RICARDO W. KELLY

Kelly Family Distributors

KF Distributors is a company with deep roots in family ownership, established by Ricardo Kelly Ricardo, a seasoned veteran and former executive at various Fortune 500 companies, ventured into entrepreneurship by launching KF Distributors With immense pride, KF Distributors commemorates nearly three years of unwavering dedication to its employees, customers, and the community it serves Looking ahead, KF Distributors is poised to further expand its operations while steadfastly delivering top-notch products and services to its valued clientele.

What truly sets them apart as a company is their unwavering commitment to not only providing exceptional products and services but also to fostering a holistic approach to business. KF Distributors recognizes the importance of bringing positive change to the community it operates in By actively engaging with and supporting the local community, they demonstrate their dedication to making a lasting impact beyond their immediate business interests.

Moreover, KF Distributors places great emphasis on nurturing strong relationships with their employees They understand that their workforce is instrumental in driving their success and growth. By prioritizing their employees' well-being, career development, and job satisfaction, KF Distributors creates a work environment that fosters loyalty, productivity, and long-term commitment.

As KF Distributors continues to chart its path forward, they remain steadfast in their pursuit of excellence Through their customercentric approach, unwavering commitment to community betterment, and investment in their employees' success, they are poised to continue their remarkable journey as a distinguished company in the years to come

Can you provide an overview of your company's role in the alcohol industry?

We are a veteran-minority-owned premium Beer, wine, and spirits distributor in the state of Georgia We offer a wide array of minority-owned beer, wine, and spirits

How do you select the brands and products that you distribute?

We hand-select every brand that we carry based on taste, unique qualities, packing, and a comprehensive marketing plan

What criteria do you consider when deciding to partner with a particular alcohol company? We look at several criteria when considering alcohol brand partnerships most notably Pricing flexibility to ensure margins: The ability to meet present and future inventory demands: The ability to provide product samples and POS marketing materials and lastly the ability to collaborate on promotional and sales activities.

Can you describe your distribution process?

Georgia is a three-tier state meaning: Importers or producers sell to distribution companies, Distribution companies sell to retailers, and we fulfill orders from retailers

What strategies do you employ to market and promote the brands you distribute? Our top strategies start with our company marketing plan, our relationships with our existing b2b retailers our digital marketing platform, and lastly our tasting events and tradeshows

How do you help them stand out in a crowded market? First, we have defined our target market which is essential, we then offer our unique portfolio to that niche market, in our case our award-winning black-owned portfolio and we always over deliver

How do you ensure timely and efficient delivery of products to retailers? This is ensured by our robust inventory management system and fulfillment process. Orders are filled for delivery within 24 hours of order during normal business hours.

How do you ensure timely and efficient delivery of products to retailers? This is ensured by our robust inventory management system and fulfillment process Orders are filled for delivery within 24 hours of order during normal business hours

Are there any specific markets or regions that you specialize in? We are licensed for the state of Georgia currently

How do you navigate the complexities of regional regulations and preferences?

We aren’t impacted by regional complexities as we are licensed to distribute for the entire state of Georgia.

What are your future goals and aspirations as an alcohol distribution company?

Our goal is to have our brand portfolio in as many on-off-premise locations as possible in the state

Are there any new initiatives or expansion plans on the horizon?

Our expansion plans consist of expanding into Florida by Q3 2024 and continued growth of our mobile bartending services

What brand or relationship to date are most proud of bringing to Atlanta? We are most proud to bring the SETTA wine collection by Cedric The Entertainer, Ronald Isley liquid gold collection NFINITE Tequila by Nokia Dru Hill, and many more.

How do you ensure timely and efficient delivery of products to retailers?

This is ensured by our robust inventory management system and fulfillment process Orders are filled for delivery within 24 hours of order during normal business hours

How do you build and maintain strong relationships with your manufacturer and retailer partners? We build strong relationships through consistent communication, trust through timely delivery of quality products, and loyalty rewards such as discounts and reward programs

What is your approach to customer service?

Distribution is a service business, and the most important part of the business is making sure that our customers get the right product at the right time in the right way with the right attitude

Sukari Spirits is a pioneering company led by Rolesha Brown, who is at the forefront of originality and innovation, crafting all-natural, top-tier spirits that cater to health-conscious individuals. Sukari Spirits commitment is to provide their valued consumers with meticulously handcrafted, domestically produced, and ready-todrink cocktails of unparalleled excellence. Their products are renowned for their supreme quality, being entirely all-natural and boasting a remarkable feature — it leaves you without any hangover.

Tell us about the history and background of your company. What inspired you to start this venture?

Sukari Spirits was started back when the market was crappy During that time, everything that could have gone wrong did I was a single parent with two kids at the time and my government contracting job was coming to an end with no renewal in sight On top of that, I had just lost $80k+ in the stock market and my property was in the process of being short-sold Needless to say, my stress level was at an all-time high and I needed to do something that would withstand the economic downturn When trying to come up with a plan, an old friend recommended opening a gym together. After serving in the military for 11 years and workouts being a part of my daily life, I didn’t want to make that part of my daily civilian life. So, I guess you can say that was not an option Then there was the idea of going into retail. After further research and evaluation, I decided that was not an option either. If the economy were to spiral out of control again, how would I get the inventory needed to keep the retail business open? At this point, I had to start thinking rationally about the economy and what would be a good business industry to dive into.

With that being said, I thought about what people do no matter how bad the economy gets When thinking of that, the following came to mind No matter what, people are going to drink, shop, gamble, and smoke Those industries thrive, look how well those industries thrived during the pandemic Since I don't gamble, nothing in that industry was an option I don't smoke, so I could not sell something I do not partake in Retail is too fickle during economic downturns so that only left the liquor industry When it comes to the alcohol industry, I love making concoctions using different fruits, vegetables, and other beverages; going into the liquor business was the better option.

