Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiffany Capri Hainesworth.
Hi Tiffany, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
After a major car accident in 2012, I suffered a traumatic brain injury, leaving me with a Severe Seizure disorder.
Being a federal government employee for almost 30 years (I am still employed by the Federal Government), I decided it was time to focus on the rest of my life and the best of my life. I decided to start a gourmet treats business (TCapri Gourmet Treats my Flagship Business) creating cocktail gummy bears (Boozey Bears) and cocktail cakes made from wines and spirits.
It was at this point I realized I wanted to start my very own spirits company. I love Tequila so I started researching where Tequila was made and ventured to the regions of Jalisco Mexico alone! I found a small family-owned distillery that allowed me to start with my first 1500 bottles and the rest is History! Literally!
I made history as the First Black Woman to Independently own a Tequila Brand!
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?
This was one of the hardest things I’ve done in my life other than birthing my daughter!
There was a language barrier, I don’t speak Spanish, the challenges of being taken seriously, the constant travel to Mexico, and the required documentation from the Mexican Government as well as the US Government. Because Tequila is one of the most regulated spirits there are more procedures to complete for a finished product.
Then once everything was completed, the COVID pandemic hit and I struggled with the supply chain disruption which crippled some small spirit companies! I was literally off of store shelves for almost 10 months! It was devastating!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I made history as the First Black Woman to independently own a Tequila Brand.
I pride myself on showing Women and minorities that you don’t need a partner or a big name to back you. You can start small and grow your business, whatever your business may be! You just have to have the passion, dedication, and perseverance to get over the obstacles, because they will come!
I’m also proud that I have a certified additive-free tequila certified by Tequila Match! My mission is to show people that tequila is not what they used to drink back in their college days. My Tequila is an Ultra Premium Sipping Tequila!
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
You have to know how to PIVOT!
That is a life lesson, I’m a single mom so that was instilled in me in order to maintain my daily bills and take care of my daughter. So when spirit owners ran into the supply chain disruption, we literally didn’t have 750ml bottles and a lot of raw materials.
I asked my bottled company what supplies they had if any. They said they only had 50ml (miniatures) I took all of them and created a tasting box for my customers. It included a greeting card about me, two sipping glasses, and our award-winning Blanco, and introduced them to our Reposado!
It was a great gift idea and keeps sakes for Black History & Women’s History Month, and it kept our consumers focused on the brand!
Pricing:
- $50-$65
Contact Info:
- Website: www.tcapritequila.com
- Instagram: TCapri Tequila
- Facebook: TCapri Tequila
- Linkedin: Tiffany Capri Hainesworth
- Twitter: TCapri Tequila
Image Credits
Phelan Marc
