Contact:
Natalie Walston 614-315-4697
natalie@walstongroupllc.com

                        Shanes Gourmet embarks on a new entertainment venue
                     The catering company has added a lineup of entertainment beyond dinner theatre

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Shanes Gourmet near German Village is known for its quality catering in Central Ohio since 1974. Shanes added entertainment to the menu when it partnered with the Cloak & Dagger Dinner Theatre (the longest running Central Ohio dinner theater Group) in 2011 to its facility off Livingston Avenue. This year, Shanes is moving beyond mystery dinner theatre in opening up the facility as a full-time entertainment venue. The lineup of acts includes improv comedy, stand-up comedy emceed by Johnny DiLoretto, bingo, salsa dancing nights and more.

“We are building on what everyone loved about Cloak & Dagger,” said Steve Emerson, writer and director for Cloak & Dagger. “Only now we will perform new material that goes beyond murder mysteries. We’re looking at adding fresh new forms of entertainment to Shanes.”

On nights that Cloak & Dagger shows aren’t scheduled, Shanes is inviting performers for “something beyond dinner theatre,” said General Manager Scott Morit. “With traditional dinner theatre the ticket price covers dinner and a show. While that is here to stay, other nights you can stop in and catch a variety of shows, enjoy some drinks and a light bar menu.”

Shanes stresses that the new venue will focus on seven-day-a-week entertainment schedule. Renovations at 447 E. Livingston Ave. include a permanent stage, theater lighting, and a new sound system.

“We had a gourmet market/catering company,” Morit said. “We will still offer the same excellent food and catering service, we’re evolving into an entertainment venue to offer more options to the great customer base we have enjoyed.”

One of our current shows is “Mayhem at the 5 Aces Casino,” a mystery set in the Kansas Territory in 1858. The show is interactive with a fake gambling parlor that opens prior to the show.

For more information or for tickets, visit: http://www.cloakdagger.com/ or call 614-842-CLUE (2583).

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Contacts:

Brady Konya
614.299.2460 brady.konya@middlewestspirits.com

Natalie Walston
614.315.4697 natalie@walstongroupllc.com

Middle West Spirits’ new OYO Bourbon Whiskey product launch is Oct. 29
The special OYO Bourbon Whiskey, Michelone Reserve is a tribute to family traditions

COLUMBUS, OH –OYO Bourbon Whiskey, Michelone Reserve is the latest spirit in a line of products from the Columbus, Ohio based Middle West Spirits (MWS).

Borrowing from the great traditions of century old European production, the Michelone Reserve is Middle West’s first Masters Blend, a recipe derived from combining whiskey traditions originating in both Ohio and Kentucky.  The release of the OYO Bourbon Whiskey artfully blends MIddle West’s flagship OYO (wheat) Whiskey with a classic Kentucky straight bourbon, resulting in a wheated bourbon whiskey that balances the unique character and heritage of two distinctive spirits. The 90-proof Bourbon Whiskey contains a mashbill of corn, wheat, rye, and barley.

Named after Ronald Julius Michelone, the reserve bourbon was designed as a tribute to MWS’s Co-Owner Ryan Lang’s grandfather “Pap” for his influence and inspiration in both the building of the distillery, and the traditions MWS uses today in the production of their whiskeys.

“As a memory to my grandfather, we’ve created a bourbon in his honor, but added our own signature twist — the distinctive and recognizable flavor profile of Ohio’s soft red winter wheat,” Lang said.  “It’s the best blending of two worlds, and I know it made him proud.”

Prior to the official statewide launch of the Bourbon Whiskey, MWS is unveiling a limited edition Distiller’s Release of the product on Monday, Oct. 29, the night of the full Hunter’s Moon at their Short North distillery. Details of the launch, and the chance to enter to attend the event, will be announced on MWS’s Facebook page the week before the celebration. The OYO Bourbon Whiskey launch event will play a dual role as Middle West’s second annual kickoff to the Movember campaign, an international month-long campaign designed to raise awareness of men’s health issues (particularly prostate cancer).

