Who is Doug Mulford?
Note: I used AI assistance to help write and structure this website, but I want to be absolutely clear—this is a true story. Every detail, every date, every dollar amount, and every interaction described here actually happened. The events are real, the financial loss was real, and the warning is genuine.
If you're searching for Doug Mulford the distiller — the Gulf Coast liquor entrepreneur behind LAB Distillery and a portfolio of spirits brands, who has appeared on camera discussing his distilling work — you're in the right place. This is a firsthand account of what happened when I did business with him.
Hi, I'm Doug. Well, not really. I'm the guy Doug left hanging after I generously loaned him a six-figure sum. Let me take you on a rollercoaster ride through this wild tale of trust, betrayal, and canned cocktails.
A Business Mastermind Group
Our story starts in an exclusive business mastermind group. You know, the kind filled with highly successful folks full of integrity. It was through a member of that group that I first crossed paths with Doug. He had a business idea as intriguing as his charm – Beach Drinks, canned cocktails. He needed that cash to score a sweet deal on bulk pricing from his co-packer.
The Investment
I found myself in Atlanta, eyeballing his production facility and sipping on his concoctions. They weren't exactly world-class, but hey, I've seen worse stuff fly off liquor store shelves. So, with a thumbs-up from yours truly, Doug's business dreams were off to the races.
Now, I wasn't born yesterday. I'd done my homework. I'd seen enough barroom drama to know that the alcohol biz can be a real gold mine when done right. So, I decided to play venture capitalist for a day and gave Doug the loan, with a 25% interest rate to sweeten the deal. What could possibly go wrong, right?
The First Red Flags
But then, as they say, the plot thickens. When August 20th rolled around, I thought it was payday, so I kindly sent Doug the wiring instructions. He called me up and said, "I thought I had until September 15th." My heart dropped. This wasn't the first time Doug tried to deceive me. Halfway through the loan period, he had the audacity to ask for more cash. The pit in my stomach? It was practically a black hole by now.
The Day of Broken Promises
I, being the stand-up guy I am, stuck to our original agreement, burying my suspicions for later. September 15th arrives, and that's when the fireworks start. Doug spun me a yarn about wires, ACH transfers, and bank mysteries that even Sherlock Holmes couldn't solve.
Face to Face
Enough was enough. I drove down and confronted Doug face-to-face. To catch him, I suggested we meet at the bank and get things sorted. Doug? He tried to steer me to a different bank in Pensacola. But I wasn't having it. We had a date with destiny, with the banker in Gulf Breeze who handled the ACH transfer. Doug knew the jig was up.
So, we met at a hotel, and I even tried recording our conversation. But Doug threatened to clam up if I kept the recorder on, so I reluctantly obliged.
He Confessed to All the Lies
You know what he did? He confessed to all the lies!
For two hours, he performed a one-man show, delivering an Oscar-worthy act. Earlier, he told me he'd wired the money, now admitting that he hadn't. Then he said it was an ACH transfer and would arrive in a couple of days – spoiler alert: it didn't. Next, he claimed the bank needed to pull the money back. I'm no banking expert, but that's not how banks work, is it?
The Final Broken Promise
Trying to bide my time as I sought legal counsel, we came to a new arrangement. Doug vowed to repay me in substantial monthly installments, starting on October 13th.
As the fateful day neared, I called Doug, and he dodged my calls and texted more lies. He finally told me he was walking into the bank, and I would have the wire in 20 minutes. It never came.
A Court Judgement
The money never came — but the legal system did. I pursued the matter through the courts, and a judgement has been entered against Doug Mulford. That judgement is the factual anchor of everything on this site: this isn't a grudge, it's a record.