Dave Lincoln and Luke Jones met in high school and have remained best friends ever since, recently starting their own spirits company, Honest, during the global pandemic.
@kiln.studio
@kiln.studioDave
Luke and I first met in third form. I say that he bullied me and he says I bullied him, but we properly met in fourth form on our way to school camp. We sat next to each other on the bus and listened to Eminem on my CD player and our friendship blossomed from there.
We lived close to each other and had a good bunch of mates and we both thought we were pretty funny, so we bonded over that. After high school we both went to Wellington to study, until I moved to Dunedin two years later. We kept in touch and were close mates even when we weren’t living in the same city.
When Covid started, Luke lost his contract as a graphic designer and I was working 10 hours a week max, so we both had some spare time. He messaged me and said, “What if we started a rum company?” I didn’t say much, but went away, did a bit of research and after two weeks I went back to him with this two-page plan about how we could make it work.
I think the real backbone of our business is we are good mates and have the same mindset about a lot of things, but we appreciate each other’s feedback. We cross over quite a bit in our roles, but I’ve got more of a strategic mind, and he’s more creative, so it works in harmony.
We’ve both grown up and matured over the years. We used to be quite mischievous and got ourselves into a bit of trouble, but I think Luke kind of grew up a little bit, as did I. He’s become a very caring person. He’s smart, creative, sporty and he’s a really great friend. He’s always got your back, no matter what.
Luke
Dave and I became best mates when we sat on the bus from fourth form camp together. It was a six-hour trip and Dave had an iPod, so we had a headphone each and listened to music the whole way home. He will say I bullied him in third form, which I definitely did not.
Through high school we were best mates and we both decided to study creative arts. Later, I moved to Melbourne and he invited me to go travelling in Europe with him and two friends. I didn’t think twice. He said, “We’re moving to London at the end of it,” and I was like, “Even better, let’s do it.”
Eventually his visa ended but I stayed for another three years and then Covid happened and I lost my contract. I was flicking through Instagram when I saw a still, so I messaged Dave and asked, “What are your thoughts about starting a rum company?” Two weeks went by and then I got this two-page long thread from him about how we could start.
We both love this job so much that it doesn’t feel like work. With a business you have to trust someone wholeheartedly, and I 100 percent know that Dave’s got my back.
He is possibly the funniest person I’ve ever met and he’s really caring as well. He remembers if you’re going to see someone and he asks you how that person is. He cares a lot about people, but on the other side, he’s also very cheeky.
I feel very lucky that I’ve been able to start a business with Dave, because if we weren’t working together, we’d be hanging out, and it just so happens we are being productive with our hangout time. Every day is a pleasure to work with someone like that. I’ll never have another mate as good as Dave.