OYO Bourbon Whiskey will be available for purchase in Ohio on November 15th, at both the distillery and approximately 50 state liquor agencies in Columbus, Cleveland and Cincinnati.

About Middle West Spirits

Middle West Spirits (MWS) is Central Ohio’s first micro-distillery since Prohibition.  Located in the Short North Arts District of Ohio’s capital city, the 3,200-sq.-ft. boutique distillery produces world-class, artisanal spirits from scratch using only the best ingredients sourced from farms across Ohio and the mid-west.

OYO, MWS’s line of premium artisan spirits, are named after the original word for the Ohio River Valley (“O-Why- O”) and are smooth, full-bodied spirits with immense character, distinctively reflective of their Ohio origins. Made from local, soft red winter wheat, OYO spirits demonstrate a perfect balance of cutting-edge technology, old-world traditions, and the finest, farm- fresh Ohio ingredients. The result is a line of vodkas and whiskeys that comfortably sit shoulder to shoulder with the finest spirits in the world.

OYO Vodka, OYO Honey Vanilla Bean Vodka, OYO Whiskey, OYO Stone Fruit Vodka and soon OYO Bourbon Whiskey can be found in state liquor agencies and restaurants throughout Ohio, Kentucky, Georgia, Florida, Pennsylvania, Washington DC, and Maryland, as well as at Middle West Spirits’ retail shop: 1230 Courtland Ave, Columbus OH 43201.

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For Immediate Release July 20, 2012

Contact:

Shelley Mann
SMann@dispatch.com

Crave Magazine’s Farm to Plate Week Touts Farm-Fresh Menus

 Close to 40 Local Restaurants Participating; Special Events Planned

COLUMBUS, OH – More and more diners are paying attention to where their food comes from, and many of the restaurants in Columbus’ vibrant dining scene take pride in sourcing seasonal ingredients from local farms: tomatoes fresh off the vines and sugar snap peas grown close to home.

From August 10-19, Crave, the premiere Columbus dining magazine, is showcasing upwards of forty Columbus-area restaurants that are celebrating farm-fresh dining by offering special price-fixed menus, highlighting fare containing at least 70% locally grown ingredients. The restaurants are working with local farms to use their produce and meat as part of the offerings.

“Lots of restaurants in Columbus are dedicated to the locavore movement, working directly with local farmers to provide diners with the best, freshest ingredients,” said Crave Editor Shelley Mann. “Other chefs and owners have been interested, but haven’t sourced local ingredients before. We’re helping match those restaurants with local farms, and they’re very excited to be buying local spices, beef, chicken and fruits and veggies.”

The Worthington Inn is no stranger to working with local farms. But, during Farm to Plate Week, Chef Thomas Smith has created a special menu featuring dusted Lake Erie walleye with Blacklick Acre’s swiss chard, lemon-black pepper gnocchi with chef-grown horseradish Amish butter.

Farm to Plate will culminate with cooking demonstrations at 10TV’s Health & Fitness Expo on Sunday, August 19. CORA, Central Ohio Restaurant Association, is the lead sponsor of Farm to Plate and will be providing many of the local chefs who will be cooking that day.

In addition, Crave is collaborating with Local Matters, the non-profit local foods organization, on a number of educational events during Farm to Plate week. Supporting sponsors of Farm to Plate week include Buckeye Vodka, Food Hop, Firelands Winery, Velvet-View Farmstead, A Catered Affair and the Ohio Restaurant Association. It also includes a working partnership with OpenTable.com. The full schedule of sponsors and participating restaurant can be located at cravefarmtoplate.com. A sampling of those restaurants are listed below:

