unleashing
national impact
igniting local
transformation
Tobacco Barn Distillery's journey began with a simple but ambitious mission: to create world-class Bourbon from estate grown corn while preserving the agricultural traditions of the region. From the beginning, Scott Sanders and his partners focused on leveraging local resources, sourcing ingredients & supplies from Maryland farms & businesses while employing traditional distilling techniques.
Over the years, Tobacco Barn Distillery grew steadily, working closely with the Maryland Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to navigate business challenges and seize growth opportunities. Through a series of strategic counseling sessions, funding guidance, and technical support from the SBDC, the distillery was able to scale operations, refine its production processes, and expand its distribution footprint. Their successful application for two USDA "Value-Added Producer" grants, further bolstered their resources and capacity.
In 2023, the distillery reached a new pinnacle of success when it was named "America's #1 Farm Distillery" at the prestigious Heartland Whiskey Competition hosted by the American Craft Spirits Association. This award, based on a blind tasting that evaluated the quality of the spirits produced, highlighted Tobacco Barn Distillery's commitment to excellence. Out of all participants, fewer than 10% achieved the Gold Medal status, with Tobacco Barn Distillery being one of only nine Gold Medal winners in the bourbon category. They received a score of "95" from professional Bourbon judges.
This national recognition not only underscored the distillery's expertise in crafting premium bourbon but also reinforced its reputation as a leader in farm-to-bottle production, a model that emphasizes sustainability and local economic impact. With their recent accolades, Scott Sanders and his partners at Tobacco Barn Distillery are poised for further expansion. Plans are already in motion to automate their production so they can increase capacity.
The SBDC continues to be a trusted partner in this growth, providing ongoing support for scaling operations and accessing new opportunities, such as potential funding through the Maryland Manufacturing 4.0 program. Tobacco Barn Distillery's success story is a testament to the power of dedication, quality craftsmanship, and strategic support. With the assistance of the Maryland SBDC, this farm distillery has turned a local operation into an award-winning enterprise, setting a high standard in the craft distillery industry.
Princess Parlor Kids Spa was born out of owner Jianni Smith's desire to create a unique spa experience specifically designed for children. However, launching and growing such an innovative business came with its set of challenges. The spa required support in business accounting, budgeting, planning, cash flow management, financial literacy, managing operations, strategic growth planning, and tax planning.
"We are thrilled with the progress we've made with the support of the SBDC. Their guidance has been instrumental in helping us navigate the challenges of starting and growing our business. Being featured on Fox5 DC was a dream come true and a testament to the hard work we've put in. We look forward to continuing our growth journey with the SBDC by our side."
Recognizing the complexity of these challenges, Smith sought assistance from the SBDC to ensure a strong foundation for their business.
With a clear vision but faced with numerous hurdles, Princess Parlor Kids Spa worked closely with SBDC Consultant Carmen Braxton to tackle critical business areas such as cash flow analysis, business insurance needs, and identifying funding sources.
With a new comprehensive review of their business, Smith was able to gain critical insights that enhanced profitability and competitiveness.
Through determination and strategic support, Smith achieved significant milestones, including generating over $12,000 in revenue in the first quarter. Princess Parlor Kids Spa was recently featured in a segment on Fox5 DC, significantly enhancing their visibility and reputation.
