After a hospitality career that included stops at some of the most exclusive brands in hospitality, Ian Blessing is no stranger to world-class food and beverage experiences. In this episode, we sit down to talk about how he and his wife, Carly, have built a unique, handcrafted product set around non-alcoholic bitters, a category that lends itself perfectly to collaboration. Using what he learned at legendary establishments like The French Laundry and the esteemed Opus One winery in Napa Valley, Ian's approach is to deliver that experience to All The Bitter's customers, leaning heavily on the community of bottle shops and small retailers that help them market the brand.
In our conversation, Ian shares his thoughts on paying meticulous attention to detail, focused on quality ingredients with a dash of created memorable moments. We explore how this goal shapes everything from product development to the overall customer experience in their new bottle shop under the same name, even down to the delightful toy dinosaur surprise in every shipment that started with their kids. We'll also get a taste of current offerings and some exciting news about a new flavor on the horizon. Finally, we discuss the parallels between creating a premium in-person experience with a compelling online presence, and how All The Bitter aims to blend these worlds seamlessly.
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