Find Your Freedom: Brady’s Distillery

Apr 21

How Tim Brady of Roanoke’s very own Brady’s Distillery Found his Freedom Banking With Freedom First

When Tim Brady, Head Distiller at Brady’s Distillery, needed a banking partner, Freedom First was the right fit. Starting a new business - especially one with lots of regulatory red tape like a distillery - is no small feat. And entrepreneurs just don’t have the time to jump through extra hoops with their banking relationship.

Tim actually never knew he’d end up owning a distillery with his two brothers - but once they committed to making it happen, everything has been full steam ahead to get Brady’s Distillery up and running. The Bradys own and operate not only a distillery in Roanoke, but also a retail ABC store where people can buy their products directly. Though they’re starting out with bourbon, the brothers are planning to expand production to a wide range of locally distilled liquors that can satisfy any palate.

So how did Tim find Freedom First? Funny story, actually.

He struck up a conversation with a fellow parent at his son’s little league baseball practice about his new business venture. When Tim retired from the military, he was banking with a big, national bank but didn’t like how he would always have to sift through a confusing phone tree then sit in a queue all day just to have his questions answered and issues resolved. He was looking for more of a personal touch that could also free up his time to keep the momentum going to successfully open the distillery.

That parent he talked to happened to work at Freedom First, and they were able to put him in touch with a team of bankers who fit the bill to a T for what Tim was looking for.

“[Banking with Freedom First] has just paid dividends. Just having the ability to reach out and speak with someone local - even be able to text some of the bankers - it couldn’t be any better.”

Now instead of sitting on hold all day with an out-of-state customer service representative, Tim can focus on running his business and positively impact the local economy while Freedom First’s bankers handle all the hassle. If he needs capital to expand his business, he knows where he can turn. This is a perfect example of how Freedom First is poised to help our local businesses and community members.