Skunk Brothers Raises $1 million on Start Engine

Lenny Gotter Consulting has been working with Skunk Brothers since early 2019. Moving from a small craft distillery selling only out of their tasting room into a company with sales in several states poised for significant growth is no small task.

Our first goal was to add a new product to their portfolio with mass-market potential and fast turn around time. Whiskey was the obvious choice, being the fastest growing market segment in the spirits industry.

Most whiskies are aged for at least two years, premium brands four years or more. Not having time on our side, we have been working with Two Trees Distilling in North Carolina for several years, and their patented accelerated whiskey technology and collaboration resulted. Smoke Jumper is a peated bourbon sent to Two Tress, accelerated, then returned to Skunk Brothers, where it is bottled and sold. Turn around time is less than a month. This rapidly aged 90-proof bourbon is available in a 750-ml bottle for $39.95. With flavors of smoke and buttered popcorn, Smoke Jumper is a hit and will be sold in several new states starting in 2021. Our distributor response has been overwhelming.

Our second task was fundraising. We partnered with Start Engine, and in 9 months, raised $1 million in equity crowdfunding and more than 2500 investors. The second round is slated to start in early 2021 to raise an additional $5 million. Lenny Gotter Consulting was involved in every step of the process, from launch to marketing to investor outreach. Investors have proven to be fantastic brand ambassadors bringing new customers thru social media to generate online sales.