
Part 2 of Leap First, Learn Fast – Building an Award-Winning Gin Company in 12 Months
Shared Minds PodcastShow Notes
In this episode, we continue our chat with the founder of Saint Juniper Gin Distillery, who stepped into an industry he had zero experience in and built an award-winning gin brand in under 12 months, taking home Spirit of the Year along the way. We dive into what it actually looks like to start from scratch — learning on the fly, making high-pressure decisions, backing your taste, and pushing forward without a safety net. No prior distilling background. No guarantees. Just conviction, long hours, and a willingness to figure it out as he went. This conversation goes beyond business. It’s about self-belief before results, handling doubt when you’re the least experienced person in the room, and committing fully to a vision even when you can’t see the whole path yet. If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re ready, qualified, or capable of taking a big leap, this episode will challenge the way you think about starting.
More from Shared Minds Podcast
We're going quiet for a while. Liam's heading to Europe for a month, and Kirby's off to Japan for a few weeks, so there'll be a break between episodes. If you're wondering where we've gone, now you know. Before we disappear, we get into a few things we reckon just aren't fair, starting with celebrities who get egotistical, arrogant, and rude to their fans. Those fans are the people who put them where they are, so honestly? Pull your head in. Plus plenty more yapping along the way. Catch you when we're back!
We’ve all had one, the shit job, the nightmare boss, or the workplace that made you question your entire existence. In this episode, Liam and Kirby talk about their worst jobs, terrible bosses, toxic workplaces and the absolute bullsh*t that can come with having a job. Because sometimes you don’t hate working… you just hate your boss
Liam and Kirby sit down to talk about Liam’s recent experience trying to get back on his medication and the frustrating reality of navigating the mental health system all over again. The conversation takes a turn as they question how the government is spending money, why accessing mental health support can feel so difficult, and whether enough is actually being done for Australians who need help. It’s an honest conversation about mental health, medication, the system, and the frustrations that come with trying to get the support you need.
Q&A time. This one is simple, we're answering your questions. Whatever you sent us, we're getting into it.
We did it. Our biggest milestone yet, the one we've been targeting since Day 1. 100,000 Instagram followers in 16 months. In this episode we unpack every major failure on the long, bumpy, winding road to get to where we are today, because nothing this great comes easy.