Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dwaine Hood. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Dwaine thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

As a young adult, I learned that you have to be adaptable. That quality has served me well. When I started distilling whiskey, I had lots of operations experience, but not in food and beverage. I dove headfirst into the industry, learning from mentors and tapping into my natural curiosity and willingness to experiment. My early focus groups were friends I
persuaded to sample my test products, which wasn’t hard to do. I learned how different distilling methods, varieties of
wood, and especially the quality of water influence the end product. Eventually, that experimentation grew to include fresh herbs, vegetables, and spices grown on the properties of Bull Creek Distillery as we began crafting artisan vodkas. Feedback from friends, customers, and those in the industry helped me hone my skill in the craft, and I am forever grateful to those who’ve encouraged me along the way. My goal has always been to create a hospitality experience that leaves a lasting impression and keeps folks coming back for more.

Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process?
I’d be much more proactive in reaching out to and learning from others in the industry. You don’t have to recreate the
basics. Distillers are special. They love to talk about the craft and share what works and doesn’t. They’re also excellent
sources of empowerment and encourage you to follow your own path. Taking advantage of that learning early on could
have accelerated our growth at Bull Creek, but it's a romance when it comes to distilling. It takes time, and it refuses to be rushed. While I treasure my mentors and friends, I know the products I’ve created have come from a place within me and are a form of self-expression. That’s true for every distiller and maker of spirits. You make beverages you enjoy, have nurtured, and spent hours of your life perfecting. It’s like a performer. You’re turning yourself and your creation over to the ideas and expectations of others. It’s a very vulnerable place.

What skills do you think were most essential?
Perseverance, courage, and humility. You don’t quit when obstacles come your way. Don’t be afraid of healthy competition. I can’t be intimidated by big brands like Blantons, Jim Bea, or Buffalo Traces. I learn from them and work hard to earn my place at the table. When obstacles come your way, and they will, you dig deep, tap into your inner strength and push forward. And always be aware that you are only as successful as the team surrounding you. Give props to those who help you every day. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. And realize that without your team, success will evaporate. Never forget those who have helped you along the way, and make an effort to do the same for others.

What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
Whenever you have a personal first, it’s not easy to find your cadence. You must be comfortable reaching out to those with knowledge who can help you but demonstrate ingenuity and simultaneously be proactive in your learning and
experimentation. Learning to embrace the unknowns that scare you is essential to overcoming obstacles. Be secure and step into those unknowns because you gain real growth.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

Bull Creek is an experience. It’s more than a restaurant, distillery, and event venue. It’s all those things and the people who weave the experience together, creating a space where our customers feel comfortable and happy. A place where they can hang out with friends, make new friends, listen to music, and stay for hours if they choose. Whether it’s a once-in-a-lifetime event or you’re a regular, you’re with family when you come to Bull Creek. We live to provide that atmosphere and enjoy making others feel welcome, giving them a respite from a world that can seem a bit crazy at times. I’m proud of the quality of our products, the merchandise we sell, and the experience we create. Seeing return customers and those visiting the area for the first time and watching how they all come together is the best feeling in the world.

We recently entered the New York International Spirits Competition, and our Distillers Cut received a Double Gold award and was recognized as the Kansas Distiller of the Year. That’s a fantastic recognition for us early in our journey. We also created a commemorative Barrel 42 bourbon for Kansas City Chief NFL Super Bowl Champion Anthony Sherman, which won Platinum at the Las Vegas Spirits Awards this year.

Inspiration can come from anywhere. And for us, it came from Spring Hill and Bull Creek, both of which run deep with small-town pride and everything that makes the Midwest one of the very best places on earth. We were sitting outside on the property on a summer evening, taking in the atmosphere and feeling connected to the land and each other. We talked about what it would look like if we could bottle that feeling, that atmosphere, and provide it for others. The Distillery and restaurant have grown and flourished as people respond to the Midwest's hospitality and flavors. We’ve never strayed from this vision. Everything we do and all that we create is a celebration of that feeling you get when you’re surrounded by friends, enjoying food, drinks, and music in the great outdoors, and for that moment in time, you’re able to live in the moment and enjoy life.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Personally, it was pivoting from a military career to working in the hospitality industry. Taking that operations experience and learned to tap into a creative side of myself I didn’t know existed. It could have been a very dark space for me and one in which I could have floundered. Family, friends, and a support system got me through those initial tough times as I moved into a new career and learned how to deploy my skills in a much different way.

In business, it was pivoting during covid. We had a distillery, but our restaurant and bar operations were impacted. So how
do you take the distillery process and equipment and put it to use during a pandemic? Create and bottle hand sanitizer. It
gave us focus, it gave us hope, and it pulled us through a very tough period when many restaurants were forced to close.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life…And Maybe the World

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bullcreekdistillery.com/
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