What I Learnt From The
2024 AWDA Conference
As a small business owner, days off are few and far between,
and it can be challenging to justify stepping away from the daily grind,
especially for a multi-day conference. But I’m so glad I did. Spending time at
the annual Australian Women in Distilling Association (AWDA) conference in
Newcastle reminded me of the critical value in offsite business development. It
was a refreshing change to step “off the tools” and invest time in growth
beyond the distillery.
The knowledge I gained and the connections I made are priceless. Thank you to the AWDA committee for organising such a fantastic conference. Running your own distilleries while supporting others in the industry takes incredible dedication. I admire all of you.
Here Are My Top Lessons From the 2024 AWDA Conference:
We’re All in This Together
Diversify Your Business
When launching a business, we all envision how our products will be received and sold, but reality often differs from our expectations. That’s not a setback—it’s an opportunity for growth. Take Kawal Rock Distillery in the scenic Hunter Valley, for example. Owners Maria and Louise have partnered with Hunter Valley Helicopters to offer a “Picnic in the Sky” experience: a private helicopter ride with a gourmet picnic on a rock formation along Sentry Mountain. A helicopter experience may not have been in their original business plan, but it works beautifully.
This lesson served as a reminder to be open to new, non-traditional ideas that can diversify HM Gin’s offerings. At HM Gin, we’re all about creating authentic experiences, and this has inspired me to stay alert for unique opportunities that can add resilience and depth to our brand.
The Power of Staying True to Your Branding & Values
Risk Management Can Help You Sleep at Night
My previous career in finance involved countless hours of risk management reviews for new projects. At the time, they felt tedious, but I’ve come to appreciate how critical risk mitigation is for smooth operations and ensuring staff and customer safety.
This lesson hit home when I read this morning about a winery facing legal consequences for failing to train staff properly, resulting in severe injuries and trauma. While risk management can be daunting, having clear controls in place is worth it—it lets small business owners sleep at night, knowing they’ve done everything possible to prevent potential issues.
Amy Shaw
Are you a woman in the Australian distilling industry? If you’re not a member of the AWDA, it’s time to join. Click here to learn more about the association.
At HM Gin we have a range of awarded gins, gin gift packs and merchandise.
See our comprehensive list of gin cocktails that have been thoughtfully crafted.