How Panther M*lk pounced on growth
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Like many people across the UK, Paul Crawford lost his job during the pandemic. This setback provided him with a chance to grow his side-hustle - an alcoholic oat milk cocktail called Panther M*lk!
Team Transmit helped Paul to secure a £17,500 Start Up Loan to support his plans for growth, alongside other fundraising activities.
After carefully working on his vision for the Panther M*lk brand, Paul was ready to increase production volumes, as demand for vegan products continues to rise.
For Veganuary, Panther M*lk partnered with San-Franciscan sourdough pizza restaurant Pizza Punks in Liverpool, adding two new plant-based drinks to their menu.
"The White Panther pairs Panther Mlk’s iconic, classic vanilla flavour with coffee liqueur, oat milk and chocolate. The Punk Panther will satisfy any sweet tooth, with Panther Mlk strawberry, white chocolate, topped with fresh strawberries."
In October 2022, Paul spoke to the Start Up Loans Company, part of the British Business Bank. he said:
“This year our focus has been on getting the brand out there and while we’ve got a strong following in Glasgow already, it would be great to see Panther M*lk enjoyed all over the UK. Appearing on Dragon’s Den was brilliant for exposure and even though the deal with Deborah Meaden didn’t go through in the end, her advice and guidance since the show has been invaluable and we still keep in touch.
Panther M*lk was the world’s first ready-to-drink oat drink cocktail and we have worked hard to build a sustainable brand with support from consultants at Dark Art Drinks. We’ve picked up a number of awards and, most recently, we were Vegan Friendly certified. Our packaging is fully recyclable with labels now printed using organic ink and we’re committed to retaining our environmentally friendly approach as production ramps up."
The story of Panther M*lk began in 2015 when Paul was working at his friend’s bar in Glasgow. After coming up with the idea for a milk-based cocktail, Paul was able to trial his drinks at the secret pop-up bar, Bar Tabac, on Mitchell Street.
In 2020 Paul borrowed £13,000 to purchase a horsebox - The Panthermobile - and have it professionally wrapped in Panther Milk branding. The Panthermobile went on a series of adventures over the summer including the festival circuit.
Paul said:
"Finance is a critical element of our expansion programme and it’s great to have had support from our Transmit Startups Business Advisor through the Start Up Loans scheme."
"It is an exciting time for Panther M*lk and our ambitious growth plans are already underway. Glasgow will always be the brand’s home, but we hope that conversations with UK-wide supermarkets could lead to a much wider geographical spread."
Morag Kelly, Senior Business Advisor at Transmit Startups, described what impressed her about Paul's approach.
"Paul has used his unique ideas and previous experience of selling cocktails to create this incredible vegan drink. After using his Start Up Loan to purchase the horsebox, it’s great to see the Panthermobile out and about, professionally wrapped in Panther M*lk branding. It’s been a privilege and a pleasure for Transmit Startups to play a part in Paul’s story.”
Panther M*lk has benefited from considerable press coverage since Paul secured his Start Up Loan through Transmit Startups, including this story in The Herald.
Paul later got in touch with Team Transmit to share the awesome news about a deal with Asda.
Read about Panther M*lk in the Glasgow Times.
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Start Up Loans are available to UK-based businesses that have been trading for less than 36 months.
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