We were lucky to catch up with Julia Bringolf recently and have shared our conversation below.

Julia, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear your thoughts about family businesses.

Those who chose to work within a family business is a special breed of people. Family dinners become something a little different. I have always approached it as a commitment. I am committing to the legacy of this business that has been run and operated by the generation before me. It’s a commitment I don’t take lightly and would never expect my children to make unless they feel the same drive and passion as I do for the business. I expect my children to work in the business, but more on a level of first job to learn the disciplines you would at any job. Taking a leadership role in the organization is on a different level though, they should not have the role simply because they are one of my children. They should love the work, desire to do it, and have an aptitude for it.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I execute two roles within the entire operation. I am an executive vice president at Royal Bluff Orchards, a 500+ acre organic apple orchard in central Washington. The fruit we grow gets shipped and sold all over the world. We have spent the last 10 years growing in acreage and expanding production. This year we are harvesting roughly 10 million pounds of apples. At full production we will farm about 16 million pounds of apples.

The other role I serve is executive leadership for the startup Cash Butte Distillery. Cash Butte takes the apples from Royal Bluff that would get sorted out due to unmarketability and we make a brandy, a vodka, and are working on the development of a gin. The entire process is done on site where the apples are grown. We crush the fruit on site before the fermentation and distillation process. After several years of development, the products were launched this summer. We have experienced an overwhelmingly positive response to both of our products. Apple brandy can be a difficult product to do. I know I am biased, but I think we have done an exceptional job. We want to tell the story that brings a remembrance of history with our product, when the common beverage of choice was brandy, not whiskey. We love that what is not being sold as a fresh piece of fruit in your hand, is crafted into a beautiful and dynamic spirit that will be consumed in times of community or celebration.

The distillery gives such a unique opportunity to tell the story of the orchard overall. I love the symmetry of storytelling that both have when telling the story together.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I have expeienced prejiduces from some people within the organization because they didn’t believe I earned my place at the table. I have endured snide and rude remarks in one on one conversations and public meetings. It has tested my composure in high pressure situations. It has taught me to not react but respond thoughtfully and respectfully regardless of how I am being treated. Leadership is about serving, both the organization and your people. Unhealthy conflict doesn’t serve, it only subtracts.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

It seems simple, but a level head and lots of encouragement. Both of my teams love a hands-on approach. I love being in the orchard or helping on a bottling day. It’s been really important to tell and show each employee how they are appreciated in the operation overall.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.royalblufforchards.com www.cashbuttedistillery.com
• Instagram: cashbuttedistillery

Image Credits
Christian Bringolf Kate Baldwin