With that being said, I thought about what people do no matter how bad the economy gets When thinking of that, the following came to mind No matter what, people are going to drink, shop, gamble and smoke. Those industries thrive, look how well those industries thrived during the pandemic Since I don't gamble, nothing in that industry was an option I don't smoke, so I could not sell something I do not partake in Retail is too fickle during economic downturns, so that only left the liquor industry. When it comes to the alcohol industry, I love making concoctions using different fruits, vegetables and other beverages; going into the liquor business was the better option

To be in this industry, especially as a female, I couldn’t just go into it half-ass I had to make sure I had something to offer the industry that separated me from everyone else…I had to be unique. Being prior to the military and remembering how things were when I used to party and drink when I was in my twenties definitely encouraged me to create something that was smooth and refreshing, without that horrible hangover feeling. I also wanted to create something that was as health-conscious as alcohol could possibly be, it is alcohol after all Lol

People like to drink, but no one likes the hangover. You know that feeling, that someone please put me out of my misery feeling That I can't believe I drank all that last night feeling That I do not want to go to work feeling And I don't want to do anything but lay here with the covers over my head feeling. I wanted to create something that didn't cause those feelings of regret

How do you engage with your customers? Do you have any events, tastings, or educational programs to foster a connection with your audience?

When it comes to engaging with customers, besides going live on social media, I love doing events, especially tastings. I love talking to potential customers about the brand and the industry I like educating people on how to smell, taste, and truly enjoy the alcohol-tasting experience Most don't realize, especially the younger generations, that drinking alcohol isn't just about throwing it back without truly enjoying the aroma and flavor, it’s about enjoying the flavor combination, taking in the nuances that went into making that brand what it is

Participating at events as a vendor or sponsor is not just about networking and providing tastings to market the brand, it is an opportunity to educate potential customers and sometimes make new business connections.

What makes your brand and products unique in the market? How do you differentiate yourselves from competitors?

Well, let's see First, let's start with the fact that Sukari Spirits is a woman, minority, service-disabled, veteranowned company We are originators and innovators of all-natural, ultra-premium spirits that consist of vodka made from corn, natural fruit flavoring, and vegetable juices for color with no preservatives or otherwise unnatural ingredients We thrive on creating products that are health-conscious, by using fruit and vegetables that are high in antioxidants. Sukari Spirits is trendsetting, sophisticated, fun, and great tasting We accomplish that by overdelivering on all aspects of our products – quality, taste, packaging, branding, and price

We currently have two products on the market, our flagship Sukari Fruit Infused Vodka and our Sukari Peach Whiskey Sour Our Fruit Infused Vodka is vegan-friendly, kosher, and gluten-free with no preservatives. It’s infused with blood orange, dragon fruit, pineapple, pears, and vegetable juices like beets for color The beautiful red color of the vodka comes from the blood oranges and vegetable juice And the beauty of this aromatic, great-tasting spirit is that there is NO HANGOVER.

Our Sukari Peach Whiskey Sour consists of a peachinfused rye whiskey with our homemade lemon and apple sour Our Peach Whiskey Sour is kosher and vegan friendly, and both have a unique flavor that tastes great alone or mixes well with other beverages And just like our fruit-infused vodka, there is NO HANGOVER but you will get hammered so DRINK RESPONSIBLY!!!

What are your plans for future growth and expansion? Are there any new markets you are looking to enter?

When it comes to our future growth and market expansion, at this time, I’m only trying to grow as fast as my bank account/savings will allow LOL Since I don't have an entertainer backing my brand or banks willing to approve business loans that would cover a full production, everything is funded out of my own pocket They always say that you should never use your own money in business, well that's easier said than done when you’re a small business, especially a liquor business Those that say they will help, want you to have skin in the game first Well, at this point, I have skin, arms, and legs in the game

I don't want to grow too fast. I want to make sure that in every market we get into, I want to saturate that market first before jumping into a new one Currently, we are in Georgia, Alabama (my home state) Nevada, and California and are licensed in Florida, Texas, and Louisiana. We are looking for distribution in the three later states So, with that being said, for those of you in those three other states who want to see our brand there, it doesn't hurt to go to your local liquor store and request our brand. It only takes one store to reach out to their distributor and ask for our brand as a special order ;-)

Can you share any upcoming product releases or innovations that we can look forward to?

In reference to upcoming product releases, we are definitely looking forward to releasing a rum or wine in the second quarter of 2024, I am currently torn between which one

Lastly, what do you envision for the future of your company? What mark do you hope to leave on the industry?

When it comes to what I envision for the future of my company and the mark I want to leave on the industry, I envision Sukari Spirits one day being a household name, a legacy for my children

This once was an industry dominated by men, but women have been making strides in this industry in the last 10 years proving this is no longer a mandominated industry I used to want to be one of those women, but then I realized, shoot, I am one of those women

If you're someone who's always concocting something in your kitchen or always the life of the party by always becoming the bartender and creating awesome drinks, this may be the industry for you Don't assume you can't do it because you think it's out of reach due to the cost, there’s nothing that says you have to come out the gate big, you can always start off small and work your way up as I did So, if you're interested in getting into the liquor industry don't let fear stop you, I didn't. As scared as I have been in this industry due to glass shortages, aluminum shortages or raw materials increases, etc, I love what I do I love the fact that I learn something new about the industry on a regular basis which drives me to improve my brand with each and every new product I launch.