Today we’d like to introduce you to Justin Robinson.
Can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today. You can include as little or as much detail as you’d like.
Late one night at Boston College, I got a text message from my soon to be co-founder and friend, Nick Rellas, asking one simple question – “I just got pizza delivered, why can’t I get beer delivered?” To which I replied the most obvious answer: “Cause it’s illegal, duh.” The conversation got us thinking, so we thoroughly reviewed Massachusetts Alcohol Code and realized it actually wasn’t illegal, it just never was done right. We started doing more research and ended up with a deep understanding for liquor laws which enabled us to develop our business model – and thus the idea of Drizly was born. Six years later, Drizly is the best way to shop for beer, wine, and spirits online and is the leading and largest alcohol e-commerce marketplace in North America, available to consumers in over 100 cities.
Has it been a smooth road? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It’s been a bumpy ride, but I like to think it keeps getting smoother! We’ve worked hard with our team here to build Drizly into what it is today. One of the largest challenges, as we were getting started and as we continue to expand, is navigating the regulation of alcohol sales in the US, with laws varying across states and municipalities. Many of the laws don’t explicitly address e-commerce or delivery, so we’ve had to work hard with local regulators to define best practice. Starting our business in Massachusetts was helpful in this regard – with some of the strictest laws in the country, making sure our model worked here provided us a playbook that worked well in most other markets. That said we’re still learning along the way. Just last week, we launched in Kansas City, working with a local retailer to launch immediately when alcohol delivery regulations passed in the city.
Tell us about your business/company. What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of as a company? What sets you apart from others?
Our business model is simple – consumers shop for their favorite beer, wine, and spirits via the Drizly app or website and our partnering retailers will deliver it to them or make their order available for in-store pickup or shipping in some states.
It’s the consumer shopping experience that really sets Drizly apart from competition. Consumers can shop across multiple liquor stores in their area giving them access to an enormous selection and the control to buy based on what is most important to them, whether it be delivery time, price or simply choosing their favorite local store. And of course, our retail partners follow through on this shopping experience by delivering fast, on average 40 minutes.
We are proud to be true pioneers in this space, continuing to lead the e-commerce revolution alongside major players in the crowded space. Our success is underscored by fact that Drizly is North America’s largest alcohol marketplace, available in over 100 cities across the U.S. and Canada.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
When it comes to the Drizly platform, it’s that trifecta of price transparency, choice and convenience. If I had to pick only one standout consumer benefit, it would be the unmatched selection Drizly offers through the access we provide to multiple local retailers, which also empowers price shopping.
Behind the scenes, our “solve it” mentality truly drives the company’s success. The expertise we’ve developed in this industry stems from years of experience and a sense of intellectual curiosity that’s present in everything we do. We are passionate about creating the best possible experience for everyone we work with, from customers to retail partners.
Contact information:
Website: drizly.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drizlyinc/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrizlyInc?fref=nf
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Drizly
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/drizly/
