Catherine Blier is clearly an exceptional entrepreneur. Her spirit, charisma, and vision of regional development are notable. A veritable “idea machine,” she does not hesitate to create, try things, clear paths, and collaborate with other businesses.
Catherine co-created the Distillerie Vent du nord with the deep conviction that it is possible to make a difference as an entrepreneur.
“Making gin is actually a pretext,” Catherine says. “What we really want to do is to showcase our region and create circular energy using natural resources and their waste.”
The regional berries that are used to make the company’s precious gin are processed through a collaborative effort with other local businesses into different products such as shampoo bars, body scrubs, bath bombs, and candles.
The distillery also partners with Cadelli, a company that is working with the Centre d’expérimentation et de développement en forêt boréale for a research and development project using berries from the Côte-Nord. In part, this project will identify the properties of the region’s berries for the cosmetics industry.
“It is very important for us to make 100% use of our resources and to find as many solutions as possible to process waste,” Catherine says. “We have to respect the product we take from the ground. That’s our responsibility.”
At the helm of the business, Catherine explains that her vision of growth is based on social and environmental values.
The distillery uses an artisanal approach to making its products and does not want to do it any other way. “That is what distinguishes us, and I want to keep this differentiator; it makes me very proud.” The company offers four products: Le Norkōtié gin (delicate flavours gliding between berries and bark before descending into gentle saline notes), Le Norkōtié aged gin, Arkosa gin (sea buckthorn, cranberry, and dune pepper), and Églantine liqueur. The online store features accessories for making cocktails and clothing in the company colours. It also offers recipes for drinking or eating that are great sources of inspiration!
The company decided to lean heavily into social marketing to spread the word. “We have a presence and are involved in regional events, particularly La Fête de la Camerise. We also partner with the company Attitude Nordique, adding a special touch to their event with our cocktails. This means we have direct contact with people and can form ties. Human contact is essential to me. We aren’t selling a product; we’re selling an experience with the distillery. That’s what resonates with me and drives me!”
“It’s important for me to contribute to the vitality and visibility of the region. The Côte-Nord needs innovative entrepreneurs; the opportunities are out there! People just need to see them. Our area has enormous potential. We can no longer rely solely on big businesses to ensure economic development. We have to develop entrepreneurial values and raise people’s awareness.”
Although the Côte-Nord is not where she was born, Catherine feels at home there. “There is a wonderful sense of belonging in the region. People get involved, and you want to make things happen together. I couldn’t have chosen a better region to adopt.”
Catherine is passionate in everything she does. She is right to bank on social marketing, because to meet her is to be infected by her energy and to want to introduce her business to others. Her products are as unique as she is.
Catherine has combined her marvelous energy with her entrepreneurial values. And this happy marriage is part of each tasting, to our great pleasure!
To learn more about Distillerie Vent du Nord
