I didn’t know what that business would be, but I knew that the common narrative of “all business owners are greedy/bad people” was too stark to be true. I wanted to prove that a business could be both successful financially and good for a community.
What does Du Nord do?
We make high quality spirits. We produce gin, vodka, bourbon, coffee liqueur, and apple liqueur.
Our motto is “Real good booze that does real good.”
What has been the most rewarding part of doing what you do?
The people I get to work with are amazing. It is extremely rewarding to know that a business I started now is a home for so many good people.
What has been the most challenging part of your work?
Learning to let go and let others lead is, ironically, the most challenging thing I had to learn – and also the best thing I ever did. In the early days everything went through me and I thought that was how it should be. It wasn’t sustainable, it was bad for my health, and it is out of sync with the reality that no person is great at all things a business needs.
How has being a business owner changed you?
I don’t know that owning a business has changed me in any substantive way. I have learned a great deal along the way, but I adhere to a pair of values that have ordered my adult life. If I changed those things, they wouldn’t really be values would they?
How do you see the community as playing a role in your business?
Why did you choose this neighborhood to be the home of your business?
How has Redesign been a part of your story?
Redesign was the only organization that was willing to take a chance on us. My wife and I were rookie business owners, starting a type of business that didn’t exist in the city, with no money. Redesign saw through that and helped us get a small loan to launch our dream. The then-Executive Director Brian Miller was a patient teacher and eventual mentor to me. We would not be here today but for his support. Today we continue to work with Redesign to expand in the community and we are grateful for the partnership.
What was your experience working with Redesign like?
What do you see as Redesign’s role in this community?
Developers generally look to make as much money as they can putting up buildings. Business as usual has little to do with what the community needs but is driven purely by a profit motive. Redesign’s community-centric approach helps build neighborhoods that work for people over profits.