Trailblazing Black Entrepreneur Shatters Glass Ceilings
In a remarkable feat, Fawn Weaver, the founder and CEO of the world’s fastest-growing Black-owned whiskey brand, Uncle Nearest, has achieved billionaire status.
Her spirits empire, valued at an impressive $1.1 billion, has catapulted her into the elite ranks of America’s wealthiest self-made women, as recognized by Forbes magazine.
“The right money will find you if you’re turning down the wrong money,” Weaver told Forbes, reflecting on her unwavering determination.
Bootstrapping a Billion-Dollar Brand
Weaver’s journey to success is a testament to her entrepreneurial grit. In 2017, she and her husband Keith took a massive risk, selling all their West Coast real estate, including their dream home in Old Agoura, California, and two Mini Coopers, to bootstrap their spirits venture. Despite tanked credit scores, Weaver’s faith in her vision remained steadfast.
Honoring a Pioneering Spirit: Nathan “Nearest” Green
The inspiration behind Uncle Nearest stems from the remarkable story of Nathan “Nearest” Green, a formerly enslaved man who taught a young Jack Daniel the craft of distilling. After learning about Green’s legacy, Weaver was determined to honor his name and contributions to the whiskey industry.
“When I went to the family, I asked, ‘what is the one thing you think should happen to honor Nearest?’ They responded, ‘we think his name should be on a bottle,'” Weaver previously told ESSENCE.
Empowering a Legacy of Excellence
Weaver’s mission extends beyond building a successful whiskey brand. She established a foundation to pay for the college education of all of Green’s descendants, aiming to revive the family’s legacy of excellence and work ethic that had faded over generations.
With Uncle Nearest projected to generate over $100 million in revenue this year and Weaver’s personal net worth estimated at $480 million by Forbes, her remarkable achievement serves as an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly in the Black community.
Shattering Glass Ceilings, One Bottle at a Time
In a record-breaking year for female entrepreneurs, Weaver joins an elite group of 31 self-made women billionaires, up from 24 a year ago.
As one of the 11 newcomers to the list, alongside singer Katy Perry, Weaver’s success story shatters glass ceilings and paves the way for future generations of business leaders.
