Meet Sean Keane

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sean Keane. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Sean , we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?

Confidence and self-esteem come with experience. Experience comes from time and dedication. “We are what we repeatedly do, therefore, excellence is not an act, but a habit” – Aristotle. My confidence and self-esteem is based on 31 years of experience in the US Army Special Operations/Special Forces. My 31 years of service, the selections, training and work, put me in some of the most austere situations and environments around the world. When you have lived the life I lived, there is no situation you can’t figure out.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

My name is Sean Keane. After 31 years of service in the US Army Special Operations/Special Forces, I retired as a Command Sergeant Major in 2021. My decision to retire was driven by a desire to be more present for my family, especially for my marriage and raising my son.

My journey toward Mezcal began with a focus on improving my gut health. In my search for a healthier lifestyle, Mezcal found me. After soul-searching and visits to Oaxaca, Mexico, I discovered the rich craftsmanship and dedication behind its distillation.

What truly captivated me about Mezcal was its unwavering commitment to quality. In a world where convenience often trumps craftsmanship, Mezcal has preserved its artisanal methods through generations. Small-batch distillation, traditional techniques, and a dedication to quality over quantity resonated deeply with me. In a time when shortcuts are common, I found inspiration in Mezcal’s six-generation process, where “standards are the standards—always.” It wasn’t equipment that made the difference, but the people.

The core values of O’Kahan Agave reflect principles that shaped my life—values instilled by my Irish immigrant parents, forged through my Special Forces experiences, and refined by the lessons learned along the way.

I believe in giving 100% to everything I do, in being involved in every part of the process. My goal with O’Kahan Agave Mezcal is to create something exceptional—a reflection of hard work, passion, and dedication.

Nearly a year ago, I embarked on the journey to create O’Kahan Agave Mezcal. Our brand symbolizes the fusion of Irish and Mexican heritage, with our label featuring the Irish Claddagh Ring and the Mexican Pina and Penca crown.
O’Kahan Agave Mezcal is more than just a drink—it’s a commitment to quality. It’s the lion among the sheep. Artesanal Mezcal cannot be mass-produced, and I believe we’re creating some of the finest Mezcal in the world.

In October 2024, I arrived in Oaxaca, Mexico, to begin a month-long apprenticeship working alongside the Jimador to harvest agave plants and with the Maestro Mezcalero to learn the processes of cooking, crushing, fermentation, and distillation. I lived within the community of Mitla during this immersive experience, a rare opportunity for a non-Zapotec, especially a gringo. This unique chance was offered to me by my Maestro Mezcalero during a previous visit.

My time at the Palenque (mezcal distillery) was humbling. The work was both educational and physically demanding. As the apprentice, I took on the foundational tasks: cutting wood, moving horse manure, handling agave waste (bagasse), and cleaning the distillation areas. At the same time, I participated in each major phase of the distillation process—harvesting, cooking, crushing, fermentation, and distillation. Being involved in every step gave me a deeper understanding of the hard work, passion, and dedication that goes into every batch of O’Kahan Agave Mezcal.

The true essence of distillation cannot be found in books. It’s something that must be experienced over time. Building trust and meaningful relationships—through cultural awareness, overcoming language barriers, shared experiences, and showing genuine care for the local community—became integral to the process.

O’Kahan Agave is Mezcal! Mezcal es La Vida!! O’Kahan Agave Mezcal es La Vida!!!

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

I am 53 years old, I have built a large network of relationships, due to my time on this earth and my former profession. Building and maintaining relationships is very important. With that, I don’t hold onto relationships with individuals with integrity issues…no matter the position they hold. Be sociable and talk to everyone. Everyone has had help from someone to get to where they are…talk to people. Remember, good leaders can smell intent, so it’s important that your intent is admirable and true. Expectation management is very critical in leadership and business. There is too much “over promise and under deliver” in the current world we live in. Truly try and understand peoples capabilities, based on their actions not their resume. And last, trust, but verify. It is your name and reputation on the line, so verify everything.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?

Taught me to never be afraid to wonder into the unknown. This was taught to me by their actions. Not necessarily their words.

My parents were born and raised in Ireland. At the age of 14, my father left school to work in the mills. In 1955 at the age of 17 my father took his earnings and immigrated to America. My father arrived to NYC on a Friday and attended catholic mass that following Sunday. Upon his arrival to mass a long line of Irish men stood to greet him and welcome him to America by giving him money to assist him in his American journey.

My father, COL (Ret) Patrick Keane, would later join the US Army and serve 37 years, in which he would serve 3 tours in Vietnam, attain his High School Diploma, Bachelor of Arts and Masters from the Florida Institute of Technology and be inducted into the Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame.

My mother, Elizabeth (Cusack) Keane, was plucked out of Ireland by my father after he joined the US Army and brought her to Okinawa. My mother raised two strong boys and truly taught us the values that made me the man I am today. They have been married for 65 years.

My father led by example, and was never afraid to go into the unknown. Bought a 30ft sail boat and learned to sail by himself. He sunk the first one, but still has the second one. Learned to hunt and fly fish in Montana without guidance. And also built a house in Montana with no prior construction experience.

Never be afraid to wonder into the unknown. You will figure it out.

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