Meet Babette Jones

We were lucky to catch up with Babette Jones recently and have shared our conversation below.

Babette, 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?

My confidence and self-esteem were not handed to me—they were earned, built, and refined over time through faith, purpose, and perseverance. I developed them by learning how to walk boldly in my calling, even when the road was uncertain and the doors weren’t open. I’ve always believed that you don’t wait for permission to be great—you rise, you create, and you *become*.

My journey began with the powerful examples of my mother and grandmother—women who carried wisdom, strength, and grace in every step. Their love, sacrifice, and belief in me became the foundation of my self-worth. From there, I added layers through experience: leading teams, building businesses, uplifting communities, and, most importantly, staying rooted in my faith.

Confidence for me is deeply connected to *clarity of purpose*. When I founded Six Nineteen of 1865 Spirits, it wasn’t just about launching a drink—it was about honoring our history, creating a space for unity, and building generational wealth. That clarity gave me the courage to speak up in boardrooms, take risks in the marketplace, and walk into rooms that weren’t built for me—but now can’t function without me.

Every win, every setback, every conversation that required me to stand firm in who I am helped shape the woman I am today. I don’t measure my self-esteem by applause or validation. I measure it by how deeply I serve my calling, how authentically I show up, and how powerfully I uplift others.

So, how did I develop it? Through divine alignment, unshakable purpose, and a whole lot of love—from my ancestors, my community, and myself.

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?

**What I Do and Why It Matters**

I am Babette B. Jones, the proud founder and CEO of **Six Nineteen of 1865 Spirits**, a premium ready-to-drink cocktail and mocktail brand rooted in legacy, unity, and excellence. Our brand was born not just out of a love for celebration, but out of a deep respect for history—specifically the significance of **June 19, 1865**, when freedom reached the last enslaved people in Galveston, Texas. That moment of liberation, reflection, and resilience inspires everything we do.

What makes this brand so special is that **we don’t just sell beverages—we serve a movement**. Every can tells a story. Every sip honors our past, connects us in the present, and builds a bridge to a better future. We are about **bringing people together from all walks of life**, one toast at a time.

Our signature product, the **Ruby Red Tequila cocktail**, is a nod to the red drinks historically served on Juneteenth. It’s bold, vibrant, and unapologetically rooted in culture. And that’s just the beginning. We’re expanding our line to include **five new cocktails, three refreshing mocktails, and uniquely packaged bottled water** that aligns with our mission of wellness and inclusion.

**What’s New & What’s Next**

We’re in an exciting phase of **rapid growth and impact**. In less than a year, we’ve gone from concept to placement in over a dozen retail locations across South Carolina—including approvals for all **Total Wine** stores in the state.

We’re also preparing for:

* **Our national product expansion**
* A **crowdfunding campaign** to invite our community to invest in the next phase
* The launch of the **Six Nineteen of 1865 Foundation**, which funds scholarships, grants and awards to support dreamers, doers, and changemakers

This isn’t just a business—it’s a legacy. And I want people to know that this brand represents what’s possible when **vision meets purpose**, when we honor our history while fearlessly shaping the future.

**Final Thought**

Six Nineteen of 1865 is more than a drink—it’s a declaration. A toast to freedom, a commitment to unity, and a reminder that **we are becoming**. We invite everyone to **sip with purpose, celebrate our legacy, and join the movement**.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

1. Resilience Rooted in Purpose

There were countless moments where quitting would’ve been easier than pressing on. But I anchored myself in *why* I started. My purpose—to honor legacy, create unity, and build generational wealth—kept me grounded when storms came.
**Advice:** Discover your “why,” and revisit it often. Purpose gives pain perspective. It transforms setbacks into setups. Stay rooted in it, and you’ll bend—but never break.

2. Emotional Intelligence & Relationship Building

From boardrooms to production floors, what moves the needle most is *people*. The ability to listen, lead with empathy, read the room, and build trust has been essential. I’ve built this brand on **social capital**, not just financial capital.
**Advice:** Invest in your relationships. Be authentic, be present, and always show up with integrity. Your network will open doors money never could.

3. Vision Coupled with Execution

Dreaming is beautiful, but doing is what changes everything. I’ve had to wear every hat—founder, fundraiser, marketer, logistician. I learned early that big vision requires boots-on-the-ground action.
**Advice:** Don’t be afraid to start messy. Learn the business inside and out. Be both the dreamer and the doer. Action builds confidence. Execution builds legacy.

To those just starting out:
Don’t rush the process. Build slowly, deeply, and intentionally. Ask questions. Take the meeting. Learn the language of your industry. And above all—**believe that you are enough to begin.** You don’t have to know everything to start, but you do need to start to learn everything.

Your journey won’t look like anyone else’s—and that’s your power.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

What do I do when I feel overwhelmed?

When I feel overwhelmed, I pause. I’ve learned that stillness is not weakness—it’s *wisdom*. In the rush of building a legacy, leading a movement, and carrying the weight of multiple roles, it’s easy to believe you have to do it all. But I remind myself: I’m not called to carry it alone.

I turn to faith first—prayer and reflection anchor me. That’s my recharge station. I also lean on the strong circle of people around me—mentors, loved ones, and truth-tellers who remind me of who I am when I forget. And sometimes, I give myself permission to *rest*, because rest is resistance and restoration.

1. Don’t suffer in silence.
Build a circle that sees you, covers you, and calls you higher. You’re not weak for needing support—you’re wise for seeking it.

2. Break the mountain into steps.
You don’t have to conquer it all at once. Take one step. Then another. Action reduces anxiety. Focus reduces chaos.

3. Honor your humanity.
We wear so many hats, especially as visionaries. But you’re more than your productivity. You’re a vessel of purpose, and vessels need refilling too.

Final thought:
Overwhelm is not a sign that you’re failing. It’s a sign that you care deeply, that your dreams are stretching you. Breathe. Re-center. Then return to your purpose, because that’s where your power is.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sixnineteenspirits.com
• Instagram: sixnineteen1865
• Facebook: sixnineteenof1865
• Linkedin: six nineteen of 1865
• Youtube: sixnineteenof1865

Image Credits

Photographer: Eddie Barnes