andrew blake

Leading a 75-year old company comes with a lot of pressure. And Andrew Blake wouldn’t have it any other way. In this episode, you’ll find out how he’s planting his flag in the soil of a company that is still finding new ways to grow after all these years. 

Andrew’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to the idea that is now Blake’s Hard Cider Company – a brand with national reach. He’ll explain how leaning into adversity can lead to innovation. 

The foundation of Blake’s is rooted in farming and the values that come with it. You’ll learn how those values shape their culture, which is essential to maintaining a strong brand. 

On this morning's WJR Business Beat, Jeff shares the story of a visionary entrepreneur in our region, Andrew Blake. Blake, a third-generation entrepreneur, came up with an idea to expand his family business by creating a product to sell at retail. The product is Blake's Hard Cider, and it's a winner.

Tune in to this morning's WJR Business Beat to hear Blake share his vision and incredibly successful execution of Blake's Hard Cider.

On this episode of StartupNation Radio, Jeff is joined by guest co-host, Andrew Blake.

Blake is President of Blake’s Family of Companies and the founder of Blake’s Hard Cider, an independent, family-owned Michigan craft cidery located in Armada, Michigan.

When Blake returned to the family business after college, he knew he wanted to create a product that enriched the tradition and authenticity his family business was known for. Blake's Hard Cider was established in 2013 and has since brought in more than $100 million in sales.

During the show, Blake shares:

• The backstory of his family business, Blake Farms, and its evolution
• The importance of creating an experience for customers, not just a transaction
• How he came up with the idea for Blake's Hard Cider, and how he brought it to retail
• How Blake's Hard Cider has grown since its initial launch
• The importance of gathering feedback when launching a product
• How new entrepreneurs can establish partnerships with distributors
• The power of authenticity

Tune in to the full StartupNation Radio show with Andrew Blake!