Today we’d like to introduce you to Joe Lordon.
Hi Joe, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Back in 2013 I was living down in Nashville, TN building guitars at Gibson Guitars. My then-girlfriend (now-wife) Erica was living in Metro Detroit and we decided that one of us was going to move so we could get past the long-distance phase of our relationship. I loved where I lived and what I was doing for work, so initially the plan was for her to re-locate south. She asked that I at least apply to a few places in Michigan, even if I was unqualified for the positions, and if nothing came of the applications then so be it. I told her that the only way I would move back home to Michigan at that time would be if I landed a job making booze. I ended up applying to pretty much every brewery, winery, and distillery that I could find in the state. I ended up getting a call from Two James Spirits in Corktown, Detroit in late winter of 2014 and took an entry level position there. I moved back up in May of 2014 and began working there for $10/hr, 10-20 hours per week. I had no experience in the distilling industry, so to start they pretty much only called me in when they needed equipment or floors cleaned. Over the next several months I asked a lot of questions, said yes to every opportunity to learn more about the process, and eventually took on a more consistent role as a production assistant. By Thanksgiving of 2016 I became the Head Distiller and Production Manager. Over the next five years we produced many award winning spirits and I was able to get a lot of industry experience outside of simply making the spirits. I left Two James in winter of 2022 and eventually started up Lone Light Spirits. The first step was getting the production building up and running in Ferndale, which is where all distilling, blending, and bottling take place. I then partnered with Imperial Beverage to distribute products throughout the state of Michigan. The next step was finding a location for our tasting room, which is essentially a full cocktail bar using all of our own spirits. Downtown Farmington ended up being the perfect spot to land, with a community that is very supportive of small businesses, as well as the Syndicate social district which allows customers to purchase drinks to go and walk around the downtown district with them. Our tasting room is set to open this summer, and I couldn’t be more excited to take Lone Light Spirits to new heights.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not even close. Although I have a good amount of experience running a distillery there have been many other parts of starting and running a business that I had to learn on the fly. The first real challenge was finding equity partners to fund the buildout of the production space. I had no experience sitting in front of potential investors with a business plan and pro forma financials pitching a business that was still in the idea phase, then asking them to buy in. It was something that made me incredibly uncomfortable, but it was a necessary part of getting started. From there I dove into the commercial real estate market, which was another area I had no experience with. It was not as simple as finding a vacant building for lease that was the right size and price. I had to navigate all of the unique code and zoning considerations for each municipality I considered, find a space that would work, ensure the landlord and I were a good fit, etc. Lease negotiations, working with certain city officials/inspectors, and many other speedbumps appeared throughout this process, but we’ve been able to keep on going this whole time.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Lone Light Spirits is a craft spirits brand with a distillery based in Ferndale and a tasting room located in the heart of Downtown Farmington. We currently produce vodka, gin, bourbon finished in mead (honey wine) barrels, and coffee liqueur in partnership with our neighbors, Ground Control Coffee Roasters, which are all available at bars and restaurants across the state of Michigan. You can locate establishments that carry our products using the “Find Our Spirits” map on our website, www.lonelightspirits.com We will also be distributing a Caribbean style rum very soon, as well as offering a variety of products that will be exclusive to our tasting room location.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success to me is creating a great family life at home while doing my best every day to build a company that is a positive member the communities we exist in, all while sticking to my personal values.
Pricing:
- Vodka – $24.99
- Gin – $29.99
- Coffee Liqueur – $29.99
- Bourbon – $49.99
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lonelightspirits.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lonelightspirits/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LoneLightSpirits/
