We at Hana Makgeolli are very excited to announce that we've reached 65% of our goal here on WeFunder! The progress towards the $131K raised thus far was made in less than a month since the launch of our campaign and we couldn't be more grateful to all of our friends, customers, and supporters for believing in us and investing in the future of the sool category.
We'd like to also take this moment to introduce, Jonathan Kim, our lead investor for this raise. Jonathan is a technology and consumer investor with a background in public equities and deep interest in food and wine. Jonathan first got introduced to Hana Makgeolli in 2017 at a Wine Expo in Brooklyn (back when Alice was still homebrewing) and has been following our progress ever since!
We asked Jonathan a few questions about how Hana Makgeolli resonates with him so that you can get to know him better!
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How does Hana Makgeolli align with your investment philosophy?
Building a brand requires much more than a solid product – to succeed, you need the right team, and the right story. HANA’s proprietary natural brewing methodology and distribution strategy was certainly an important factor in establishing a baseline investment case for the business. That said, the confidence in execution comes from Alice and John – a pair of fervently passionate operators that manage every aspect of the business meticulously, while never losing sight of the long term vision. Ultimately, HANA reflects the attributes of everything I personally look for in a high-growth enterprise, and I’m incredibly excited to be a part of this journey.
What is your favorite way to enjoy Hana Makegeolli?
As an avid home cook, my favorite way to enjoy HANA Makgeolli is alongside a steaming bowl of homemade Galbi Jjim (Braised Korean Short Rib), and Japchae (Stir-fried glass noodles) – just like mom used to make it! While many of the conventional Makgeolli brands available in the US are produced using synthetic flavors and artificial sweeteners, HANA’s product offers a more subtle flavor profile, with a mild tartness that complements rather than overpowers the dish.
What aspect of HANA Makgeolli’s future are you most excited about?
We are well-aware that in order to succeed, there is significant work that needs to be done to educate the consumer about the product. Exploring taste, and sharing new flavors with the people around me has always been a big part of who I am. Makgeolli may be a niche segment of the wine and spirits market today, but I’m most excited to play a role in driving the growth and diversification of this category in the coming years!
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We are overjoyed to have Jonathan and our other investors join our journey in growing Hana Makgeolli.