Carlos Mendez Blas never planned to spend his life making mezcal. After leaving Oaxaca to pursue a career as a pilot, family circumstances brought him home, where he transformed a small family palenque into one of the industry’s most respected operations. We talk about leadership, resilience, entrepreneurship, and the responsibility of carrying on a family legacy while staying true to yourself. It’s an honest conversation about purpose, growth, and why the most meaningful journeys are often the ones you never expected to take.
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Ep 387 – Luis Niño de Rivera: You’re Gonna Love It
Luis Niño de Rivera, CEO of Mezcal Amaras, joins me for a conversation about leadership, mentorship, and building one of the world’s most respected mezcal brands. We explore entrepreneurship, sustainability, innovation, and the importance of staying curious, while diving into the diversity of mezcal and the people who bring it to life. It’s an engaging discussion about purpose, craftsmanship, and why the best leaders never stop learning.
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Ep 386 – Francisco Terrazas: Rising Tides Raise All Ships
Francisco “Cisco” Terrazas returns to Show de Vie to reflect on how his journey and the agave industry have evolved over the years. We discuss launching Raíces Imports, his work with the Tequila Interchange Project, and the challenge of balancing entrepreneurship with sustainability, conservation, and fair labor. Along the way, we explore marriage, personal growth, hospitality, and why contributing meaningful ideas matters more than simply adding to the noise. It’s an honest conversation about purpose, progress, and staying true to your values.
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Ep 385 – Meredith Mills-Merritt: Transparency is Where It’s At
Meredith Mills-Merritt didn’t set out to make just another canned cocktail. Drawing on her background in beauty and brand innovation, she reimagined the RTD category with a family Southside recipe built on cleaner ingredients and transparency. We talk about building an alcohol brand from the ground up, why authenticity matters more than marketing, the future of drinking culture, and how the Clean Alcohol Collective is pushing the industry forward. It’s a thoughtful conversation about gin, entrepreneurship, and creating a brand with purpose—not just another product.