Downtown

De No-Vo

89 Fish and Grill

Latitude 41

Short North

Tasi

Rigsby’s

Hubbard Grille

Deepwood Restaurant

L’Antibes

Basi Italia

Haiku

Mojoe Lounge

OSU Campus-area

El Vaquero

Till Dynamic Fare

Commonwealth Sandwich Bar

Upper Arlington

Cuco’s Mexican Taqueria

Big Fat Greek Kuzina

Gallo’s Kitchen & Bar

Moretti’s of Arlington

Northwest Side

Refectory

AOI Blue Bar

San-Su Korean BBQ
Chile Verde

Nicola Restaurant and Bar

Polaris

Polaris Grill

Fisherman’s Wharf

Blue Agave

Worthington

Worthington Inn

Old Town East

Black Creek Bistro

East – Reynoldsburg

Pies Gourmet Pizza Bistro

Bexley

Barrel 44
The Top Steakhouse

German Village

G. Michael’s

Skillet

Explorers Club

T. Murray’s Bar and Kitchen

Barcelona

Dublin

Tucci’s

Mary Kelley’s

Delaware

1808 American Bistro

Powell

Local Roots

Grandview

Z Cucina
Clintonville

Giorgio Italian Restaurant

For more information, contact:
Natalie Walston, 614-315-4697

The Franklin County Fair:
“Celebrating 95 Years of Fun” from July 14-21

(HILLIARD, OH) –The Franklin County Fair kicks off July 14^th with new attractions and familiar family traditions. Be a part of history by “Celebrating 95 Years of Fun” at one of the oldest fairs in the state of Ohio that turns 95 just as Columbus celebrates its bicentennial. The fair is much-loved family event that has all the great traditions of delicious foods, entertianment, and rides.

Highlights of the fair include NTPA Truck and Tractor Pulls, a dog show, circus acts, and Franklin County’s Idol Contest to find the best singers and performers. All week, local musical acts will play country, bluegrass, gospel, and classic oldies in the entertainment tent.

The Fantazia Circus will leave fair goers at the edge of their seats and ready to come back for more.  Their variety of acts include the flying trapeze, the Globe of Death, sword balancing, juggling, hula hoops, and a comedy clown.

Exhibits will offer visitors the opportunity to experience and learn about the county’s best in the agricultural and horticultural worlds. Kids will show off their talents and hard work in 4-H exhibits and livestock shows. Activities and entertainment include Jr. Fair Dutch oven cooking, a veggie/fruit car derby, horse shows and other contests with blue-ribbon winners.

Contests are open to all Franklin County residents include the truck pull, tractor pulls, demolition derby, Franklin Coutny Idol and the Runway on the Midway Fashion Show.  Details on those events and how to enter can be found at www.fcfair.org.

Gates open at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 14, with ribbon cutting opening ceremony at noon, and last into the night with gates closing at 11 p.m.  The rest of the week’s hours will be:

• Sunday July 15 – Thursday July 19:  9 a.m. – 10 p.m.
• Friday July 20 & Saturday July 21:  9 a.m. – 11 p.m.

More activities at the 2012 Franklin County Fair will be*:

• A Fair Chance dog show: This dog show is a chance for rescue and animal shelter groups to showcase dogs that are up for adoption. The audience can chose the cutest dog and meet with agencies to learn more about adopting a dog and possibly begin the adoption process!
• No Joe’s Clown Circus: Come one, come all and see three full rings of fun for the entire family! Amazing acts such as the 35′ Wheel of Adventure, Wire Walking, Juggling, and Balancing.
• Dr. Insecta Bug: Here for a few days only – experience real “entomology magic” as Dr. Insecta introduces you to some of the largest live insects on the planet.
• NTPA Truck and Tractor Pulls: The oldest and most respected sanctioning body of truck and tractor pulling, featuring the top drivers & primer events from across the US.
• Franklin County Idol Contest: The fifth year for this singing competition where youth and teens compete to be the best singer at the fair.
• Franklin County Fair’s Runway on the Midway Fashion/Model Contest presented by KidsLinked.com: New to the fair this year, a fashion and modeling contest for kids 18 years of age and younger. Multiple audition sites will be held around Columbus in advance of the fair, leading up to the finals during the Fair. Exciting awards including a $500 savings bond for first place.
• Only Takes a Minute to Win-It: This family-friendly event will feature “Minute to Win It” style events for the whole family to test. Based on your level of success at the tasks, participants can earn prizes. Open to fairgoers of all ages and is guaranteed to feature fun, laughs, and family friendly entertainment.

