We recently connected with Stephanie Houston and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Stephanie with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
My parents divorced when I was in 6th grade. My mom supported the two of us on $6K a year. No one knew that we literally had no food in the house. I ate at friends’ houses all the way through high school while my mom went to school during the day and worked at night. I raised myself in her absence and had to figure out how to survive until I could graduate by the skin of my teeth. I had to learn to figure out ways to survive, no matter what.
When I reflect over my life, there’s a pattern of running through walls. I’ve always done whatever it takes to make things happen and now I can say there’s beauty in appreciating the journey and where I am each day.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am, by all accounts, an entrepreneur. In the earlier days of my career, I was co-founder of a nationwide staffing company. By the time my partners and I sold the business in 2008, the company employed over 700 team members.
This success gifted me the opportunity to pursue professional projects and entrepreneurial ventures. One of my favorites was helping to pioneer a resurgence of Dallas’ Deep Ellum entertainment district with the opening of bar & music venue LaGrange, following by the first food-truck-focused trailer park eatery in Dallas.
All of this lead me to rum! One of our early partners in the distillery owned a winery just around the corner from LaGrange and we were one of the first spots to carry his wines. When he presented me with the opportunity to join the rum distillery, I knew I couldn’t resist. Rum has always been my absolute favorite spirit, speaking to me in deeply cathartic way – a symbol to me of escaping the real world to vacation land.
And so our rum distillery was founded in 2016 in the Texas Hill Country. My partners and I wanted to push the boundaries of traditional rum-making techniques and we’ve come a long way since those early days.
As one of a very few producers of US-made dark rum, we’ve cultivated an extensive following. We’ve been fortunate enough to partner with the Texas Department of Agriculture on international trade missions to Canada, Hong Kong, and Vietnam. I always knew our distillery was special. What I never imagined was traveling internationally to share our slice of paradise, as we build a legacy in my home state. Rum represents joy and celebration and that’s exactly what we embody in every bottle.
I’m just not one to be satisfied with the status quo, I want to continue advocating for progressive legislative change in Texas liquor laws. As a minority female spirits leader, I am committed to supporting other female and BIPOC-owned brands. I know what it’s like to be the only woman in the room. I’m so proud to be one of the first female Hispanic distillery owners in Texas and I know I certainly won’t be the last.
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 would tell those who are early in their journey two things…
1. Never take any opportunity for granted.
I’m proud to say that I am a self-made, self-starter. Throughout my journey, I have earned everything I’ve achieved, and that’s because I’ve taken advantage of everything that’s come my way.
2. Don’t be afraid to wear all the hats.
Over the past 30 years, I have accumulated a range of experience in sales and marketing, and I’ve also taken the initiative to become a self-taught graphic and web designer. I’m even fluent in accounting and human resources.
It took me quite a while to truly appreciate my diverse skillset
I thrive on being a maximizer, constantly crunching numbers to achieve the best possible results and seeking ways to create something truly exceptional.
What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?
It took me a long time to realize that what makes me happy is being really good at what I love. And that can manifest itself in so many ways. No matter where I am, no matter what I’m doing, if I’m doing it well, I’m happy. A change in perspective helped me get there after several years of feeling lost and like only certain avenues were acceptable.
I’ve shifted my mindset to see the happiness that already exists in my life rather than chase outside things to “be happy.” Happiness is within me and I know it when I am in alignment with my purpose – which could really be anything I’m doing and doing well.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.islandgetawayrum.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/islandgetawayrum/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/islandgetawayrum
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/islandgetawayrum/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrdhrefXOv_0QF8yoLDqklQ
