Meet Pat Evans | CEO Spirit Brand Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Pat Evans and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Pat, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My thought process on starting my own spirit brand business is so that I can become a recognized leader in the spirit industry while adding diversity and inclusion to the store shelves. I saw that minority-owned spirit brands were underrepresented and undervalued on the store shelves. Consequently, a passion was developed to brigde the gap. My desire is to increase diversity and inclusion on the spirit shelves while changing the narrative and propelling to forefront. In addition, I want to leave a legacy for my children and lastly, set myself up to become a fulltime entrepreneur within the next 3 years.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am the CEO & Founder of Melanina Vodka.
The vision began August 2022 as the I saw black-owned spirit brands underrepresented and undervalued.
As a Vodka connoisseur, I ultimately aspires to create an elevated libation in the spirit industry.
What sets me apart from others is that I have a strong passion to pave the way for those whom have an interest in the spirit industry. I believe this passion drives me to continue to push forward and not give up.
Although there were many roadblocks that I had to navigate through, I am most proud and excited that thus far, I have been able to sustain from start to finish.
The process of starting a spirit brand is not easy at all and I feel truly blessed that I was able to get to where I am today business wise, due to the support I received and mentorship from others.

The lessons I learned the way was definitely building patience throughout the two year process. I had to adjust my expectations as to when things were going to happen. I was initially told that it would be a minimum of a year to launch and that didn’t happen.
I started this business while working in Corporate America and as a single mother. As an additional passion, my goal is to see other Women Of Color who are interested in having their own spirit brand and excel in this industry.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was visiting the area I would show her the best time ever. I would construct an itinerary that would include Brunch at Toast on Lenox, Pampering at The Spa at Four Seasons, Dining at the Betty restaurant for live Jazz music and hiking up Stone Mountain.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to give a shoutout to everyone that has supported me throughout the process of getting my business up and running from start to finish and made special sacrifices because you believed in me. A special thanks to my mentor Darron Storr, Business Manager Kimberly Kelly-Rolfe, Implementation Coordinator Charisma Justis and Digital and Photography Len Herring.

A special dedication to my children Elijah and Mekaylah as I am determined to leave a legacy for you for generational wealth.

Website: http://melaninavodka.com

Instagram: melaninavodka

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Image Credits
Image Credit
Len Herring