Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandon Mccannel
Hi Brandon, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
We set out with a simple mission: bring authentic, bartender-quality cocktail recipes into people’s homes. During the 2020 pandemic, when our customers couldn’t visit in person, they began asking how to recreate their favorite drinks at home. We were determined to develop a product that remained true to its bar origins while using only all-natural ingredients.
The journey wasn’t simple—we experimented through roughly 60 gallons of mix before perfecting our recipe. Initially, marketing proved challenging because people couldn’t grasp how exceptional our product was until they tried it. That first taste consistently earned an amazed “WOW, that was amazing!”
We started small, selling at local markets and craft shows. Then came our breakthrough moment last spring at the Huffman Production in Canterbury, where we received an invitation to the State Fair—a tremendous opportunity for our company. This growth meant I (Brandon) could no longer handle production alone. We upgraded from our church basement workspace to a larger kitchen facility to produce the 1,000 gallons needed for the fair.
The State Fair proved to be a game-changer! Afterward, our event schedule exploded from one show weekly to 6-7 shows every week, as we launched an aggressive campaign to introduce more people to BFriendly.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
We quickly discovered that transforming a professional bar recipe into a bottled product required significant adaptation. And even after perfecting the formulation, we faced an unexpected challenge—consumers were skeptical that something bottled could truly deliver such exceptional quality.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I pride myself on delivering the complete cocktail experience—from the friendly smile that greets you to that unforgettable first sip that wins you over. Every detail matters to me, and I pour that dedication into everything I do!
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Networking with fellow vendors and other small business owners to navigate the complexities together and find solidarity in shared experiences.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bfriendly.com
- Instagram: bfriendly612
- Facebook: B Friendly
