PROJECT APPLESEED: FUELING A ROCKET

Our mission is to elevate your spirits. To make that a reality for more people in more places, we’re kicking off Project Appleseed, our seed round for Stage 2. During Stage 1 (proof-of-concept) we bootstrapped the business to learn how to create and keep customers – and keep them coming back, which we did. Now, we are ready to reach new heights and create the fastest-growing premium vodka brand in California.

Our brand is built on tradition, taste, and quality, offering an award-winning, apple-based spirit from my  Polish family formula. It stands out in a crowded category – with its gluten-free, low-calorie, vegan, paleo, keto, and clean attributes. Our business is built on insights and Silicon Valley innovation and growth practices – and has already created customer loyalty and the best-selling apple-based vodka in California.

The global vodka market is $40B and expected to grow to over $68B by 2033. Vodka is dominant in spirits, but lacks innovation and a brand that captures consumer hearts, minds, and palates. We believe it's time for vodka to reemerge as an authentic, quality spirit. Rocket Vodka is positioned to make that happen with the right brand and a unique product handcrafted in California from 100% apples.

We have loyal, repeat customers and strong relationships. We have no investors, no debt, and no employees or offices, running a bootstrapped, breakeven business. We own our brand, trademarks, and domains. We’ve built a global community of over 100k followers. We’ve won awards voted by consumers and experts alike, including a Gold Medal at the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

As a result, we are a seed round company with A series characteristics, seeking investment to propel our growth and take our brand and business to the next level. This is an opportunity to be a part of creating the fastest-growing premium vodka brand in California, with achievable aspirations to expand nationally and globally – and 9-figure exit potential based on fast-growth, celebrity-backed spirits benchmarks.

We are a Crew of Silicon Valley growth experts, who work with the best, highest-quality industry suppliers and partners we can find to create award-winning, elevated spirits. We know how to grow. We are seeking angel investors to help us grow faster. We would welcome introductions to anyone interested in joining our journey. Please feel free to contact me here.

PS: We'd be happy to provide more detailed information – and of course offer a sample of our award-winning California spirit from 100% apples.

Cheers to you and your peak moments,

Dariusz

Founder

ELEVATING SPIRITS WITH ROCKET VODKA and UKRAINIAN BORSCHT

World Central Kitchen Fundraiser at Launchpad Flea Street Cafe

Our mission is to elevate peoples’ spirits. As the war continues in Ukraine, we cannot forget to care for those who remain in need. When the war first started, we donated 100% of our profits to World Central Kitchen. They were first on the ground, feeding Ukrainian refugees crossing the border to Poland. Our Crew has common heritage and history – our parents fled Soviet, Communist oppressed Ukraine and Poland to seek better lives. Supporting WCK was the highest-impact thing we could do to help the lives of others. 

Our support continues and we aspire to elevate the spirits of those who need it most. We have again partnered with launchpad Flea St. Cafe in Menlo Park CA to raise funds for WCK and the people of Ukraine during Restaurant Week. If you’re local, please make a reservation and visit to enjoy the Peace Rocket cocktail and authentic Ukrainian Borscht prepared by Executive Chef Jesse Cool – you can also order to go. If you’re not, we invite you to donate directly to WCK here. We would be grateful for your support.

Cheers,

Dariusz

JOIN THE ROCKET VODKA LAUNCH CREW!

Looking for Launch Crew in the Bay Area / San Francisco / San Jose (part-time)

Join the Mission.

We're looking for adventurous, active, and ambitious people to join our crew, launch our brand, grow our business, and celebrate peak moments. Elevate your spirit! Must be 21+. Please send your CV/resume with sales & service experience here.

A little about us.

Rocket Works is a craft spirits / lifestyle brand that’s all about celebrating life’s peak moments. Our first, flagship product – Rocket®️ Vodka, The Après Spirit®️– is a California vodka handcrafted from 100% apples and fresh Sierra Nevada mountain water. Our peak moments so far:

• Secured over 200 launchpads in California, New York, Northern Nevada, and Oregon since launch, earning consistently high reorder rates from all our customers: bars, restaurants, retailers, resorts, clubs, hotels

• Fast-growing community of over 100,000 followers and subscribers (Instagram, Tumblr, Flipboard, Facebook, Twitter)

• Gold Medal 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition

• Double Gold Medal Winner 2019 Best Tasting Spirits Award

• Best in Class Vodka, Platinum Medal, and Consumers’ Choice Winner 2017 SIP Awards International Spirits Competition

• Best in Class Vodka and Gold Medal Winner California Craft Spirits Competition

• Modern Design Award Winner California Craft Spirits Competition

• Gold Medal Winner SIP Awards International Spirits Competition

• LUX Life Food & Drink Awards 2020 Best Craft Vodka Brand

• Five-Star Rating on Facebook and Passion Spirits

A lot about you.

You get people. You understand and connect with people. You love to listen to and learn from people. You create and thrive on positive and productive relationships. You empathize with people. You elevate other people.

You get growth. You love to listen and learn. You aspire to do more with your life. You have big ambitions. You have a growth mindset. You are agile, adapt to, and even seek out new situations, scenarios, and responsibilities. 

You get social. You are fluent in Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat. You are a curator and creator with a sharp eye for content, photos, videos, and moments that make people click and stick, tap and follow. You know how to build audiences and engage them. 

You get it done. You follow through and close the deal. You have integrity and grit. You work hard without burning out. You are organized and pay attention to details. You are independent and thrive on autonomy. You have your act together.

Your peak moments. What we’ll do for you.

Career. Dream it. Do it. Achieve it. Build your resume and learn on the job. You’ll have lots of autonomy and opportunities to build bullets for your resume and LinkedIn profile.

Coaching. We’ll share what we’ve learned and best practices in leadership, management, entrepreneurship, marketing, sales, and operations. We thrive on learning.

Collaboration. We’ll work together as a team to build our people, build our culture, build our community, build our brand, and build our business. #oneteam #onedream

Compensation. Revenue share, flexible work hours, and pure fun:

• Cash: $25 per hour for up to 5 hours per week.

• Commissions on specific sales directly attributable to you.

• Complimentary schwag. Fun events (e.g. Campovelo Napa, Rock Tahoe).

Our peak moments. What you’ll do for us. 

Responsibilities, in priority order:

• More Places (metrics: # of accounts closed and cases sold in specific territories)

• Sales, new customers

• Generate leads

• Visit customers

• Collect business cards and contacts (email!)

• Host tastings

• Submit orders

• Develop business

• Service, repeat orders

• Deliver schwag (e.g. coasters, mugs)

• Secure menu placements

• Train staff

• Host events

• Track depletions

• Secure reorders