 *Check the Franklin County Fair Schedule online at www.fcfair.org  for dates and times for various activities.

About the Franklin County Fair

Averaging more than 45,000 people in attendance annually, the Franklin County Fair will take place at the Franklin County Fairgrounds from July 14 to 21. General admission is $5 ($6 on July 22 and 23) and rides range from $10 to $15 for a day pass or $1/ticket (number of tickets required per ride varies; typically three tickets for adults and two for children). Tickets can be purchased at the gate. For more information, visit www.fcfair.org. At 95 years running, the Franklin County Fair is one of the oldest county fair traditions in Ohio. Today the event continues to present old-fashioned fun in traditional county fair surroundings.

Contacts:
Natalie Walston
614.315-4697
natalie@walstongroupllc.com

Canola continues to dominate Canadian oilseed export crops
Commodity analysts still see chances for growth in the crop in the U.S.

BOSTON,  May 30, 2012 –  The market for canola is still growing as Canada is shipping the oil and high-protein animal meal in record-high volumes. Canada continues to be the world’s leading producer and exporter of canola, which is the number one oilseed commodity crop produced in Canada.

According to the Canadian Grains Commission, the first few months of shipments in 2011/2012 have been very brisk. Statistics show that Canada exported 7.3 million tonnes of canola in 2010/2011, one of the highest volumes on record.

“At the heart of it is strong global demand for vegetable oil,” said Philippe de Lapérouse, Director of HighQuest Partners’ Global Food and Agribusiness Practice in St. Louis.

Canadian scientists developed canola from rapeseed, an oilseed plant. Canola, which has less eruric acid — is highly sought after for cooking oil.

“Exports for canola meal are increasing as population and wealth grows in areas such as India and China – and populations are improving their diets,” Lapérouse said.

However, the United States is the biggest export market for Canadian canola as demand grows for non- transfat cooking oils and soybean-based biodiesel production in the United States increases.

“The 2011 canola crop was of a fairly high quality. Of the 1749 samples we analyzed, 87.8% were graded as No. 1,” explains Véronique Barthet, Program Manager of Oilseeds for the Canadian Grain Commission’s Grain Research Laboratory.

 As demand for canola grows, this could be a good time for investment in growing the plant in the United States. With strong demand and extensive imports from Canada, this creates  opportunities for U.S. farmers to grow the crop.

HighQuest Partners/Soyatech is holding its seventh annual oilseed/grain/veg oil trade conference in New Orleans this Sept 17-19, 2012, for those engaged in commodity purchasing or risk management. This conference includes an exhibition floor with 140 booths of suppliers, and industry tours for those interested in seeing U.S. grain processing and transportation infrastructure in action.  Attendees will learn about the complete value chain through terrific content focused on supply/demand, harvest quality, commodity risk management and transport, and an “End User” panel of food/food service/feed buyers.  See more at www.soyandgraintrade.com *To register, use promo code VIP-NW.

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The Biggest Shift

Social media is becoming a mandate for brand managers. Looking at the way consumption of the medium is, it makes sense for companies to use social media to reach where the customers are: on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook.

Perhaps the easiest social media platform for companies to adapt to immediately is Facebook.

The infographic called The Biggest Shift shows that Facebook usage is still rapidly growing, with 3.5 billion pieces of content added each day.

