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Tipsy Spritzers

SCBiz Staff // October 14, 2024//

Tipsy Spritzers

SCBiz Staff // October 14, 2024//

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Tipsy Spritzers 

About: Low calorie/low sugar organic wine and spirits spritzers in a can.

Top female executive: Katie Shields, Founder/CEO

What does it mean to you to be a woman-owned business?

I entered this industry having no idea how few minority-owned and women-owned businesses exist in the beverage industry. When we initially launched the brand, we were self-funded and exceptionally underfunded. Less than 3% of venture capital funding goes to female-owned and led brands. I am grateful to have brought on 5 seed investors last year who truly believe in the brand and care about our team. Even with outside funding, my co-owner & Marketing Director, Margaux Gaeser, and I are proud to say we are still majority female-owned. We are working to bring on a female celebrity/ambassador and would love to partner with a Venture Capital firm that is female-focused on our next raise.

What challenges have you faced as a women-owned business?

A lot. At the end of the day, this industry is still very much a good ole’ boys club. I was fortunate enough to get our brand distributed by excellent distribution partners, but we still have to fight tooth and nail to get shelf space in retail chains. While many chains have progressed greatly in relation to hiring female buyers, the industry is still very male-dominated with large suppliers (our competitors) controlling & dictating shelf space. We are grateful to have established relationships with Whole Foods, Harris Teeter, Lowes Foods, Earth Fare, Total Wine, and Bottles, but are constantly fighting to keep our shelf space and compete with much larger, well-funded brands. Going into larger chains such as Kroger and Publix will require a significant investment, but that is our goal over the next two years.

How do you support women in your business and community?

We give 1% to fight human trafficking. Women, and children, are primarily the victims of exploitation and trafficking. As a mom, it is important that our company give back in a way that supports women and children. Tipsy is also proud to support various nonprofits and schools throughout the year and we always try to be generous with product donation requests for charitable events.

What recent accomplishments are you most proud of?

I am so proud of my co-owner and Marketing Director, Margaux Gaeser, who I brought on full-time last year. Margaux started as a social media intern while she was attending USC and I am very fortunate to have her on our team as an employee, but also now an owner. She has shown incredible tenacity and capability having no prior background in this space. Together, we have achieved much recognition this year with various tasting awards including the Las Vegas Global Wine Awards Best Wine Spritzer, San Diego Internal Wine and Spirits Challenge Gold and Silver Awards, Sommelier Challenge Silver Award, RTD Magazine Silver Medal, and recognition by The Shelby Report Southeast as a Woman of Influence.

Tipsy

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