KATIE TOBIN
Marketing Coordinator / Brand Ambassador / Bar Manager , New Riff Distilling
First industry job : New Riff Distilling part-time Favorite drink : Classic gin Martini
New Riff started as a part-time job for Katie Tobin while she was pursuing her Fine Arts degree at the University of Cincinnati . Once she graduated , she became full-time and has been there for almost 10 years .
“ I was drawn to [ founder ] Ken Lewis ’ s vision for New Riff and that was the initial attraction ,” Tobin says . “ I soon learned to love bourbon and discovered I had a propensity for mixology .”
Just as with bourbon , being the new kid on the block came with its fair share of challenges for Tobin . Building credibility , getting people to give her a chance and being able to stand up to the names that everyone already knew was , at times , a major blow to her confidence . She kept going though , and soon enough people were coming back year after year for her creations . Tobin ’ s advice ? “ Just keep trying things . There ' s a saying I love about wine — ‘ Wine is a beverage , not a sacrament .’ I try to impart that same perspective on people who are approaching mixology . For every cocktail or idea I had that ended up being a hit , there would be a handful of losers right behind . Look at food , art , nature and other things to inspire you ,” she says .
JOSH IRVING
Co-Founder and CEO , I & A Agave Spirits
First industry job : Southern Glazer ’ s Houston off-premise sales Favorite drink : Tommy ’ s Margarita with a light Reposado tequila ( Socorro )
I & A Agave Spirits was ready to launch in February 2020 , when “ our business plan was ripped to shreds and panic was at an all-time high ,” Iriving says . “ It not only showed me how strong I was , but also that I create my own definition of reality and success .”
After three years the company ’ s products – Socorro Tequila , Soledad Tequila and Jalisco Liqueur – have sold more than 37,000 cases . Thanks to I & A ’ s “ case for a case program ,” that means 37,000 cases of clean drinking water have also been donated to orphanages in Jalisco , Mexico .
That spirit of giving back fits with the brand ’ s commitment to authenticity and community , with a focus on investing in distillers rather than marketing or celebrity endorsements .
Irving mentors new entrepreneurs throughout Texas , sharing the motto he uses to drive his personal and professional life : “ be a good person , have a good product , do what you say you ’ re going to do , outwork the rest and success will follow .”
“ I like to define success six months in advance ,” he adds . “ If I were able to see into the future , what would I see from myself and my company ?” Especially during a pandemic-era product launch , that focus paid off .
ISABEL MITARAKIS
Winemaker , Concha y Toro
First industry job : Don Melchor assistant Winemaker Favorite drink : Pisco + Cola
Wine has always been a part of Isabel Mitarakis ’ life ever since she was a little girl and helping in the vineyards . “ Wine is a part of my family ' s history and has always been a natural and exciting draw for me ,” she says . “ In school I was always interested in science and drawn to the laboratory , so oenology was a natural fit and an exciting way to focus my interests .”
Throughout the years , Mitarakis has been able to continue to develop and fine tune her skills to the point where she can now oversee her own projects , develop her own ideas and bring them to life with other team members .
Mitarakis believes that success comes from working together as a team . “ This is a business built through teamwork , not focusing on individuality . I think it is important to be humble and always thinking about how to be building and working in a team together ,” she says .
It ’ s also important to work hard and understand the whole process , according to Mitarakis . “ You have to roll up your sleeves — working in the vineyards , the warehouse , the cellar , the lab … if you don ' t know how to really do it , it is difficult to lead ,” she advises .
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