You may see Facebook as a bunch of status updates from friends telling you where they’re going or complaining about the weather or showcasing their photos. This is all fun (and/or annoying) and social, yet major brands and small businesses alike are using Facebook as an advertising tool in place of or in addition to more expensive branding campaigns on television, radio and in printed publications.

A couple of the top brands on Facebook (there is a long list including Starbucks, Converse and Red Bull — you get the hint: popular, fun products):

Coca Cola: 41 million likes on Facebook. They have fun, engaging content.
Disney:   Close to 36 million like this page. But, hey, it’s the happiest place on earth to be, right?

So what about your business? You’re not a mega company, and you have serious points that you would like your audience to learn about and engage in through social media. Take a look at what others are doing:

Kindred Healthcare in Louisville, Kentucky has a very comprehensive Facebook page with close to 16,000 likes. While the hospital system announces events on the page, it also tells personal stories of how the company has helped people through cancer treatments or rehabilitation after surgery.  The Facebook page is updated with interviews from healthcare workers explaining how they do their jobs — and this is the meaning of social media, to connect (albeit electronically) people to other people. People who need a business want to connect with other people in business. In fact, the cover photo on their Facebook page says it all: it’s a smiling woman in a hospital bed. She’s happy with her stay at Kindred and you leave the page with the feeling that you will, too.

On a larger scope, or if you are a public company or an association that has to interact with board members and affiliates, you can learn from Johnson & Johnson.

Johnson & Johnson has attracted 30, 225 people to its Facebook page to network with its shareholders and companies. The news updates range from quarterly earnings to touting their support for Safe Kids USA. This is a very interactive way for employees and business partners to be involved and share news from Johnson & Johnson on their Facebook pages or linked Twitter accounts as well, so the message of what the company is doing can lead to an endless number of impressions, or views, online.

While The Walston Group, LLC  prides itself on having strong media ties, we also use social media to help clients connect to customers, lawmakers, business partners and constituents. It’s important that your message be taken to the people, rather than wait for them to surf to your website. While you’re busy doing what you do, a PR firm can let the world know what you do.

The Walston Group, LLC offers:

• An online presence to monitor your brand and competitors
• Blogs that explain your company, your mission, your product, your brand
• Facilitated content as determined by your company
• Social media staffing on Twitter and Facebook

For more information, email Natalie Walston or call by clicking here.

Media Training: How to use the media to your business advantage 

Do you ever wonder why some businesses get interviewed on local TV stations when you’re an expert in the same field? Or, you may tremble at the thought of a reporter calling, even if the call could help your local business.

Natalie Walston, a veteran of newspaper, radio and television news in Central Ohio owns a company that helps clients not only get media coverage, but become aces at being interviewed. Natalie is CEO of The Walston Group, LLC, a public relations, crisis communications and publicity firm that boasts clients such as nationally-known comedian Drew Hastings.

Join Natalie and FOX 28′s Good Day Columbus reporter Johnny DiLoretto for a brown bag lunch that will teach you how to do a great interview, what to expect from reporters and how to promote your expertise and your business knowledge to help you get the news coverage that brings in clients.

FOX28 Reporter Johnny DiLoretto

This event is open to the public. Lunch will be provided for the lunch and learn to be held on Thursday, March 22 at Indiana Wesleyan University, 3455 Mill Run Drive, Suite 200 in Hilliard from 11:15 am-1:00 pm.

Reservations need to be made by Tuesday, March 20.  The cost is $50 for Hilliard Chamber members and $60 for non-members.

Any reservations made by members after the RSVP date and walk-in registrations will be charged the higher non-member rate if we are able to accommodate them. 

To register, go to: http://www.hilliardchamber.org/

Contacts:
Brady Konya
614.299.2460 brady.konya@middlewestspirits.com

Natalie Walston
614.315.4697 natalie@walstongroupllc.com

Middle West Spirits to expand production facility
The Short North micro-distillery will double production capacity for vodkas, whiskey

COLUMBUS, OH, February 20, 2012 – Middle West Spirits (MWS), which produces the OYO brand of vodkas and whiskey in the Short North district of Columbus, is expanding its urban micro-distillery to include an additional 4200 square feet.

