Keep in mind this is after crippling alcohol bans over the last 2yrs with zero gov support and one of the highest unemployment rates in the world. Not only is it infuriating as a business owner but the impact the bureaucratic BS has on SA start-ups is heart-breaking. 3/3

10yrs ago when I started, this would've ended the business- I waited for the license but it was just 2 mnths late. Nowadays we can 'afford' the costs but this'll be our last store in JHB and its why we don't have a CT store (yet). Western Cape is even worse than Gauteng ATM. 2/3

Paid a lawyer R50k (~£2500) to get our liquor license application for WB's new store urgently reviewed by a judge. Applied in Nov, now 4 months overdue and paying rent and staff. 'Urgent' court appearance only scheduled for 3 weeks’ time. This is the cost of business in SA. 1/3

Thank you @anCnoc_whisky and the wonderful team that made this happen. A pleasure and privilege doing whisky with you 🥃

Today at WB, we've put out job offers to fill 3 positions for new projects rolling out in the coming 2-4 months. This includes, for the first time ever, our first non-SA based position! Crazy to think that would ever happen. One guess as to which country the honour goes to! 😁🤐

Hello Twitter. I miss the simple days when I had time for you and could randomly and often talk about all things whisky with lovely, like-minded strangers. Whatever you are doing today, dear random reader friend, I hope you are well and the world is treating you kindly. 🥃❤️

So this is pretty cool...! 🤩

South African government: Our people have an unhealthy and societal drinking problem that we must address. Also SA government: Lets allow petrol/gas stations to start selling alcohol... 🤦🏽‍♂️ https://t.co/q0SSnqAORw #nottheanswer #wtaf #notresponsibledrinking

Alcohol restrictions re-imposed in SA (and I bet more to follow in 2-3 weeks' time). Current restrictions limit retail to Mon to Thurs, will mean a ~50% drop in sales across our two physical stores. Bar also likely to loose similar amount as people stop going out. #hereweareagain

"Out-of-control shipping costs" via @News24 https://t.co/deP8cLCyaM ... Actively impacting SA whisky prices since last year and expect to continue until until next. Not all importers can take the knock, smaller companies have to pass on the extra costs.

Starting work on another new whisky project for WB 🤩 This one has been on the to-do list for a while but not something that can happen overnight and needs the help of some very skilled and good humans in Scotland (which we are now fortunate enough to know) 🥃 #norestforthewhisky

Running a business (particularly an alcohol business in SA) under COVID is so exhausting... Daily anxiety-inducing routine checking new case numbers, and as they fluctuate so do all your business plans. Basic ops now easily reworked/replanned 2-3 times each week. 😪

Now reading... Beyond Entrepreneurship 2.0 By Jim Collins and Bill Lazier An 'enduring great company', that's the intent. #smallbusiness #beyondentrepreneurship #jimcollins #billlazier #BE20 #nowreading

Yay, the next SA exclusive release of a whisk(e)y will soon be available. Oh wait... this is the same whisk(e)y we can't retail due to threat of legal action for brand trademark infringement- even though other retailers can and importer still distributing. Never mind then 🤦🏽‍♂️😡

Dear Whisky Importer, You don't have to wait until @WorldWhiskyDay to suddenly care about your brand and want to build awareness. Us whisky fans drink whisky all year round; we don't convert just for your promo one week of the year. Sincerely, WB

You can see the people who design whisky packaging don't actually work with the products. Some of the boxes, specifically case boxes, are so hard/impractical to open, store, fold down etc. Right now I'd rather throw this one particular box out rather than unpack anymore of it 🤦🏽‍♂️

Finally... can't say that was fun. (Hopefully for the next one we won't have to sue the liquor board just to do their job.) 🥃🇿🇦

..instead the GLB's utter incompetence would have sunk a less solvent business and has stopped us from other expansion plans. As a business it is infuriating, and as a South African its heartbreaking. Should hear within next few days if court interdict granted 🤞🏽 #SAbusiness

..them to allow us to open. In the meantime paying for new staff and rent while we wait, and the additional cost of going to court. After devastating alcohol bans and with one of the worst unemployment rates in the world, you'd think helping businesses grow would be a priority..

Doing business in SA is not for the fainthearted. New WB store fitted and ready to operate since Oct. Applied for liquor license in Feb (pre-COVID) and 14 months later still waiting. Now taking the Gauteng Liquor Board (GLB) to court along with ±100 other applicants to force..