Meet KEVIN JOHN

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful KEVIN JOHN a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi KEVIN, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?

My career began in audio engineering and urban music production, where I worked with peers who shared my background and interests. This collaborative environment helped me develop strong technical skills and a keen creative vision.

Seeking stability, I transitioned to voiceover production, creating audio for technology applications. This move allowed me to apply my expertise in a new and evolving field, showcasing my adaptability and willingness to embrace new challenges.

My passion for sales ignited when I took a sales position after three years in production roles. I thrived on the art of the sale, value propositions, and relationship building. However, the corporate world introduced me to a predominantly middle-aged, white male environment, which required me to adapt culturally and communicate strategically. I immersed myself in industry publications and stayed informed about trends and acquisitions, demonstrating a commitment to continuous learning.

Running my own business, I applied the disciplines and processes I learned in the corporate world. The Spirit industry, much like corporate life, is highly competitive with fast-moving trends and fickle consumer behavior. My ability to build and maintain relationships has been crucial to my success.

Throughout my journey, self-belief, a desire to positively impact my community, and a commitment to a greater purpose have remained central to my path.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

Since starting the business in 2016 and securing our first account in January 2018, I have evolved from Brand Manager to President of Operations and then to CEO. Throughout this journey, I’ve learned the critical duties and responsibilities required to run a multi-million-dollar organization. Staying humble and laying the groundwork was essential in building a thriving company. Many begin their CEO journey without fully understanding the core of their business. Being in the trenches with the team fosters genuine respect and a deep understanding of their concerns and aspirations, which humanizes our mission and aligns the team with our vision. Creating a culture that demands excellence and minimizes excuses is where true growth happens.

What excites me most is the journey itself. Witnessing individual growth and their commitment to excellence is unparalleled. It’s inspiring to see team members dedicated to the brand’s success as much as the founders.

Founding IslandJon Vodka:
In 2015, my dad, Levi John, and I dived into the beverage alcohol industry with limited prior knowledge. IslandJon Vodka emerged from our desire to create a vodka that the Caribbean could call its own, crafted by a genuine Caribbean family from Trinidad and Tobago. We aimed to bring excitement to the vodka category with a brand worth talking about, featuring aesthetically appealing packaging at an everyday price. Our story is embedded in the packaging, helping us win the eye test and build a loyal brand community.

We launched with our Award-Winning Premium Vodka and the unique Apple Gwayav, the only guava-infused vodka on the market. Since then, we’ve introduced Mango Peach in 2021, a large 1.75L format of our premium vodka in the summer of 2023, and Coconut Vanilla in January 2024.

Looking Ahead:
This summer, IslandJon will be featured at rooftop and poolside events at some of Atlanta’s finest high-rises, serving the best cocktails throughout the city. Our team will also be at the Atlanta Food and Wine Festival this September. In 2025, we will expand to Tennessee with Empire Distribution and extend our reach to the beaches of Puerto Rico. We’re thrilled about our growth and deeply grateful for the support we’ve received along the way.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Never Stop Learning
Every founder will tell you, “Never stop learning.” Your education and self-development must always be a priority.

First Quality: Embrace a Stroke of Crazy
You need to have a bit of crazy running through your veins, especially if you’re married with children. Leaving a full-time job to dive into the volatile CPG space with relentless competition is a bold move. This requires a heavy dose of self-belief.

Second Quality: Know Your Weaknesses
Recognize your weaknesses. If sales isn’t your strength, find someone who excels at it. You need a person who lives and breathes sales, who dreams about it, wakes up early, goes to bed late, and constantly thinks about closing the next deal.

Third Quality: Be Relentless
Be relentless in pursuing what you desire for yourself, your family, and your lifestyle. As the saying goes, “If it were easy, everyone would do it.” Your path is your unique journey. Stay consistent, stay focused, and remain teachable.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

We are consistently looking for smart capital to fuel our growth and accelerate our market reach. We seek accredited investors with the knowledge and connections to secure opportunities that will scale and strengthen our operations. Additionally, we are exploring land opportunities near or around the City of Atlanta to develop a destination distillery.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Photo by: Alfred Dixon

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