Brittany Penny named on Black Impact Magazine's 100 Entrepreneurs To Know

Brittany Penny is not just building another spirits brand. She’s rewriting the narrative of who belongs at the table, or in her case, behind the bar. As the visionary co-founder and CEO of 2 Cents Inc., Brittany has emerged as a bold, culture-shifting force in the beverage industry. Born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, the epicenter of bourbon, Brittany grew up with a deep reverence for the legacy, craftsmanship, and soul of America's native spirit. But she also recognized something was missing: representation, innovation, and space for fresh perspectives.

In 2020, during one of the most uncertain moments in modern history, Brittany took a leap of faith. Pregnant with her first child and navigating the complexities of a global pandemic, she and her husband James launched 2 Cents Inc. The mission? To create spirits that bring people together, through culture, conversation, and community. Their personal mantra, “There’s room on the bar for all of us,” became the heartbeat of the brand, a rallying cry for inclusion in an industry long defined by exclusivity.

Their first release, The IX (pronounced The Nine) Bourbon, debuted in 2021. A labor of love crafted from a blend of several unique barrels, The IX was a bold 95-proof expression with notes of buttery toffee and a cinnamon spice finish, a smooth, yet powerful metaphor for the woman behind the brand. The following year, The IX received national recognition, winning a Gold Medal at the prestigious John Barleycorn Awards. The IX Bourbon allowed Brittany to make history as the first Black woman to own and lead a bourbon brand in Kentucky.

Still, Brittany wasn’t content with stopping at bourbon. In 2024, she pushed the envelope once again with the launch of Audacitea®, a perfectly distilled canned cocktail made with premium vodka, organic black tea, real lemon juice, and other natural flavors with zero carbonation. Designed for those who want flavor and quality without compromise, Audacitea® quickly captured attention for its smooth taste, clean ingredients, and unapologetic vibe. By 2025, it had earned global acclaim, taking home the title of World’s Best Specialty Cocktail at the World Drinks Awards.

Armed with an MBA in digital marketing, Brittany’s superpower lies in marrying strategy with innovation. She leads with authenticity all while building a brand that’s both polished and personal, rooted in culture while pushing boundaries. Through 2 Cents Inc., she continues to amplify stories that often go untold in the spirits world, proving that success doesn’t have to fit into a traditional mold.

Brittany is more than a founder; she’s a mother, a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc, a mentor, a disruptor, and a living example of what it means to bet on yourself. Her journey serves as a powerful reminder that greatness is born not from perfection, but from perseverance.

Connect with Brittany.

linkedin.com/in/brittanypenny