We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Eduardo Andrade a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Eduardo, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

Carolina Eggnog is a home crafted recipe with roots going back to our native country of Panama. The recipe goes back decades when my mother started making it as a teenager and has stayed in the family ever since. It became a family tradition to make it every holiday season and many family members and friends would eagerly await our eggnog each year. The way eggnog is made in Latin America is different than in North America so folks couldn’t get enough of the rich and creamy texture our eggnog provided. Having a variety of fresh ingredients that leaves one wanting to take another sip each time. It got to the point that we would have dozens of friends and family members who wanted several bottles at a time and were willing to buy them if necessary. With no one providing the quality and taste we had to offer we decided to start our business and start selling it to the wider public. Based in Mount Holly, North Carolina, our family created this small business in the hopes that whenever you open a bottle it can be shared with your family and friends.

Eduardo, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Carolina Eggnog is a home crafted recipe with Latin roots from the Isthmus of Panama. Our eggnog contains Rum since it has historically been used Latin America in various beverages and in countless holiday celebrations. Carolina Eggnog provides the perfect balance of a rich and creamy texture that sets it apart from tradition eggnog found in North America. Having a variety of fresh ingredients that leaves one wanting to take another sip. We provide a alcohol and alcohol free version of our eggnog for folks who have a preference. We have had hundreds of customers try our eggnog, from folks who are eggnog fanatics to folks who hate eggnog and no matter what they end up enjoying our product because it is unlike anything they have ever tasted before. It is truly a unique experience to try our eggnog and is unlike anything on the market. Based in Mount Holly, North Carolina, our family created this small business in the hopes that whenever you open a bottle it can be shared with your family and friends.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Our family started this business from the ground up. My mother came to me a few years ago with the idea of starting this business and I wholeheartedly supported her and told her we would make it a reality because I believed in our product and the effect it had on people when they tried it. We had no investors, we used our own family funds to make it happen because we wanted to make it a family business and it will always be that way. My Dad and I worked for months on turning our old grange into a complete processing facility that was inspected and approved by the state agriculture department. Every step of the way we’ve had to learn new skills and overcome obstacles in order to make our business our success and thankfully we have continue to steadily grow and gain a loyal following. Even now as we gear up for what will be our biggest holiday season yet and will make more eggnog then we have ever made before we know there will be difficulties and growing pains. Though it will all be wroth it and only make us better business owners as we continue to grow and expand over the coming months and years.

Can you share one of your favorite marketing or sales stories?

Something I always enjoy about selling our eggnog is when we are giving away free samples at holiday markets. Especially to the folks who say they hate eggnog or do not enjoy it. It has happened more times then I can count. Someone will come to our booth with their spouse or friend who actually enjoys eggnog and it knocks them off their feet by how good and unique our eggnog taste from what they have had before. They then turn to their friend, spouse or family member and urge them to try it as well. There is always push back with them saying “I hate eggnog” or ” I know I won’t like” and thats when I urge them as well and promise they won’t be disappointed if they just take one sip. They reluctantly take a sip and thats where the magic happens. Their entire faces changes and one can see the spark in their eyes as they try to figure out what was this that sweet beverage they just tasted. Then they start asking questions and wanting the whole story of how our product is made and why it taste so different from eggnog they’ve tried before. By the end of it they always end up buying a bottle or two as well and leave pleasantly surprised by the discovery they just made. Free samples have been key to making sure folks know how different our eggnog truly is.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecarolinaeggnogcompany?igsh=ZHQ1NGV6NGJia29r&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551383532051&mibextid=LQQJ4d