MWS is increasing the size of its facility to focus on producing dark spirits, such as whiskey. The extra space behind the current facility will allow the company to add new production equipment as well as allow for onsite storage of product reserves. Construction will begin March 1.

“We’ve been distilling our product onsite for two years occupying about 3200 square feet,” said MWS Co-Founder Brady Konya. “Demand for our artisan OYO products has grown so quickly, we’ve outgrown our current space in less than 18 months. Currently we distill, bottle and ship our spirits in a facility that also includes office space and a retail area. We really need 8000-9000 square feet to meet the growing demand.”

Konya said the expansion coincides with an investment in new production equipment that will double the plant ‘s capacity to produce its popular line of vodkas and whiskeys moving into 2012. OYO products can now be found in five markets outside of Ohio, including:  Kentucky, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Washington D.C., and Maryland, with plans to expand into Florida and Indiana later this summer.

“Micro distilleries such as ours have to increase production and distribution outside of our local markets to ensure minimum economies of scale,” Konya said. “Highly regressive tax structures at both the state and federal levels, make it incredibly difficult to produce and distribute spirits locally and still make a profit. The federal excise tax for distilleries is 17 times that of a microbrewery or small winery – which also enjoy graduated tax schedules based on production volume.  The tax we pay on each bottle is four times the cost to produce the product itself, and exceeds the entire cost of overhead to run and operate the company.”

MWS is in favor of federal legislation, H.R. 777 that would level the playing field for micro distilleries and allow for some relief from excessive taxation. The excise tax does not apply to some larger distilleries and other similar size wineries.

“We’re thrilled to see an increase in the demand for our products, and will work closely with state and federal officials to reconstruct a set of common sense regulatory and tax requirements that eliminate unnecessary taxes for small business like ours.”

About Middle West Spirits

Middle West Spirits (MWS) is Central Ohio’s first micro-distillery since Prohibition.  Located in the Short North Arts District of Ohio’s capital city, the 3,200-sq.-ft. boutique distillery produces world-class, artisanal spirits from scratch using only the best ingredients sourced from farms across Ohio.
OYO, MWS’s line of premium artisan spirits, are named after the original word for the Ohio River Valley (“O-Why- O”) and are a collection of smooth, full-bodied spirits with immense character, distinctively reflective of their Ohio origins. Made from local, soft red winter wheat, OYO spirits demonstrate a perfect balance of cutting-edge technology, old-world traditions, and the finest, farm- fresh Ohio ingredients. The result is a line of vodkas and whiskeys that comfortably sit shoulder to shoulder with the finest spirits in the world.

OYO Vodka, OYO Honey Vanilla Bean Vodka, OYO Whiskey, and now, OYO Stone Fruit Vodka, can be found in state liquor agencies and restaurants throughout Ohio, Kentucky, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Washington DC, as well as at Middle West Spirits’ retail shop and website: 1230 Courtland Ave, Columbus OH 43201 – www.middlewestspirits.com

]]> http://walstongroupllc.com/2012/02/20/middle-west-spirits-to-expand-production-facility/feed/ 0 http://walstongroupllc.com/2012/02/06/middle-west-spirits-micro-distillers-urge-congress-to-cut-excise-tax/ http://walstongroupllc.com/2012/02/06/middle-west-spirits-micro-distillers-urge-congress-to-cut-excise-tax/#comments Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:18:21 +0000 Natalie http://walstongroupllc.com/?p=304 Continue reading →]]> Press Release | For Immediate Release 2-6-12

Contacts:
Brady Konya
614.299.2460 brady.konya@middlewestspirits.com

Natalie Walston
614.315.4697 natalie@walstongroupllc.com

Middle West Spirits, U.S. micro distillers urge Congress to create jobs
Federal legislation would provide relief from the excise tax

 
COLUMBUS, OH, February 6, 2012 – America’s small spirits makers are ready to hire more than 600 full-time employees and invest $16 million into new equipment in 2012 if a proposed excise tax reduction bill, H.R. 777, becomes law, according to a recent survey of its members by the American Distilling Institute.

