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

Hi Darrin , thanks for joining us today. Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?

I am 100% happy as a business owner. There are many elements to juggle and tasks that need to be completed each day. It can be very stressful at times but I never lose sight of the overarching goal of the company.

Emotional intelligence is key for me in business. I am able to identify certain traits and let go of the stressors that are out of my personal control. I also do not compare my business to others, as my business model is different and cannot truly be measured equally. While, yes, it is important to keep an eye on the competition, outside businesses are out of reach, so in this respect, making comparisons is never a benefit regarding my happiness.

For me, genuine satisfaction comes from seeing the support the company receives. We’ve landed distribution in the two largest markets for wine & spirits. We became a 3x award-winning brand and have accounts with major national retailers. This was all completed in the first year as a company. I could not be happier.

Darrin , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am a native of Jacksonville, Florida and proud graduate of Florida A&M University with a background in engineering. I discovered my entrepreneurial talent during my fourth year working as an Engineer. I was able to leverage my interests and passions, and transform them into successful businesses. I sought out ways to create a smooth premium whiskey that re-defines the culture and appeals to individuals like myself. With my technical background, I have always been fascinated with a variety of spirits and the process of distillation. It was through a family member who happens to be in the wine industry that helped fuel my passion, and ultimately led me to creating a new whiskey brand that I could enjoy with friends and share with others. DuBlasé is about celebrating life’s special moments with colleagues, family and friends with a sip of a fine whiskey. With DuBlasé, everyone can enjoy life’s unforgettable moments with a toast of a glass

We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.

Email correspondence, product giveaways, sponsorships and letters of appreciation are some of the ways we as a company keep in touch with our consumers and foster brand loyalty. We also engage with consumers via various social media platforms.

I would say my personal favorite things I do are moreso community based. I enjoy donating to schools, organizations and non-profits. And I also enjoy being a guest speaker at entrepreneurial or leadership events. What we do as a company is bigger than business. Having a true impact is what I believe in.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I think what helped build our reputation is building great relationships, having honest business practices and of course providing an award-winning product.

I approach business in a respectful manner. I support all brands. I know how hard it is to own a consumer product and what it takes to be successful. It is not easy. So rather than add negativity, I rather spread love and provide support. Emotional intelligence at its finest.

From the product side itself, its all about the consumer. We take our time to create a great product. We make a strong effort to ensure all of our retailers are happy with our brand. We do not claim something we are not and we always represent to the fullest.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.dublase.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dublasewhiskey
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dublase
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/dublasewhiskey

Image Credits
Twist & Tailor Rakimism