Fawn Weaver turned southern Tennessee into her whiskey playground with Uncle Nearest distillery in Shelbyville. It’s not just a distillery—it’s a 458-acre whiskey wonderland. Visitors can take a history walk, taste whiskey at four different spots, enjoy the world’s longest bar (518 feet!), listen to live music, explore an aging barn, and feast on barbecue and Tennessee treats like Mountain Dew and Goo-Goo Clusters. Competing with Jack Daniel’s, which draws 300,000 visitors annually, Uncle Nearest offers a unique and rich historical experience.
Building Her Empire
Weaver launched Uncle Nearest seven years ago to honor Nearest Green, the first master distiller of Jack Daniel’s and a former slave. “I don’t believe you own the brand unless you own the land,” says Weaver. This belief in ownership is rooted in the history of Black people often renting and building for others.
Since its debut in 2017, Uncle Nearest has tripled its sales since 2021 and aims for $100 million in revenue this year. According to IWSR, it’s the fastest-growing American whiskey brand in history. Forbes estimates the brand is worth $1.1 billion, with Weaver’s 40% stake placing her at $480 million, ranking her No. 68 on Forbes’ Richest Self-Made Women list.
How did Weaver achieve this? She avoided venture capital and private equity, opting for 163 individual investors, each contributing an average of $500,000. No single investor holds more than 2.3%, and Weaver retains 80% of voting rights with her husband, Keith. This structure keeps her in control while maintaining a decentralized ownership model.
Her Background Story
Weaver’s success is even more impressive considering her background. Raised in a strict Christian household, her father was a Motown hitmaker turned minister who struggled financially. At 15, Fawn Weaver left home rather than comply with her parents’ rules. She dropped out of high school, lived in housing projects, and experienced homelessness. After a dark period where she attempted to take her own life, Weaver found her purpose and began working in public relations.
What do you think about Weaver’s journey from homelessness to millionaire status? Does her story inspire you to overcome your own challenges?
In 2016, Fawn Weaver read a story about Nearest Green that changed her life. As a result, for her 40th birthday, she and Keith visited Lynchburg, Tennessee, intending to write a book about Green. Instead, they bought the 300-acre farm where Green had taught Jack Daniel how to make whiskey. Consequently, this purchase marked the beginning of Uncle Nearest.
Criteria for Self-Made Success
Weaver’s achievements have earned her a score of 10 on Forbes’ America’s Self-Made Women List 2024. Indeed, it reflects her rise from poverty and significant obstacles. In fact, her journey offers a powerful lesson for Black women globally. Weaver’s focus on ownership, resilience, and vision shows that it’s possible to rewrite history and build a lasting legacy.
Her Vision
Meanwhile, her vision for Uncle Nearest extends beyond whiskey. She recently bought Domaine Saint Martin, a 100-acre estate in France, to venture into cognac. She plans to expand her distillery in Shelbyville, build a hotel, and organize local events. Weaver’s ultimate goal is to own 100% of Uncle Nearest and eventually pass it on to Nearest Green’s descendants.
Weaver’s story is about resilience, ownership, and vision. Her journey inspires Black women everywhere to dare to dream big and create a legacy that honors their history and builds a better future.
What do you think of Weaver prioritizing legacy over personal profit? Would you do the same in her shoes? Kindly share your thoughts!
