Inside the Journey of Spirits Entrepreneurs: from an idea to a global brand

Great products are only the beginning. In this SIP Roundtable, three spirits entrepreneurs reveal how they transformed bold ideas into scalable businesses, with bars serving as their launchpads to validate, refine, and amplify their brands. Discover how they captured both consumer imagination and the attention of industry leaders like Pernod Ricard, and what it takes to grow from startup to acquisition. Expect candid insights into brand building, growth strategies, and the realities of scaling up in today’s competitive market.
 

Steve Yeng
Founder of Skrewball, the world’s first and most awarded peanut butter whiskey. Born in Cambodia and raised in the US after his family fled to a refugee camp, Steve overcame polio and built Skrewball from humble beginnings into one of America’s most recognized flavored whiskeys, now expanding worldwide.

Marc Bonneton
French bartender and entrepreneur from Lyon, owner of the acclaimed cocktail bar L’Antiquaire, co-owner of l’Officine, and co-founder of Cockorico, a ready-to-drink cocktail company acquired by Pernod Ricard in 2022. Known for his dedication to mixology and hospitality, Marc combines entrepreneurial vision with a classic approach to cocktails.

Miguel Riascos
Third-generation rum maker from Colombia and Managing Director & Co-Founder of La Hechicera. With deep family roots in the Caribbean and international business training in Paris, Barcelona, and London, Miguel built La Hechicera into a symbol of Colombian entrepreneurship. Its acquisition by Pernod Ricard in 2021 marked a historic milestone for both the brand and Colombia’s spirits industry.