This episode is brought to you by Saral and Vdriven. In today’s episode, we interview Ryan Espi, Co-Founder & CEO of First Light Whiskey. First Light Whiskey is a smooth, coffee-flavored whiskey that can be enjoyed neat, on ice, or mixed into your favorite cocktail. It’s made with naturally gluten-free 99% corn whiskey, real coffee extract, and raw blue agave — crafted with love on the coast of Southern California. Highlights include:  * His Gratitude Story * What his mentor taught him: “All Boats Rise.” * What he took for granted about his parents * Taking the Van Wilder path in college * The lesson he learned from his design firm * How did he get started with First Light, and why * How his hobbies and passion make him a better version of himself * Deciding what type of company they wanted to build * Overview and challenges of the alcohol industry * Breaking down the First Light recipe * Why they want people to have a First Light moment: How they named the brand * Internal challenges as a manager and leader * Advice for founders * Launching a D2C offer * What he’s proud of about the brand Join Ramon Vela and Ryan Espi as we break down the inside story of First Light Whiskey on The Story of a Brand. For more on First Light Whiskey, visit: https://www.firstlightwhiskey.com/ Simply search for “The Story of a Brand” on your favorite podcast player. * Today’s sponsors:   Vdriven - A Partner to CPG brands: https://www.vdriven.com/ Are unauthorized distributor deductions hurting your bottom line and cash flow? Vdriven has recovered over $1 million in erroneous deductions from distributors. Vdriven supports brands with deduction management and an array of services to accelerate sustainable growth. Schedule a call today. SARAL - Your Influencer Assistant Tool for Brands): https://www.getsaral.com/champions/ramon  SARAL is offering an exclusive 14-day free trial for my listeners. They will also do a special strategy session to make sure you’re set up for success. Go to my special link.