What is the best approach and contacts for launching a drinks brand in the US market?

Entering the US requires significant resources, strategic planning, and local expertise. Members emphasize that the US operates like multiple separate markets (each state has its own regulations and distribution channels), so focus and preparation are critical.

**Key Strategic Approaches:** - **Focus geographically** — concentrate on one or two regions and go deep rather than attempting a national launch. Members with successful US operations stress this approach over broad expansion. - **Budget conservatively** — expect your launch costs to be 3–10x your worst-case scenario estimate. The US market is substantially more expensive than UK operations. - **Use a brand ambassador model** — hire a single brand ambassador across multiple brands to manage costs, as US hiring is expensive. - **Work with an existing distributor** — one member has contacts currently seeking agency brands to distribute across 5 key states with an established sales organization in place; DM for discussion.

**Key Contacts and Resources:** - **Taylor Foxman** — runs a consultancy focused on US market entry and is very well connected (ex-ZS). Also manages a Slack channel (though reportedly not very active). - **Spirited Marketing** — runs the Spirited Incubator Programme with partners in Chicago and NYC; happy to discuss partnership approaches. - **Richard Davies** — mentioned as having experience with whiskey launch in Florida and offering routes to market. - **Tequila Enemigo founder** — member of the community with acquired US operations (head offices in NY/LA) and willingness to share experiences; happy to discuss approaches and lessons learned. - **Spirits Society group** — informal group within Kindreds connecting US brands and members with US experience. - Consider joining or creating a dedicated Kindreds US-focused WhatsApp/Slack channel — demand exists and several members volunteered to help establish one.

**Important Caveats:** - "There is no magic bullet" — each state operates with different regulations and complications. - The US market requires a fundamentally different approach than European expansion; it is "a whole different beast" best approached with caution. - Members recommend speaking directly with those who have navigated US entry before attempting launch.