Interview with Mara Smith

Let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there. How did your company get started and why?

I am a former attorney from Chicago. I started drinking tequila when I was looking for a clean, gluten-free spirit that fit into my active lifestyle. For years I searched for a tequila brand that was additive-free with a look, taste, and aroma that appealed to me. That perfect tequila simply did not exist, so I decided to create one. My goal was not just to create a one-of-a-kind tequila, it was also to make women feel seen and relevant in the spirits industry by having women involved in every step of the process from creating the taste profiles to getting bottles on the shelf.

What is your product and how would you describe it?

Inspiro Tequila is an ultra-premium meticulously crafted tequila that is proudly confirmed additive-free. The legendary master distiller, Ana Maria Romero Mena created the silky smooth taste profile and the unique process for handcrafting Inspiro.

How have you pivoted your business this year?

The biggest challenge has been sourcing our raw materials and our product. There have been major delays and we have encountered significant freight issue, like so many other brands.

What is your next challenge to overcome?

The next biggest challenge is getting a distributor for the each of the states we want to launch in. As a spirits brand we cannot sell to any retailers or on-premise accounts without a distributor.

What do you predict for the food industry over the rest of the year?

I think people are going to continue to buy premium products in the spirits industry. For food, I see more “healthier” dessert options entering the industry – lower sugar chocolates and candies but done with better for you substitutes like stevia. I also think more milk alternatives will continue to be introduced as well as ice creams using alternative milks.

Learn more at: Inspirotequila.com