![]() ![]() Ann runs the business.” He had to repeat that more often than you would like to think. He was always equally shocked, so he would say, “I’m just the trophy husband and the bookkeeper. My husband and I were just laughing the other day because if he was in the room or around, people would always assume that he was the founder or the CEO. But it came to my attention once we launched that I didn’t look the part. As a small Asian woman, I understood that I probably didn’t look like who would start a whiskey company. Being a working mother in any capacity can be uber-challenging. As a mom of young kids at the time, day-to-day challenges sometimes overwhelming. market and building a brand from scratch?ĪSW: There were hurdles. JR: Besides being a female founder in a male-dominated industry, what were other challenges you faced bringing this product to the U.S. It really does help because it helps keep it going. People don’t really teach you that you should incorporate things you are very interested in when you create a brand. While I didn’t have a lot of experience in the industry, I think it was helpful I had other interests and experiences, which I was able to bring to the table. I was able to use a lot of those interests and make sure Kikori reflected all of that. And I have a strong interest in food, so I wanted to make sure this would pair well. JR: How did Kikori become a way to integrate and merge your passion for Japanese food, culture, and history with your interest in spirits?ĪSW: I have a strong interest in art and design, so that went into the packaging. If I was going to make something in Japan, why would I not create something from their local grain?Īnn Soh Woods founded Kikori Whiskey in 2015. Rice is the grain Asians eat at almost every meal. When I launched, people asked, “Why rice?” For me, it just felt super-natural. evokes both sake and whiskey, so that resonates with people. I wanted something easy, approachable, accessible. There were so many things I didn’t want, like scotch. Frankly, after I had kids, my palate changed. ![]() JR: Why did you gravitate to rice whiskey that’s made in Japan?ĪSW: There’s sake, shōchū, and many spirits you can make out of rice. Selfishly, I started because I wanted something like that for myself and to make sure I could drink and mix it in cocktails because I really love cocktails. That kicked off the idea of making something from Japan that would be unique and embrace all the qualities I love about Japan, and bring it to the U.S. It’s also where I really was introduced to cocktails - the type of cocktails where it’s a craft. A meal there can be a work of art and still taste amazing. I was always drawn to the aesthetics of Japan and their incredible attention to quality and hospitality. JESSICA RITZ: How did your love of Japan begin?ĪNN SOH WOODS: I traveled there with my family when I was young and then much more as an adult. The Los Angeles-based mother of two boys recently spoke with Shondaland about what inspired her to start her business, how she navigates a male-dominated industry, and why nurturing your personal passions is vital. Kikori also recently participated in Daijoubu: A Super Asian Cocktail Pop-Up, which intentionally elevates Asian flavors and culinary techniques. She later added Yuzuri Liqueur to her portfolio and started pushing the boundaries of how a spirits brand can champion underrepresented voices, bringing creativity and panache to serious issues.įor this year’s Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Kikori launched the Discover AAPI Artists campaign in collaboration with illustrator Carolyn Suzuki, comedian Atsuko Okatsuka, and musician SASAMI, commissioning original work from each creator and raising funds for the Asian Mental Health Collective. In 2015, the Korean American entrepreneur launched Kikori Whiskey, a lighter and brighter alternative to the heavy Japanese whiskeys saturating the market. ![]() From artists and tech mavens to titans of the boardroom, these women are breaking barriers, and they’ll share how you can too.Īnn Soh Woods was the first person to introduce rice whiskey from Japan to the United States. In the ongoing Shondaland series Head Turners, we meet interesting women from every facet of life who are crushing it in their careers. ![]()
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