Rising Stars: Meet Jennifer Agnew

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Agnew. 

Hi Jennifer, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started Good Bitter Best after going to a bar in Dallas that had strange dropper bottles lining the whole thing. When I asked the bartender what kind of science experiment was going on, he told me they were all bitters made in-house. I was shocked, as I thought the only kind of bitters were Angostura Aromatic. I learned that you can make bitters in infinite flavors. When I got back to KC, I spent the next year looking at local bars bitters selections (mostly Angostura only) and playing around making my own at home. I also had enrolled in UMKC’s MBA program and was taking some entrepreneurship classes. I decided to use this sprout of a company idea in my classes and was able to create a 5-year plan for it as well as enter a pitch competition. It was a valuable experience. 

I decided to use that knowledge to bring the company to life once I graduated in 2020. In the spring I was able to rent a space to work out of, and I have been busy selling my bitters and cocktail kits at pop-ups, online, and at a few local shops. It has been a wonderful adventure so far! 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My original idea was to get my locally made bitters into local bars. When COVID came along, I made the pivot to target home bartenders. I also created the cocktail kit for those who do not know how to use bitters, which is a more complete experience. I have also had to learn as I go with legal paperwork, taxes, proper labels, how to wholesale products, and how to keep my garnishes fresh. Every day there is a new challenge to overcome. I have redone my kits about 12 times trying to find the perfect solution. It keeps the job interesting! 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a high school art teacher by day and entrepreneur by night. I am in my 14th year of teaching. Before Good Bitter Best, I had a company called KC Art Party that offered traveling paint and sip parties. Clearly, I have a passion for the arts and enjoy the creative side of business. At GBB, I like the creative aspect of coming up with new bitters flavors and the cocktail recipes for the kits. I also do all of the graphic designing for my labels, social media, banners, etc. The fact that I sell bitters sets me apart as it is a niche thing, however, I get a lot of compliments on my booth design as well. I try to keep it nature-focused and fresh to signal that everything is natural in my bitters. I am most proud when I have a customer come back to try my next flavor or to replace something they ran out of. It is very rewarding to hear those folks enjoy the bitters and kits! 

How do you think about luck?
I am lucky to be born into an upper middle-class family in a rich country (USA). I am lucky to have great family support, as well as support from my friends who have helped me when I get really bogged down. Last, I’m lucky to have an amazing community in Kansas City that believes in supporting local businesses!

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.goodbitterbest.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goodbitterbest
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/goodbitterbest
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwA90zkb1-Y5xA7LOv2hK7w