16 - Ogden's Own CEO Steve Conlin
Steve Conlin, CEO of Ogden's Own Distillery (maker of Five Wives Vodka and Porter's Whiskey), explains how his company pivoted to produce hand sanitizer after the federal government lifted permit restrictions in March 2020. Conlin details the rapid acquisition of packaging supplies, including a rush for pumps and bottles, and the manual filling process required to meet sudden demand. The episode highlights the regulatory challenges with the FDA, the logistical scaling to 15,000 gallons per week, and the company's community donations to first responders and hospitals.