Inspired to Disrupt: Mara Smith - A Mom, a Mission, and the Tequila Industry: Ep 19

Ownership Over Everything: Carrying the Legacy of Greenwood Through Whiskey w/Kweillen “KG” Gordon

In this episode of The Liquid Entrepreneur, Monte sits down with Kweillin “KG” Gordon, Co-Founder & CEO of Greenwood Whiskey, to unpack the entrepreneurial journey that led from basement conversations to a nationally distributed spirits brand.  Before Greenwood, there was movement — from Pennsylvania to Maryland, Georgia, North Carolina, and Texas — chasing opportunity and searching for purpose. KG once dreamed of becoming a sports agent. He worked multiple jobs. He wrestled with a restless mind. Eventually, he bet on himself through entrepreneurism…launching an insurance company before ever stepping into the spirits industry.  What started as a hangout in a basement with his  friends — an analytical mind, an attorney, and a logistics operator — turned into a bigger conversation about ownership, representation, and building something rooted in community.  This episode explores:  • The courage to pivot without a blueprint  • Why entrepreneurship starts with belief before clarity  • How four friends aligned their strengths to build Greenwood Whiskey  • And what it really means to carry legacy through ownership  Greenwood wasn’t just a product idea. It was a decision.  If you're building something from scratch — this conversation is for you.    Best place to learn from founders, owners and entrepreneurs ▪️W: https://theliquidentrepreneur.co [https://theliquidentrepreneur.co/]     The Liquid Entrepreneur on Social ▪️IG: https://www.instagram.com/theliquidentrepreneur [https://www.instagram.com/theliquidentrepreneur] ▪️TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theliquidentrepreneur [https://www.tiktok.com/@theliquidentrepreneur] ▪️X: https://twitter.com/TLEntrepreneur [https://twitter.com/TLEntrepreneur]   The Host ▪️IG: https://www.instagram.com/iammonteb [https://www.instagram.com/iammonteb]   The Guest ▪️IG: https://www.instagram.com/mr.kweillin [https://www.instagram.com/mr.kweillin]    The Product ▪️W: https://greenwoodwhiskey.com/ [https://greenwoodwhiskey.com/] ▪️IG: https://www.instagram.com/greenwoodwhiskey [https://www.instagram.com/greenwoodwhiskey] #TheLiquidEntrepreneur #GreenwoodWhiskey #Partnership #BeverageIndustry #Entrepreneurship #BHM  Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2129550/support]

From Crisis to Comeback: Chris Montana on Building Du Nord Social Spirits: Ep 20

In this episode of The Liquid Entrepreneur, we sit down with Chris Montana, Founder of Du Nord Social Spirits, to unpack the real story behind the brand. Chris shares his entrepreneurial journey—from personal setbacks and systemic challenges to rebuilding with purpose, resilience, and conviction. This is an honest conversation about leadership under pressure, betting on yourself when the odds are stacked, and building a spirits brand that stands for more than what’s in the bottle. Whether you’re a founder, investor, or anyone navigating adversity, this episode is a powerful reminder that comeback stories are built one decision at a time. Watch the video of this episode on YouTube, LIKE and SUBSCRIBE: https://youtu.be/IjfbJTfj7fk [https://youtu.be/IjfbJTfj7fk] Best place to learn from founders, owners and entrepreneurs ▪️W: https://theliquidentrepreneur.co [https://theliquidentrepreneur.co/]     The Liquid Entrepreneur on Social ▪️IG: https://www.instagram.com/theliquidentrepreneur [https://www.instagram.com/theliquidentrepreneur] ▪️TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theliquidentrepreneur [https://www.tiktok.com/@theliquidentrepreneur] ▪️X: https://twitter.com/TLEntrepreneur [https://twitter.com/TLEntrepreneur]   The Host ▪️IG: https://www.instagram.com/iammonteb [https://www.instagram.com/iammonteb]   The Product ▪️W: https://dunordsocialspirits.com/ [https://dunordsocialspirits.com/] ▪️IG: https://www.instagram.com/dunordspirits/ [https://www.instagram.com/dunordspirits/] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2129550/support]

Inspired to Disrupt: Mara Smith - A Mom, a Mission, and the Tequila Industry: Ep 19

On this episode of The Liquid Entrepreneur, we sit down with Mara Smith — former attorney, corporate strategist, and now the inspiring founder of Inspiro Tequila. After stepping away from the workforce to raise her kids, Mara reentered the game with bold ambition: to create a clean, additive-free tequila brand that reflects and respects the thoughtful female consumer. With no prior experience in spirits, she immersed herself in the tequila world—researching, cold-calling experts, and even becoming CRT-certified—proving that passion and persistence can outperform pedigree. In this honest and empowering conversation, Mara shares: ·         How she turned a personal need into a purpose-driven brand ·         Why she scrapped her first production run (and what that taught her about quality) ·         And how community, curiosity, and courage fueled her growth Whether you’re a founder, investor, or just someone who loves a good story—this episode delivers. #TheLiquidEntrepreneur #InspiroTequila #FemaleFounders #BeverageIndustry #Entrepreneurship #WomenInSpirits Watch the video of this episode on YouTube, LIKE and SUBSCRIBE: https://youtu.be/sUFpRIbPchM [https://youtu.be/sUFpRIbPchM]  Best place to learn from founders, owners and entrepreneurs ▪️W: https://theliquidentrepreneur.co [https://theliquidentrepreneur.co/]     The Liquid Entrepreneur on Social... ▪️IG: https://www.instagram.com/theliquidentrepreneur [https://www.instagram.com/theliquidentrepreneur] ▪️TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theliquidentrepreneur [https://www.tiktok.com/@theliquidentrepreneur] ▪️Twitter: https://twitter.com/TLEntrepreneur [https://twitter.com/TLEntrepreneur]   The Host... ▪️IG: https://www.instagram.com/iammonteb [https://www.instagram.com/iammonteb]   The Guest... ▪️IG: https://www.instagram.com/beinspiredbymara/ [https://www.instagram.com/beinspiredbymara/]   The Product... ▪️W: https://inspirotequila.com/ [https://inspirotequila.com/] ▪️IG: https://www.instagram.com/inspirotequila/ [https://www.instagram.com/inspirotequila/] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2129550/support]

