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.
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Ep 383 – Emilio del Conde: Chupes Finos, Macheé Mezcal, a New Kid on the Block
Emilio del Conde grew up in Tecate, crossing the U.S.-Mexico border every day for school, an experience that shaped the way he sees people, culture, and opportunity. That drive took him from sales and finance to founding Chupes Finos (importer, distributor, and more) in Carrollton, Texas. In this episode, Emilio shares how a passion for collecting mezcal turned into a partnership with Leo Garcia and Macheé Mezcal, while we dive into border culture, entrepreneurship, community, and the connections that great spirits create. It’s an honest, insightful conversation full of great stories—and one that proves Emilio is only getting started.
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Ep 372 – Naomi Michial Ayala: Behind the Scenes
Naomi Michial Ayala has achieved profound things in the hospitality industry and somehow has never been thrown into the spotlight. With almost 20 years in the business, Naomi has bartended, educated, led the Dallas USBG, and continues to be a consummate professional and role model to others. Her latest chapter with CVH Spirits, brings her back to the world of Scotch whisky and with more horsepower than ever. We chat health, gardening, performative questions, and more.
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Ep 314 – Tyler Jay Wang: Treasures in Plain Sight
Tyler Jay Wang is a personable, likable, and massive personality in the Agave industry. His years behind the bar transitioned into one of the best roles in Tequila, brand ambassador for El Tesoro. His rich experience in acting, theater, and arts bring a unique experience to the way in which he recants tales of the Camarena legacy. We sit down and chat after a year of not doing any interviews in person. We are back to a new beginning. We chat social media, superman complex, family, and of course El Tesoro.
