Meet Thierry Verhoeven: a man who works with heart and soul to make his dream come true! In the early 2000s, Thierry discovered a sublime mini citrus fruit … the kumquat! This discovery made a big impact on his career. He decided to make this golden orange the main ingredient of his future alcoholic drink. A few years later, Cala Kumquat was born. A 100% Belgian and artisanal brand that offers alcohols distilled from 100% natural ingredients and stands for 100% authenticity. A brand that time and again seduces women and men who are passionate about new taste experiences and like to share that passion.
Thierry, can you briefly explain the history of your company?
The idea of launching my own alcohol brand has been germinating in my head for a long time, at least ten years. But it wasn’t until I was running Biercée Distillery and that the then shareholders decided to bring the company in under PRJ that I made the decision to go ahead with it. We were then at the end of January 2019.
After conducting several tests, I made the decision that CALA KUMQUAT GIN would be my first alcohol. By the end of May 2019, the product was ready and in early June I launched the product at the national cocktail competition organised by UBB. After my mission at the Biercée distillery was over, I launched my drink in mid-August.
Thierry, can you tell me how you experienced your personal journey?
I started my career as a telephone sales representative in a small company. After that I worked as an accountant and shortly afterwards I started working in the drinks sector. From Martini and Rossi (which later became Bacardi Martini) to Pernod Ricard, Bruggeman La Martiniquaise and finally the Distillerie de Biercée. Only then did I start working on my own. All this with a small diversions via Proximus before joining Pernod Ricard. This allowed me to work in large, medium and small structures, in Brussels as well as in Flanders and Wallonia.
Who or what have you learned the most from?
My learning sources are threefold: firstly, my parents and my daughters. Secondly, people with whom I have worked professionally, colleagues, customers or suppliers, and finally my mistakes. If I had to choose one person, I would say Léon Beurskens, an Antwerp native who owned the Wolf Oil corporation in Hemiksem. By listening to him during our many lunches, I took the decision that one day I would be independent. He had the courage, together with a friend, to establish Wolf Oil and to fight until success was achieved. I loved to hear him talk about his years of hard work and especially to see the joy on his face at that moment, happy and proud to see where his business had gone and that he had kept going against all odds.
What would you not do again?
It’s hard to say, because it’s my experience that makes me who I am today. But if I didn’t have to do anything over again, it would be the experience as an accountant at Ernst & Young.
What would you have done faster?
Listening to my instincts, my intuition. Trusting my inner voice.
Thierry, can you tell me which achievement you are most proud of?
I have three achievements to be proud of. The launch of Bacardi Breezer, the relaunch of Bruggeman and of course, my greatest pride, the realisation of my dream, the launch of my alcohol brand CALA SPIRITS. The word CALA, by the way, comes from the first two letters of each of my daughters.
A final question. What is your big next goal – business and/or private?
No doubt export! The desire to let people discover my alcohols abroad and the desire to engage with other cultures. To learn from these markets, to come back with ideas and to make progress. In the very short term, the launch of three new products on which we will eventually build a range.
Thanks Thierry and good luck with everything!
All information about Cala Kumquat can be found here: Website Cala Kumquat
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