We knew we hired a good one: Alex Isley just won the design world's highest honor

A slideshow of Alex's work

Really worth clicking through -- he's done some amazing things.

We met with him and his team a few days ago to begin the exciting process of creating the design work for the brand (not only the label).

Crocuses, II

Crocuses, I

This is huge!

So, we've found a company that specializes in back office operations for liquor brands.  They will warehouse the vodka, ship it to distributors, take care of the billing and payment, do all the regulatory filings to get us qualified in every state (so we can launch in NY and CT fairly easily).  Their fee structure means that their interests are aligned with ours, and they act as an informal consultant to brands as well.

We had a great conversation with them.  As always we asked for advice.  One of the partners started (and sold) a vodka brand.  He said it was hard to focus on sales, when he had to devote so much time to permitting etc.  (Which is why he realized there was a niche for his business).  He said the best thing to do is focus on sales and marketing, and especially to the end consumer.  He's seen brands focus so much on getting into stores they don't pay enough attention to getting the product out of stores as well.  He also advised to use stock everything (bottle, cork etc).

This company comes highly recommended from a couple of brands we've talked to, as well as our accountant.  We are so excited to work with them.

Today on the farm: snowdrops!

Marketing to Women: They're doing it right!

check out their website!

The three Ross Valley moms always joked they should mass produce their famous school-fundraiser margarita recipe. No one thought they would.

But last year, Sydney Rainin-Smith, Jill Korst and Carey Clahan, who were up to their elbows in limes for yet another parent-teacher association party, started to get serious. In May, they launched Laughing Glass, a company that makes a low-calorie, organic agave-sweetened premixed margarita.

The unlikely alcohol producers, from divergent backgrounds, are realizing the market for their concoction – which they call “something women don’t have to hide in the kitchen” – might extend beyond the PTA.

The cocktails are selling out at 50-plus Bay Area storefronts where they are carried, and the founders just ordered a double production run and are getting five to 10 calls a day from grocery stores across the country.

“This is a bigger industry and a bigger market than I was prepared for,” said Clahan.

“But that’s true of any startup,” added Rainin-Smith.

Korst agreed, pouring herself another margarita. “Everyone said we’re not gonna be able to do it, and we’re like, ‘A-ha – in your face.’ ”