The company Spirits of Norrland relies on crowdfunding when the second edition of Björkvodka is produced. In return, all backers will receive a custom-made lampstand.
- It's a great way to engage all the Bjork vodka lovers out there, says an excited Anna Morén.
A few years ago Anna Morén listened to a lecture on Swedish viticulture. There the dream of doing something similar was born. At first, she was set on creating birch rum, but since production requires sugar cane, it had to be vodka instead.
There and then the brand and product Björkvodka was born - from the city of birches. The company she now calls Spirits of Norrland was founded as late as 2021.
How would you describe Björkvodka?
My vodka is fresh, a little sweet and very birch. Simply a taste of northern summer. I've received a lot of praise for the fancy bottle too, which has birch wood labels. I'm very proud of that," says Anna.
How did you decide to finance your venture through crowdfunding?
This way I don't have to borrow money to make the next production and it's also a good way to engage all the "Björkvodka Lovers". It's convenient in every way, says Anna.
How did you design the campaign?
I'm running my very own campaign where I don't use any particular platform, such as Kickstarter. Participants pre-purchase a custom-designed birch wood lamp base, adapted for the Birch Vodka bottle, and receive a hidden item number in the process. You use this number to find and order Björkvodka at a reduced price at Systembolaget. All information on how to participate is available on our website, says Anna.
That's with a lamp base is kind of fun. Where did that idea come from?
It is not possible to sell the bottle directly to private individuals outside Systembolaget. I therefore thought long and hard about what I could offer that would add value to the bottle itself, as part of the crowdfunding campaign. I got the tip to make a lampstand and it seemed like the right thing to do. In retrospect, many people have said that they think the bottle together with the lamp base turned out great," says Anna.
If the campaign is successful, what will be the next step?
It will be harvesting leaves for production, kick-starting it and the production of the lamp base, then delivery will begin in August. There will be a lot of work with packing and mailing of course. Then I have a hope that this will create so much "buzz" that I get more words and can produce even more in late summer and autumn.
Visit bjorkvodka.se to learn more about Björkvodka and the crowdfunding campaign.
