Women In Beverage look distressed asking for a non-alcoholic drink . That just made me so sad . No person should feel embarrassed to order a perfectly reasonable beverage at a bar , no matter what it is .
So I wrote the Spiritfree Manifesto with the hope of changing the way we talked about non-alcoholic drinks , to pull them out of this sense of judgment . Non-alcoholic drinks have always had silly names that lessened the quality of the drink , such as kiddie cocktails or virgin such-and-such .
All these names implied something that was lacking , and there ’ s nothing lacking about these drinks — they ’ re thoughtfully crafted , and often took more skill and time to prepare than drinks with alcohol . There is no compromise with drinks that are spiritfree .
Who are your professional role models ? Noah and Cara Sandoval , my business partners . Years ago , a friend had a birthday dinner at their Chicago restaurant Senza . From the moment we stepped in , it was the warmest and most welcoming experience , with spot-on service and magnificent execution . Everyone who worked there seemed happy and enjoyed being there .
I ’ d find out that ’ s all because of Noah and Cara and the culture of care that they have created where staff feel safe and respected . I ’ ve worked at places where that wasn ’ t the case — places where you ’ d get yelled at or worse all in the name of the pursuit of greatness or perfection .
Noah and Cara showed me that you can be really awesome people and still be at the top of your game . They showed that you don ’ t have to step on anyone to get your goals , and that it is about hiring and cultivating good people first . The rest will follow .
Margaret Jabour
Margaret Jabour is executive vice president of retailer Twin Liquors in Austin , TX .
How did you get into the beverage alcohol business ? I grew up in the industry . At age seven , I began working in my father ’ s package store , a combination liquor and drug store that had a soda fountain in the back . I enjoyed watching my dad interact with his customers and learned the importance of relationships watching him .
I was intending on going into the fashion industry when my father decided to retire in 1981 . At that time , my brother , David , and I decided to keep the family business going as third generation with the desire to elevate the beverage alcohol industry .
My goal was to bring the department store shopping experience into the wine and spirits industry in a way that would attract the female consumer . We did this through refined and education-oriented stores .
Margaret Jabour
What makes you a successful leader ? My intuition , positive mindset , vision , and problem-solving skills . My intuitiveness allows me to plan and react to challenges and opportunities before they become greater issues . My positive outlook gives me the confidence and enthusiasm needed to motivate and encourage my team .
A strong team is important for success . Together my team and I can strategize and create new opportunities and come together to defeat challenging situations . I spend the first hours of every new day meditating and problem-solving , approaching each day in a positive manner setting precedence for the success of my team .
How important is mentorship ? Did you receive any coming up , and do you provide it to women in your organization ? Mentorship is extremely important because it allows for trust , respect , and honest communication . A team is built through mentorship . I was blessed to be born into a family that loves people and life . They always put others ’ needs first , an important attribute for a business leader .
I am proud to mentor women in my business and in the industry and am proud to say that I have mentored many . When I entered the industry in 1982 there were very few women . Today I am
happy to say that women compose around 40 % of all associates at Twin . My door is always open , and I welcome my team to reach out to me should they ever need guidance . I like to think of myself as the mom of the company .
How has your company benefited from having women at the table making decisions ? Absolutely ! Having women on the team allows for a diversity that fosters creativity and new ways of thinking , providing an organized , creative , and open-minded approach that resonates across the company . Women tend to be able to share personal stories that allow inspiration and change that is essential in keeping our company strong and relevant .
Who are your professional role models ? My family . My parents taught me the value of meaningful relationships and showed me the importance of love for others . These lessons are the foundation upon which I have built my business .
Watching my maternal aunt , a strong businesswoman with a strong personality and a passion for people , inspired me to understand the confidence it takes to be a leader . My maternal uncle encouraged me to take chances and have courage to take a leadership role in business . At the age of 13 , I took on my first management position and was responsible for managing a team of four women .
Fawn Weaver
Fawn Weaver is CEO and cofounder of Uncle Nearest , a Shelbyville , TN-based premium whiskey brand named after the formerly enslaved man , Nathan " Nearest " Green , who taught a young Jack Daniel to distill .
How did you get into the beverage alcohol business ? I got into the beverage alcohol business when uncovering the story of the first known African American master distiller ,
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