Posted: March 8, 2024
Jaime Landry (BMgmt’23) was only 18 years old and in her first year at Dal when she had a vision for the business she one day wanted to run – a distillery that pours creativity and care into every bottle.
A trip abroad and her time in Dal’s Faculty of Management paired with her family’s distilling legacy led her to found Black Harbour Distillers Inc. – a distillery in Hubbards, N.S., that crafts fine blended spirits.
Where did the idea for Black Harbour Distillers come from?
In my senior year of high school, I joined a humanitarian trip to the Dominican Republic, where we worked in a sugar cane field and visited a rum distillery afterwards. Witnessing the transformation of sugar cane into rum ignited my fascination with the distillation process. It was driven by the dedication of the workers – their stories and passion were poured into each bottle.
Upon returning home, I dove into researching the distillation industry. My family connection to moonshine, courtesy of my grandfather's stories and legacy, fueled my passion. The spark to turn this passion into a business venture was ignited during my first year at Dalhousie University, where I was tasked with crafting a business plan for a management course. This inspired me to bring my idea to life.
How did Dal prepare you for becoming a business owner?
While at Dal, the importance of networking was emphasized, not only within my coursework but also through various events aimed at highlighting its power and advantages. The skill has proven invaluable as I navigate the business world, providing me with a solid foundation for effective networking post-Dal.
Enrolled in business management, I had the flexibility to select courses centered around entrepreneurship, which greatly contributed to my learning experience. These courses kept me engaged, as the content was directly related to my growth as an entrepreneur.
What is your favourite part of owning and operating Black Harbour Distillers?
Choosing my favorite aspect of owning and running Black Harbour Distillers (BHD) is challenging, as there are many.
I love building a business in the community of Hubbards that wants to support us. I want to support the community in return through events, gatherings, friendly service, and quality products that give the community of Hubbards a good reputation.
Secondly, the opportunity to cultivate an exceptional team of BHD staff who share a passion for crafting unique, high-quality spirits and delivering outstanding service has been immensely gratifying. Witnessing their growth and dedication has been truly inspiring.
Lastly, I love owning and operating BHD because no matter how much hard work and stress, ups and downs there are – I love every minute of it! It is a lot of fun to think of products that are outside the industry norms, which is something BHD has become known for.
What is your favourite memory of Dal?
The opportunity to participate in the Business in Emerging Markets course with 12 other amazing Dal students. We all got to travel to India for two weeks.
What advice would you give to recent grads embarking on their career journey?
Whether you are pursuing an entrepreneurial route or looking for a job, it is important to understand that roadblocks and challenges will come up. If you are passionate and understand your goals, you can pivot and adapt to accomplish your goals. I am so happy I didn’t stop when many said I couldn’t do it.
What are your hobbies/interests outside of work?
I love spending time by the ocean and outdoors on trails with my dogs. I really enjoy spending quality time with family and friends. I have continued to play soccer which has been a lot of fun and have picked up pickleball! Cooking is another hobby of mine that I love to practice!
