Discussing Cocktails with Merrilee Kick

Merrilee Kick is the CEO/Founder of BuzzBallz/Southern Champion, the only woman-owned Distillery/Winery/Brewery combination in the United States. The company is in Carrollton, Texas,  and makes ready-to-drink cocktails called BuzzBallz, as well as spirits like rum, vodka, gin, bourbon, and some private label brands. The products are sold in 49 states and 21 countries.  The company is family owned/operated and home to over 150 employees in the Dallas area. The company supports education-based causes. She is a winner of the Dallas Business Journal’s 2019 Most Admired CEO Award; the 2018 EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award Southwest; EY's Winning Women Award 2016; Winner of the Enterprising Women's Award 2017 and 2020’s Top 20 Award; Winner of the WPO’s 50 Fastest companies, Ranked in the Top 50 DFW Businesses by D CEO Magazine in 2020; Winner of the Top Women in Grocery in 2020;  and Winner of the 2013 Distinguished Alumni Award from Texas Woman’s University.