Building A Woman-Owned Spirits Brand with Mara Smith, Founder and CEO, Inspiro Tequilla

by | Jan 15, 2025 | Entrepreneurship, Leadership

Discover the ingredients of building a women-owned spirit brand in this episode of Women Leaders on the Move.  Host Natalie Benamou sits down with Mara Smith, Founder and CEO of Inspiro Tequila, LLC, to discuss her extraordinary journey from corporate lawyer to visionary entrepreneur. Mara shares her story of redefining the spirits industry with an all-women-led company that is female-owned, operated, and funded by women investors.

A former attorney at a large law firm, Mara left her corporate career to focus on raising her children, including twins born prematurely. After a 16-year break from the workforce, she reentered with a bold goal: to create a premium tequila brand designed with women in mind.

Launching Inspiro Tequila during the pandemic came with significant challenges, including sourcing ingredients from Mexico and navigating complex industry regulations—all while managing her family at home. Mara’s determination to deliver a product rooted in quality and transparency drove her success.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

  • Her career pivot: “I realized there were no role models showing me how to balance corporate life and family, so I decided to create my own path.”
  • The inspiration behind Inspiro Tequila: “Women told me they loved tequila, but I didn’t see brands connecting with them. That was the spark I needed.”
  • Funding her business: “I wanted the brand to reflect its mission—being created, owned, and funded by women.”

From working with a female master distiller to building a team of women investors, Mara’s journey reflects her commitment to inclusion and innovation.
Memorable Quotes:

"After a 16-year career break, I knew I wanted to build something meaningful and designed with women in mind"-Mara Smith

 

 

“Starting a business during a pandemic was challenging, but it taught me to embrace every obstacle as part of the journey."

 

Women told me they loved tequila, but no brands were speaking to them. That was the spark I needed to create Inspiro.

 

  3 steps to bring your vision to life like Inspiro:

  1. Leverage Connections: Take every introduction, seek advice, and build relationships that can open doors. 
  2. Start with Purpose: Define a clear mission and ensure it is reflected in every decision, from your product design to your company culture.
  3. Research the Market: Dive deep into your industry to understand gaps, consumer needs, and opportunities for innovation.

    Listen to this inspiring episode to learn how you can create a brand that stands out and serves with intention.

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    About Mara Smith

    Mara Smith is the founder and CEO of Inspiro Tequila, a clean, additive-free tequila brand crafted with discerning female consumers in mind.. She is a mother of three and a former attorney and corporate strategist

    Connect with Mara Smith:

    Thank youMara for being a featured guest on the show!

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    Connect with Host Natalie Benamou, Founder HerCsuite®

    Natalie is the host of "Women Leaders on the Move'' and the Founder of HerCsuite®, a powerful women's network with mastermind memberships and Women on the Move membership connecting listeners with guests of this show. She is dedicated to making it easier for women to achieve success in all aspects of their lives. Natalie is also the Founder and President of HER HEALTHX, a nonprofit focused on improving health outcomes for women.

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