Meet Our Founder
Mara's Story
How did a former attorney and stay-at-home mom of three end up becoming a female tequila founder? It definitely was not a linear path. Tequila became my drink of choice years ago. I thought I was drinking something “better for you” as far as an adult beverage, but then I discovered that everything I was drinking contained undisclosed additives, like sweeteners, coloring and glycerin. I saw an opportunity to innovate and add more female perspectives to the industry by crafting a clean, easy-to-drink tequila without using additives and building a company powered by women.
“We all live full lives and I think you deserve some time to connect with friends and family. I want Inspiro Tequila to be the drink spiriting those moments of connection and community.”
The Inspo Behind Inspiro
Past Lives, Premium Pours and Purpose-Driven Growth
Closings and Contracts – the Early Days
After law school, Mara works at a big Chicago law firm (paying off those law school loans). Good prep for the hours as an entrepreneur. She shifts from law to the corporate strategy group of a Fortune 500 (hint she knows how to make the perfect fries).
From Powerpoints to Playdates
Mara’s corporate career comes to a screeching halt, when she ends up on emergency bed rest while pregnant with her twins. Mara leaves the corporate world to take care of her preemie babies. She takes on the role of CEO of her home and welcomes baby number three 9 ½ years later. No raises or promotions, but Dylan, Ryan and Mason are Mara’s greatest accomplishments.
Sipping Tequila with Friends Inspires a Startup
Mara never stops dreaming of her next act and always wanted to start her own company. Why tequila? That was the drink of choice for Mara and her friends on girls’ trips and at get togethers. After discovering that all the super-premium tequilas she was drinking are filled with additives (yuk!) and feeling that brands weren’t focused on female consumers like her, Mara decides to start Inspiro Tequila.
The Prep before Production (It’s all in the Details)
February 2020 LLC Formed. Mara starts studying tequila production, finding a distillery, partnering with her master distiller and designing a bottle (with her Mom) that met her “chic” (yes, she’s a Housewives fan) aesthetic preference.
Inspiro is named in honor of Mara’s inspirations, her Grandmother and Mother. Behind every successful woman are the women who gave her the confidence to believe in herself.
Filing Forms to Tasting Tequila
Inspiro becomes certified women-owned by WBENC! (Not many spirits brands are). Mara heads to Guadalajara for the first official tasting with Master Distiller Ana Maria Romero Mena (an experience like none other).
Product Perfected and Online Orders Open
After eighteen months of hard work and many ups and downs (bottle closures that didn’t fit right, distillery closures for Covid and many more), Inspiro Tequila imports its first bottles and start selling online. No additives. No compromises. Just ultra-premium, clean tequila.
Hometown
Pour
Launching in retail in Mara’s backyard. Hey Chicagoland, meet Inspiro Tequila, your new favorite locally-owned, additive-free tequila.
Our Industry
Intro!
Mara makes it the spirit’s industry “Brand Battle” finals and heads to Orlando to pitch live. First pitch (super stressful), first trade show (we had the prettiest booth) and new distributor partners for Inspiro Tequila.
Certified
With Purpose
From the start, giving back is core to Inspiro Tequila’s ethos. So, Mara committed to the intensive process of B Corp Certification, formalizing the brand’s dedication to social impact.
The Rest is
Still Unwritten
State number ten - hey, California (we love a good acai bowl). Plus, a fresh brand and website… and we’re just getting started. Follow along on our journey to spirit moments of connection for women everywhere!
Our Values
Embody Inspiration
We always lead by example, inspiring women to support each other, chase their passions at any stage of life and, above all, live well.
Lead With Transparency
With Inspiro Tequila, you know exactly what you’re getting—a meticulously crafted, additive-free spirit. Transparency is at our core, and we proudly share our process, our ingredients (just agave, water and yeast) and our journey. We hold ourselves to a high standard when it comes to how we operate and what we say.
Quality Is Queen
You deserve the best. That’s why we never compromise on quality, carefully considering every detail—from the agave selected to our custom, elegant bottles—to create an exceptional tequila experience.
Innovation in Everything
Innovation drives us. From our bottle design to our aging processes to how we connect with our community, we are committed to doing things differently.
Make an Impact
We believe that small acts collectively can make a big impact, be it providing guidance to another founder, making a referral, collaborating with other women-owned businesses or just answering a DM. We honor those who have supported us by paying it forward, championing female founders on their own journeys.
Raising the Bar
We’re deeply committed to bringing more female voices to the spirits industry. Women lead every part of our process—from our legendary master distiller to the women responsible for getting product on the shelves. Inspiro Tequila is certified women-owned by WBENC, and we’re led by a passionate female team.
Our Impact
B Corp Certified
Inspiro Tequila is more than a high-quality spirit—it’s a commitment to elevating women in business who, like us, were inspired to follow their passion. That’s why we became a Certified B Corp as a social impact company.
Our commitment to elevating women and upholding the rigorous B Corp standards is central to everything we do—because women have been overlooked, questioned or undervalued in their entrepreneurial journeys for too long. We proudly donate either 2% of revenue or 20% of our net profits via in-kind and monetary donations to not-for-profits that support the dreams of inspiring women.
Why do we call our commitment to giving back the Purple Bicycle Project?
When our founder Mara was four years old, she coveted a purple bicycle that was handed down for her to ride when she was older. Undeterred by her parents’ doubts that she could ride the large, two-wheeler, she tried, fell and tried again—until she finally rode it on her own. That purple bike became a lasting symbol of perseverance, inspiring our mission to support women founders as they navigate the ups, downs and detours of the entrepreneurial journey.
Who We Support
We have sponsored the WFN pitch competition for female founders.
Additionally, we provide grants to 501©(3)s that help female founders, including three community connections grants, along with mentoring, via the Enthuse Foundation. These grants afforded a female founder each year to join organizations that help build her community.
In 2025, we’re donating money to WBENC to subsidize half the certification process cost. We are proudly WBENC certified, and we want to help other women have access to this incredible organization.
Mara's Favorites
From daily treats to restorative sips, Mara lives and breathes discovering new brands and
amplifying fellow female-founded businesses. Here are some of her current favorites.
Favorite Sip
Morning - Matcha
Afternoon - Espresso
Evening - Tequila + Soda
Timeless Track
“Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic”
- The Police
Sweet Treat
- Unreal Gems
- Starburst Minis (FaveREDs)
- CocoRolls Original (Women-Owned)
- Albanese Gummy Bears (Women-Owned & Great Soaked in Tequila)
Brand Crush
Veronica Beard
Quote To Live By
"When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time."
- Maya Angelou
Repeat Watch
- Watching - Bravo Housewives
- Reading - Founder Memoirs
- Listening (On Double Speed) - DearFoundHer, Entreprenista, Exit Whisperer, The Consumer VC, Startup CPG
All in Good Spirits
