Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris
Hi Chris, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I didn’t set out to start a distillery—my professional path started with politics and law—but life has a way of pulling you where you’re meant to be. I wanted to do something different—something that would allow me to spend more time with my kids. That led to Du Nord Social Spirits. We started small with almost no money – just a $60,000 loan. Today we produce 6 spirits, and our bottles travel far beyond Minnesota thanks to the great partnerships we’ve built.
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?
Has it been a smooth road? Not even close. We had no money. Everyone says that, but we had NO MONEY. The only way we could make it work was by working insane hours at multiple jobs—a practice that eventually landed me in the hospital. Being undercapitalized is a common experience for small business owners, but we couldn’t help but notice our peers having a much easier time raising money and getting loans. The reality is, we had to survive 10 years just to get to where others started.
Today, our challenges look more like what distilleries across the country face: getting traction, fighting through the clutter to reach customers, telling our story, financing growth. We’re much more stable now, but that fight never really stops. The thing is, Du Nord was never just about making spirits. Our business is a community and is part of a larger community. Spirits are fun, but they’re a luxury—what people truly need is community, and we want to be of benefit to our community. Over time, we’ve evolved into something bigger than just a distillery, and that’s what keeps me going. I get to work with incredible people and solve new problems every day. My commitment to my coworkers, the joy of seeing this company show up for people, and the flexibility that allows me to be the dad I want to be—those things are more than enough to overcome the difficult times.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Du Nord Social Spirits is a distillery, but more than that, we’re a community. We make award-winning spirits—bourbon, gin, vodka, liqueurs—but what really sets us apart is why we do it. Our mission is to do good by drinking better to create economic opportunities for historically excluded communities turning affinity into impact. We want to build a more equitable community.
We’re known for making high-quality spirits that are approachable, versatile, and built for real moments—whether that’s a celebration or just kicking back after a long day. But we’re also known for showing up for our community. When the world shut down in 2020, we pivoted to making hand sanitizer, and when our distillery was damaged during the uprising, we turned our space into a food and supply bank that served thousands of families. That’s the heart of Du Nord: we don’t just make spirits, we strive to make an impact.
What I’m most proud of is that we’ve built something bigger than just a brand—we’ve built a business that stands for something. We want people to know that when they pick up a bottle of Du Nord, they’re getting more than just a great drink. They’re supporting a company that believes in inclusion, in lifting people up, removing barriers, and in making sure the industry reflects the diversity of the people who love it.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I don’t have great advice on finding mentors; I didn’t really have a mentor when I was getting started because there weren’t many available (craft distilling was just too new). What I did eventually build was a group of peers who would be willing to take my call when I had a problem. I think every business owner needs a couple people they can talk/vent to. The general public seems to think that the owners of any business are all rich; nothing could be further from the truth. We all need people around us who know how hard this struggle is. I have spent many hours talking with a friend who owns a cookie business about our respective struggles. It’s cathartic in a way, but you also pick up knowledge you can use in your own business. Find those people, and be that person for someone else.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dunordsocialspirits.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/dunordspirits
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/dunordspirits
- Other: https://shopdunord.com
Image Credits
Credit: Du Nord Social Spirits
