The Celebration of a Family Success Story
I recently attended the 90th Anniversary party for Try-It Distributing, our Western New York distributor. The 1920s themed soirée was a roaring success, featuring a full big-band ensemble, and many of the attendees donned period clothing. The several hundred in attendance not only celebrated, but also learned the success story of the Vukelic family.
After a delightful dinner, we watched a short video of the incredible history of the company, and then Gene Vukelic, now 87 years old, and his five sons addressed the attendees. Gene, with a resonant and commanding voice, gave a moving and powerful speech. He told the story of his family’s roots, of Croatian immigrants who created a small beverage company in the late 20’s during prohibition. That family business has grown and thrives today because of its strong values of tradition, trust and teamwork. The Vukelic family is a pillar of Western New York and gives back to the community that has supported them over the decades. Through their many philanthropic endeavors and involvement in organizations, they aim to eradicate wealth disparity and injustice by bringing attention to local socioeconomic issues of concern. As Gene stated with heartfelt sincerity that night “always do the right thing.”
We couldn’t be more honored to be partnering with Try-It. We represent wine growing families with long and proud histories. They experience the hardships and struggles of a difficult business, deal with ever-changing climate conditions, and must adapt to changes in the global landscape. When we present these wines and tell the stories of the multi-generational families that produce them, we can also tell the story of the 4th generation Vukelic family that is responsible for delivering these great wines to your glass.
Only 3% of family owned businesses survive into the 4th generation. It is extraordinary that Try-It has made it this far! So, Happy Anniversary Try-It, we celebrate your values, your longevity, your success, and we look forward to a long and fruitful partnership with you.