We recently connected with Shannon Jackson and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Shannon thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you tell us a bit about who your hero is and the influence they’ve had on you?

I have several heroes in life who have created the person I am today. The most important one is my husband, Bobby Jackson. He has played a crucial role in what I do now by motivating me and seeing potential in me, that I didn’t see. He continues to support me and be the best teammate in life and work. Without him, I defiantly wouldn’t be where I am today. My kids, Kayla, Marianne, and Bobby are also inspiring to me. I’m not the best. I haven’t been in a while, but they continue to show me how not to give up. There’s my mentor in life, Dr. Chef Victor Matthews. He’s a crazy person, but he stepped up his game when he took a risk with me. He continues to express his love and support for me. Also, he shares his vast knowledge with me and gives me opportunities. I would be nowhere without him. I am lucky to have him in my life. When a person has been gone for a long time, it can be hard to know what they would think of your work. In my case, I know that my father would be proud of what I do. He taught me to lighten up and have fun, as life is too short to be serious all the time. I feel this has been a valuable lesson in my career because it keeps me focused on my goals while remaining positive and happy. As someone who is in the culinary and bar industry, you can’t be serious or you’re going to lose your mind. In the industry of food and bar, people are very opinionated. If you let them influence your decisions, you will fail. Take Grandpa Joe (Bobby’s Grandfather) for example. He was a champion and taught me to be fearless and to go after my dreams. He also taught me how important family is and how to treat people right. My father and Grandpa Joe were both wonderful people. I am very lucky to have them in my life. And everyone else has helped me too, in their own way. Without a great family and support system, it would be much more difficult to achieve my dreams. I choose to surround myself with the best people so that I can be the best version of myself possible.

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

Excellent question! I’ll start with the beginning. I entered the field in 2016. I was an average student at Paragon culinary school, and my home business was called Shenanigans Cupcakes. My goal was to learn more about baking and pastry and help advance my home business. Chef Victor Matthews, the founder of both the Black Bear Distillery and the culinary school, asked me to help out with events. This happened shortly after I started my culinary education. While working at events for Black Bear Distillery, I noticed a passion for spirits and an interest in distilling. I began to take an interest in both the food and drink industry and moved from event staff to also manage social media for both Paragon Culinary and Black Bear. By this time, I’d closed down Shenanigans Cupcakes, but I was still inspired by baking and pastry. I decided to channel this passion into the spirit world. In 2019, I graduated from Paragon. I then got a line cook position at the Wobbly Olive. Within that same year, my signature dish from culinary school was placed on the menu.I am very proud of my work with Chef Victor Matthews. In early 2019, I was working as the bartender at Black Bear Distillery and was learning the art of bartending from Chef Matthews, who worked as a bartender in New Orleans.I was elected to the Board of the Colorado Distiller’s Guild, where I served for two years. I began to work hard and notice that I was really passionate about not only distilling but cocktails. I realized that this passion of mine combined my culinary and spirits knowledge. In no time I became the bar manager for the tasting room at the Black Bear Distillery, my current position i hold… As far as Paragon, I’m still managing the social media page however additionally last year gained the position of Admin Assistant. I am presently writing a cocktail book with additionally opening a business with my husband, Bobby Jackson, that will be located in Woodland Park, Colorado called Belmont Whisky House. As I have made this venture I am glad for individuals who have shared their insight, so I can find success yet, in addition, share it with others. There are two things I tell understudies, Knowledge is power and having an incredible emotionally supportive network. Those things are the most significant. As you can see I address a huge load of various brands however keep on growing my insight day today. Each brand is different yet consolidated in an insane manner. To start with, Black Bear Distillery, a little craft distillery situated in Green Mountain Falls, produces grain to glass spirits from Moonshine, Rum, Caribbean Whiskey to Irish-style Bourbon. Then there is Paragon Culinary School, situated in Manitou Springs, Colorado inside the Briarhurst Manor, a first-class culinary school, that gives a Yearlong program, that shows you from Foundations, Baking& Pastries, Wine& Service, to progressing to Masters Class. Belmont Whisky House which is as yet under development however will be opening ideally summer of 2022 will be a whisky house giving pours/glasses of Whiskeys, Scotch, Cognac, Wine, and Beer not found in other Bars and Restaurants. No cocktails except for embracing the historical backdrop of Woodland Park. while giving you a calm spot to unwind and an encounter. What sets me apart is simply unadulterated wildness, some other individual could have gone crazy however being a believer of Jesus, I observe that he has given me bountiful of solidarity to not go crazy and complete my pure enthusiasm,

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

Well, Social Media… Facebook and Instagram, in the last few months Google business has begin to climb.

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

There are tons of resources i would recommend.

1. Attend Paragon Culinary School
2. Trader Vic Books
3. Dale Degroff Books and Class
4.If you’re in the industry joining the Bartender Guild
5. Talk to people in the industry, establish a relationship with them
6. The Craft of the Cocktail
You could contact me, I am very much into teaching people, as one of the things I do is teach cocktail class as well as history of cocktails or move forward into your career.

Contact Info:

• Website: BlackBearDistillery.com. ParagonCulinarySchool.com
• Instagram: @black_bear_distillery, @paragonculinaryschool, @sjcocktailswithclass
• Facebook: @blackbeardistillery, @paragonculinaryschool, @belmontwhiskyhouse, @shannonjackson

Image Credits
bar and cocktail photos by Bob Jackson