The legislation calls for a relief of the excise tax that can hinder small businesses.

“We are slapped with a steep federal excise tax when we PRODUCE our products, not when we sell them,” said Middle West Spirits’ Co-Owner Brady Konya. “The money saved from reducing this tax would allow us to immediately hire more people as we continue to invest in the expansion of our distillery in downtown Columbus. When you add up all the numbers, our federal excise tax liability actually costs us more per bottle than it costs to produce the product itself.”

Middle West Spirits, located in the Short North in Columbus, is an artisan micro distillery that makes the OYO brand of vodka, vodka infusions, and whiskey. The company has recently announced plans to expand production, which means more jobs in Central Ohio.

“We’re happy that Congressman Steve Stivers (R-OH) understands this issue but we need more support to see legislation come to fruition,” Konya said.

The Small Distillery Excise Tax Act (H.R. 777) seeks to reduce the federal excise tax rate for small-scale distilled spirits makers, mirroring the current reduced tiers for small beer and wine producers. The American Distilling Institute contends that passing the bill would not only help distillers across the nation to grow and hire, but it would also benefit large numbers of American businesses that support micro distillers, such as farmers, equipment, and packaging manufacturers as well as welders, mechanics, plumbers and electricians that facilitate daily operation.

“Micro distilleries, which have sprung up in nearly every state, are primed to expand and revive one of America’s heritage industries dating back to the founding fathers,” said Bill Owens, chairman of The American Distilling Institute. “But they need excise tax relief, similar to previous changes that helped spur the tremendous growth of small wineries and microbrewers decades ago.”

Late last year, American Distilling Institute asked the nation’s 300 plus micro distillers how they would invest the anticipated $1.71 per bottle in savings from H.R. 777. The respondents said that they would hire an average of 2.1 full-time employees and purchase $54,111 of new equipment. At the full industry’s scale, that would translate to 623 new full-time jobs and $16 million of new capital investment.

“We ask Congress and President Obama to pass HR 777 into law this year so our members can continue to grow and create more American manufacturing jobs.  We know it works, we’ve seen it with micro-brewers and small wineries boom over the past two decades,” said Owens

H.R. 777 is sponsored by Representative Maurice Hinchey (NY) and co-sponsored by Representatives Mica (FL), Michaud (ME), Rahall (WV), Pingee (ME), Stivers (OH) and Terry (NE). The bill is currently in review in the House Ways and Means Committee.

About Middle West Spirits

Middle West Spirits (MWS) is Central Ohio’s first micro-distillery since Prohibition.  Located in the Short North Arts District of Ohio’s capital city, the 3,200-sq.-ft. boutique distillery produces world-class, artisanal spirits from scratch using only the best ingredients sourced from farms across Ohio.

OYO, MWS’s line of premium artisan spirits, are named after the original word for the Ohio River Valley (“O-Why- O”) and are smooth, full-bodied spirits with immense character, distinctively reflective of their Ohio origins. Made from local, soft red winter wheat, OYO spirits demonstrate a perfect balance of cutting-edge technology, old-world traditions, and the finest, farm- fresh Ohio ingredients. The result is a line of vodkas and whiskeys that comfortably sit shoulder to shoulder with the finest spirits in the world.

OYO Vodka, OYO Honey Vanilla Bean Vodka, OYO Whiskey, and now, OYO
Stone Fruit Vodka, can be found in state liquor agencies and restaurants throughout Ohio, Kentucky and Georgia, as well as at Middle West Spirits’ retail shop: 1230 Courtland Ave, Columbus OH 43201.