Breaking Whiskey Barriers: The Journey of Abisola Abidemi and Abisola Whiskey: Ep 18

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Abisola Abidemi, the visionary founder of Abisola Whiskey! In this episode, we dive into her entrepreneurial journey, from developing a passion for whiskey in college to creating a brand that challenges industry norms. Abisola shares the highs and lows of starting her own whiskey brand, the lessons she’s learned, and the innovations that have shaped Abisola Whiskey into a product that celebrates smooth, young whiskey. With her unique perspective on breaking barriers in the alcohol industry, Abisola sheds light on how she defied expectations, built a brand, and carved out space for women in the whiskey world. If you're an aspiring entrepreneur, alcohol enthusiast, or simply love a great success story, this episode is for you. Get ready for real talk, behind-the-scenes insights, and valuable advice for anyone looking to make their mark in the world of spirits. Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more inspiring entrepreneurial stories! Watch the video of this episode on YouTube, LIKE and SUBSCRIBE: https://youtu.be/1ntsXjyuXV0 [https://youtu.be/1ntsXjyuXV0]  Best place to learn from founders, owners and entrepreneurs ▪️W: https://theliquidentrepreneur.co [https://theliquidentrepreneur.co/]     The Liquid Entrepreneur on Social ▪️IG: https://www.instagram.com/theliquidentrepreneur [https://www.instagram.com/theliquidentrepreneur] ▪️TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theliquidentrepreneur [https://www.tiktok.com/@theliquidentrepreneur] ▪️Twitter: https://twitter.com/TLEntrepreneur [https://twitter.com/TLEntrepreneur]   The Host ▪️IG: https://www.instagram.com/iammonteb [https://www.instagram.com/iammonteb]   The Guest ▪️IG: https://www.instagram.com/lovealwaysabisola/ [https://www.instagram.com/lovealwaysabisola/]   The Product ▪️W: https://www.cheerswithabisola.com/ [https://www.cheerswithabisola.com/] ▪️IG: https://www.instagram.com/cheerswithabisola [https://www.instagram.com/cheerswithabisola] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2129550/support]

Navigating the Waters of Entrepreneurship: Troy Pepito’s Genuine Spirit Story: Ep 17

Join us in this inspiring episode of The Liquid Entrepreneur as we dive into the remarkable journey of Troy Pepito, the CEO and Founder of Genuine Spirit Company. From Navy Chief Petty Officer to a dynamic leader in the adult beverage industry, Troy’s story is a testament to passion, resilience, and innovation. Discover how a home brewing hobby in his garage evolved into a thriving business that now reaches over 140 military bases across multiple states. Troy shares his insights on navigating the complexities of the alcohol supply chain, the challenges of start-ups, and his collaboration with veteran-owned distillery Hotel Tango. Learn about how Troy's military background shapes his approach to leadership and quality. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or simply curious about the world of craft spirits, this episode is packed with valuable lessons and inspiration. Don’t miss this chance to hear from a true pioneer who is redefining excellence in the beverage industry! Tune in, share, and raise a glass to the entrepreneurial spirit! Watch the video of this episode on YouTube, LIKE and SUBSCRIBE: https://youtu.be/tGkDOYCu6Qo [https://youtu.be/tGkDOYCu6Qo]  Best place to learn from founders, owners and entrepreneurs ▪️W: https://theliquidentrepreneur.co [https://theliquidentrepreneur.co/]     The Liquid Entrepreneur on Social ▪️IG: https://www.instagram.com/theliquidentrepreneur [https://www.instagram.com/theliquidentrepreneur] ▪️TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theliquidentrepreneur [https://www.tiktok.com/@theliquidentrepreneur] ▪️Twitter: https://twitter.com/TLEntrepreneur [https://twitter.com/TLEntrepreneur]   The Host ▪️IG: https://www.instagram.com/iammonteb [https://www.instagram.com/iammonteb]   The Guest ▪️IG: https://www.instagram.com/troy.m.pepito/ [https://www.instagram.com/troy.m.pepito/]   The Product ▪️W: https://aprilonebourbon.com/ [https://aprilonebourbon.com/] ▪️IG: https://www.instagram.com/genuinespiritcompany/ [https://www.instagram.com/genuinespiritcompany/] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2129550/support]