Buckle up for another fascinating journey across the Sunshine State on this week’s episode of My Way as we introduce four unique businesses enriching the life of their communities, Sunday, February 12, at 5.30pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.
Meet theatre nurses turned distillers Megan Coffey and Kate Gibney. A post-shift conversation over a drink about the similarities between medical equipment and distilling apparatus has now turned into Steampunk Distillery, a small-batch Sunshine Coast gin and vodka distillery where grown-on-site native botanicals are turned into award-winning spirits.
We got a chance to chat with Megan Coffey and Kate Gibney about Steampunk Distillery. See below to hear what they had to say!
What made you want to start Steampunk Distillery?
We started Steampunk Distillery, as we had always wanted to do something for ourselves, engaging our artistic sides and other skills which strict nursing parameters do not enable.
We are passionate about Australian made and local, and we wanted to incorporate as much home grown or locally sourced botanicals as we could in our spirits.
How do you fit in time having to work while running the distillery?
Working as Nurses provides time challenges, which we are used to managing. We use the term stretched. We balance running a small property, nursing and distilling, and usually don’t notice the “crazy” associated with balancing it all, until people point it out to us. Like many small businesses, you “just do it”, as it is part of the process.
How is gin made, and where do the ingredients come from?
Gin essentially starts life as a neutral spirit and you add botanicals. Juniper berry must be included in the botanicals to be classed as Gin. Making Gin requires balancing your botanical profile with purpose for encouraging a flavour to be more forward, or to sit and support the other botanicals delicately.
Each distiller has their own recipes and techniques for distilling, and will either ferment and distil their base spirit, or start with a base spirit distilled from grain, grape or even sheep whey.=
What keeps you both close friends while working together?
We both have delegation to parts of the business, so communication is the key to remaining harmonious, to ensure all parts come together.
We plan together, implement, revise – very Nursing orientated.
We find there is the occasional robust discussion if clear communication has not occurred, a reminder to stop, and be present for conversations, as sometimes the business discussion can spontaneously occur, and it may not be ideal for both parties to be present for listening.
Also important to recognise when we need a break and have time to ourselves to re-energize. All work and no play is not sustainable.
If you had one piece of advice for others wanting to start a distillery, or their own businesses, what would it be?
Starting your own business is daunting, risk assess, commence with a clear plan and attainable goals. Focus on YOUR business, run your own race and focus on staying authentic to what you want to achieve.
Starting a distillery – understand the risks, costs and challenges. Record keeping is immense and intense down to the last ml.
Talk to other distillers about their journey, we frequently talk to people considering starting, it is a huge commitment if you decide to choose to move forward with it.
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