Today we’d like to introduce you to Teresa Eichner
Hi Teresa, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
In February 2016, Teresa Eichner was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis after waking up with 100% vision loss in her left eye. Since then, she has led MS Walk teams, served on the North Florida area board, and lobbied in Florida and Washington, D.C., among other things. She is also a recipient of the North Florida Chapter Volunteer of the Year Award.
In 2020, the pandemic hindered fundraising, as WalkMS 2021 would be a virtual event. She decided it was time to get creative and use her love of Bourbon to raise money in hopes of finding a cure for her and millions of others living with MS.
This was the birth of Jax Bourbon Social. In 2021 Teresa, Andy Goethe and Cody Mitchko, hosted their first event where distilleries from all over the country were invited at no charge to share sips and educate guests about whiskey while helping raise money for an amazing cause. Since their first event, Jax Bourbon Social has grown to more than 550 guests and has raised more than $300,000 for the National MS Society. They are hosting an annual golf classic in 2025 to increase their fundraising for a cure.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Jax Bourbon Social has had many successes in its 4-year history. Along with those successes come many challenges. Our ability to manage how quickly we have grown and finding time to get it all done remains a struggle. Our entire team all have “day jobs” and usually spend nights and weekends, updating the website, getting sponsors, selling tickets, and reaching out to vendors. Nobody on our team gets a paycheck from JBS. This is truly a labor of love for all of us. We have been blessed by a community that welcomed us with open arms, and we work together as a team to stay mission-focused.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Jax Bourbon Social has been recognized by several media outlets for its work to help find a cure for Multiple Sclerosis. They include The Florida Times-Union; featured on the front page of the Metro Section; the Momentum Magazine (The National MS Society Magazine), Whiskey & Leisure Magazine, Buzz Media, and First Coast Living.
We are most proud that we are about to be a sold-out event each year and to be able to say the number of bourbon distilleries who participate has doubled each year. We pride ourselves on the relationships and friendships we have built in three years with so many in the industry and those who enjoy a pour or two.
Any big plans?
In 2025, we are adding an annual golf classic to the annual events we host. We are looking forward to the day no one has to hear “You have MS”.
Pricing:
- $100 per tasting event ticket
- $125 per golfer in tournament
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jaxbourbonsocial.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaxbourbonsocial/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069672115528
