Simon Ford
When it comes to the spirits industry, there is little Simon Ford hasn’t done. As a leading voice of the bar & cocktail scene for over 20 years, Ford has traveled the globe working with & learning from some of the best brands, bars, and professionals on the planet. He has led numerous educational spirit programs, judged global cocktail competitions and delivered seminars at international conferences such as: the NY Food & Wine Festival, the Sydney Bar Show, London Cocktail week and Tales of the Cocktail to name a few. Ford has been featured in many standout publications such as The New York Times, Forbes, Harper’s Bazaar, The Wall Street Journal, Men’s Health, PUNCH and Liqour.com among others. At the Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards, Ford was awarded Best International Brand Ambassador in 2007 and Best U.S. Brand Ambassador in 2009 for his work on Plymouth Gin. He then held the role of chairman for the festival’s awards and co-hosts for several years, continuing to play an integral role in its production. Wanting to take his years of experience in the spirits world and offer the industry what had been missing — a true bartenders’ portfolio of brands — Ford created The 86 Co. in 2012 with his fellow principal founders, debuting Caña Brava Rum, Fords Gin, Tequila Cabeza and Aylesbury Duck Vodka. In 2019, the brand decided to put all its focus into Fords Gin, the versatile cocktail gin, with Simon as the CEO/Founder. Then, in 2020, Simon Ford led the company to its purchase by Brown-Forman where he currently serves as Fords Gin managing partner.
When it comes to the spirits industry, there is little Simon Ford hasn’t done. As a leading voice of the bar & cocktail scene for over 20 years, Ford has traveled the globe working with & learning from some of the best brands, bars, and professionals on the planet. He has led numerous educational spirit programs, judged global cocktail competitions and delivered seminars at international conferences such as: the NY Food & Wine Festival, the Sydney Bar Show, London Cocktail week and Tales of the Cocktail to name a few. Ford has been featured in many standout publications such as The New York Times, Forbes, Harper’s Bazaar, The Wall Street Journal, Men’s Health, PUNCH and Liqour.com among others. At the Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards, Ford was awarded Best International Brand Ambassador in 2007 and Best U.S. Brand Ambassador in 2009 for his work on Plymouth Gin. He then held the role of chairman for the festival’s awards and co-hosts for several years, continuing to play an integral role in its production. Wanting to take his years of experience in the spirits world and offer the industry what had been missing — a true bartenders’ portfolio of brands — Ford created The 86 Co. in 2012 with his fellow principal founders, debuting Caña Brava Rum, Fords Gin, Tequila Cabeza and Aylesbury Duck Vodka. In 2019, the brand decided to put all its focus into Fords Gin, the versatile cocktail gin, with Simon as the CEO/Founder. Then, in 2020, Simon Ford led the company to its purchase by Brown-Forman where he currently serves as Fords Gin managing partner.
THE FUNDAMENTALS OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP
What does it take to be an Entrepreneur?
Simon Ford went from bartending to owning one of the most successful gin brands today.
In this premium class, he reviews his process, from conceptualizing the idea and finding investors to creating a team and learning from and avoiding mistakes. He hopefully answers the WHY as you consider taking the leap into launching your own business.
This class is a paid promotion by Fords Gin.
Please drink responsibly.
