A business run by a family of pharmacists is growing rapidly in Saratoga County. The founder’s dream of using local products to compete with some of the top spirit companies in the country was so contagious other relatives became involved.

The ingredient that sets Saratoga Courage Distillery apart is authenticity.

“It is our family company and that is what he wanted it to be,” said Kellie Fisher, a relative of the founder who now works for the company.

The water used in their stillhouse flows naturally beneath the building, located in the owner Serge Shishik's backyard.

“He had the water tested. It was rich [in] magnesium and calcium, and so being pharmacists we really knew it would be beneficial in some way,” said Serene Mastrianni, the founder’s sister who also now works for the distillery.

The family makes vodka and moonshine, even though CEO and wife of Serge, Holly Shishik, is not much of a drinker.

“It is ironic. I know, I know,” Holly said.

But she’s deeply passionate about the product.

“He was constantly planning for what was to come next,” Holly said, talking about her husband.

Just as the products were beginning gain notoriety, Serge was diagnosed with lung cancer. In 2016, after a year and a half battle with cancer, 43-year-old Serge Shishik passed away.

“His products are here, his life is here, and his kids are here,” Mastrianni said.

Holly now runs the company with the help of Serge’s sister Serene and her cousin Kelly. A portrait of Serge hangs over their production space.

“I feel like even without the picture he’s here you know? Everything about this place you still feel him.”

Tragedy brought these women together in business, and they’ve brought out the best in each other.

“We have grown the brand here in this market over 150 percent,” Mastrianni said.

The family is determined to make Courage Distilling a nationally-known brand.

“When there’s the most amount of loss and grief, there’s always something that blooms out of it,” Mastrianni said.

Saratoga Courage Distillery is also partly owned by Kevin McCarthy, Serge’s uncle. 

McCarthy and Holly Shishik are managing members of the executive board. He is credited with helping Serge build up the company from almost the very beginning.

He was unable to be present for Wednesday’s interview.