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And then store clerks began asking for my email.  Well, not asking, but sort of demanding as if you had to give our email address in order to purchase an item. Many stores sold my email (and your email) to other stores and so on and so forth. The emails multiplied and divided and tripled and were harder than cockroaches to kill even when clicking “unsubscribe.” You can identify, right?

All hell broke loose when political campaigns noticed how to reach you in the same manner! A rockstar politician and his people (one of which is a mentor of mine) bombarded Inboxes for small donations to what promised to become an Earth-shaking, world-changing presidency. Some of us were psyched that we could do something to help, even if it was to send $10.00. That type of fundraising actually worked. But, guess what, now I feel like the politicians and various political parties are stalking me. The emails won’t stop. Not only is Vice President Joe Biden spamming me, but so is Michelle Obama!

The endless stream of worthless emails equivalent to a pile of junk mail on my desk.

My Gmail account has become a worthless, crowded timeline of spam that makes it difficult to pick out the good emails from junk sent from stores warning me that it’s my last chance to take 5% off everything in the store! on a DAILY basis.  Check the screen shot of my email. The top one, cleverly disguised as from a person named Jonathan Parker, is a political email. I do not know Jonathan Parker. Nor do I know Bev, Elizabeth or Suzanne, so this does NOT entice me to open this email.

But, what to do. You need to reach people because they don’t always come to you. Right now you might be scratching your head saying yes, I agree this is annoying, but what can my business do to stay vital. To help, I’ve compiled a list of ways that you can reach your target audience or customers without assaulting their email Inboxes.

- Over stimulation or over saturation of anything forces people to ignore fine details. Soon your message is lost among all of the other companies trying to reach your client base. It’s like the feeling you get going into a store that is jam-packed with shoppers, knick-knacks, groceries, turtle necks, tools, magazines, flip flops and Cracker Jacks. Sometimes I just want one item, but my head is almost turning full circle to see everything without bumping my cart into the backside of the person in front of me. Try this: send an email out once in awhile. Be creative in your subject line with something that entices them to read and not just click delete. But, again, DON’T SEND THESE EVERYDAY!

- Ask your clients, customers or campaign donors how they like to be contacted. Use a simple online program such as Survey Monkey to see how and when they want to hear from you. This will give you more direction and help you make the right decisions. If the majority of people on your mailing list want an email once a week or once a month, follow their wishes. Some people may like the constant bombardment — but I can tell you that most do not. Look what happened to direct mail pieces such as flyers for stores or letters seeking business. They get crinkled up and tossed in the trash. Some even get reduced to nothing going through the shredder machine; I have done this with delight to many, many worthless papers and offers for credit cards.

- Take advantage of social media but, for crying out loud, don’t crowd someone’s Twitter feed or Facebook feed with constant updates. Again, people see that, and maybe when they see it the first time it’s like, oh, how nice! Five days and 25 updates later, you might be thinking about “unliking” the company page because they won’t leave you alone. Also, don’t just Tweet out a link to your page. People don’t just click unless they have a reason. If you’re Tweeting a line each day about a product that you sell (let’s say it’s soap) and your customer reads your Twitter timeline each day, they understand that you sell the most special soap on the planet. They do, they get it. They probably own that soap and that’s why they follow your soap store on Twitter!

- You still need to be online. Make sure you have a very nice, clean website (by this I mean an easily navigated website that doesn’t take a half-an-hour to open on some computers). You can’t expect people to always come to you, so sign up for Twitter.  Create a Facebook fan or business page. Make people aware that you exist but quit begging for business.

- Finally, if you’re unaware of how to handle social media, hire a professional (ahem!). Business owners have a tough enough time with day-to-day operations and can’t always handle social media accounts. On the other hand, if you do have time to handle the accounts but want more information on how to do it right, consult with someone who knows how to do it and can get you started on the right track.

Remember, absence makes the heart grow fonder!  Reach out and electronically touch someone now and again but, for crying out loud, don’t make it a daily assault because you could get dumped.