That one moment "when my life suddenly changed" was an evening in a cocktail bar a few years ago. "I was captured and swept away by this contrasting dream world full of spirits. From then on, I was hooked," says Bergfried.
A lot has happened since then. After 18 months of recipe research, his gin is now available in the online store and elsewhere. The gin pays homage to the Japanese quarter in Düsseldorf, to the culture of the country and to traditional gin production. It is spicy, fresh and subtly fruity. "The complex taste and characteristic aroma is what makes it special," says Bergfried.
He has met people's tastes. Because he is satisfied with how his start-up has developed. "I can't make a living from it yet, it's growing slowly but steadily. But it's almost self-sustaining and self-financing," he says.
In 2022, Bergfried wants to expand, build up and further develop the brand, including in Europe. His bachelor's thesis is about expanding the portfolio of a gin brand, and he wants to put the topic into practical application. This means launching another variety on the market in 2022. The long-term goal is to have his own distillery and many of his own products.
The ingredients for setting up a business are just as varied and complex as gin production, which requires a keen sense of taste. "It took time before I knew how to go about it," says Bergfried. He has a small distillery at home and is also supported by a fruit brandy manufacturer and the "HNX" team at The Hochschule Niederrhein.
"You always have to believe in it, have a lot of stamina, be creative, put things into a coherent concept and a suitable structure and then sell it well," says Bergfried. And don't rush things. "It's better to think about an idea three times, because a good idea needs time to take shape," he says.
That's why doubts in the meantime are also part of the process. "Nevertheless, you should stay true to your line and your plan," says Bergfried. Because sometimes you have to take the wrong path to reach your goal.
