Today we’d like to introduce you to Rikki Kelly.
Hi Rikki, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I got my first job two weeks after turning 15 as a sacker at a local grocery store. It didn’t take me long to realize that I didn’t want to work for someone else, I knew I wanted to work for myself and start a business but I didn’t know what it would be. Three years ago, I left a toxic, dysfunctional construction company and decided to start my own Tequila brand. I’ve always enjoyed drinking a really good Tequila and thought to myself, “the liquor industry is filled with celebrity hotshots and you don’t see a lot of women, especially minority women taking on this industry by themselves.” That’s when the idea came into fruition. I had this idea prior to leaving that company and when I did leave, I told myself that this is the time to start working and building your brand. Right now, we are weeks away from launching!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I came into this industry with not a lot knowledge and no guidance. From working with a distillery in Mexico to developing a consistent brand to securing accounts with wholesalers/retailers, everything was a learning process for me. Not only that, but being a Black women in this industry, I feel sometimes it’s hard to be taken seriously. There are some people that see my brand and see me and they can’t put two and two together. They think, “ there’s no way you can develop a solid brand like this.” When I’m talking about the brand, people assume I work for a distribution company or I’m just a brand representative. So the struggle has definitely been real, but I take it in stride and I don’t let it effect me because at the end of the day, this is my story and I’ve worked so hard to create this brand.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Ego Tequila?
Ego Tequila is a 100% pure agave Tequila. We offer two different types of Tequila, Blanco and Reposado. Ego Tequila was created on three key elements: quality, consistency, and excitement. The landscape of agave-based spirits is crowded with celebrity-owned brands and wannabes, but the thing that makes Ego different is that the juice speaks for itself- no Hollywood hotshots are needed. Our high-quality 100% agave spirit is produced in the heart of Jalisco, Mexico and is perfect in cocktails or as a celebratory shot.
Our mission with Ego Tequila is to provide the customer with a high-value spirit with consistent standards and a distinctive flavor profile. These elements combined are the recipe to create an exciting cocktail experience for newcomers and tequila aficionados alike. While the agave category is intimidating to consumers who may be open experimentation, Ego is an approachable brand that offers quality at a price point that is palatable for exploration. The goal is to create loyalists who turn to Ego Tequila for their moments of celebration.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
The least that I like about Dallas is traffic. I can’t stand it with a passion. What I love most about it is the culture and it’s diversity.
Contact Info:
- Email: Rikki.kelly@egotequila.com
- Website: Egotequila.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/egotequila?igshid=1jb7l7aoty37z
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/Egotequila/
Image Credits
Vite Media Amanda Bayacal Shannon Stinnet
