Black Swan Cooperage, LLC:
A Family Affair Written By Rockwell Rutter
O
Photographs By Dawn Hanson
ne person’s dream can be another’s nightmare. For of cooperage experience and serves as head of R&D and chief example, spending each and every day surrounded by of operations. Mary Ann, Heidi’s mom, keeps the office running family members in a high-pressure environment sounds smoothly and the books balanced. Jacob, Heidi’s brother, helps
like the kind of scenario that could push someone to their wit’s as shop foreman and according to Heidi, “is the lead problem end — for the Black Swan Cooperage, LLC of Park Rapids, MN, solver.” Rebecca, Heidi’s youngest sister, who when not taking however, this is all just part of a normal day’s work; and they classes at the local high school comes in to help out wherever couldn’t be happier.
she’s needed. Even Dawn, who took the photos on this article
The Karasch family is widely known as being the producer and is Heidi’s cousin, works at the cooperage when not at her of high-quality barrels for the artisan distilling industry. At the own business, North Wood’s Photography. center of it all is Heidi (Black Swan’s owner), chief cook, barrel
If you’re like many people, reading the above paragraph
maker and also oversees the sales and marketing arm of the caused your blood pressure to rise and a cold sweat to break company. Russ, Heidi’s dad, brings to the table over 20 years out. The Karasch’s, however, find that running a family business
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