Leading with Belief Building a Global Mezcal Brand with Steve McGarry
Mon Jan 19 2026
In this episode, I sit down with Steve McGarry, CEO of Rosaluna Mezcal, to explore what it really takes to build a brand people believe in, from its roots in the agave fields of Oaxaca to its rapidly growing presence across the U.S. and beyond.
Steve shares his leadership philosophy shaped through decades in hospitality, distribution, and brand building. We talk about the power of curiosity, the importance of the apprenticeship mindset, and how to make the right leadership decisions when you're responsible for growing both people and a brand.
We also dive into Rosaluna’s incredible heritage:
A sixth-generation mezcalero
A family lineage dating back to 1750
A single-estate, vertically integrated production model
The sustainable practices that earned Rosaluna the “Distintivo Verde" Certification
Why their lightly smoked, citrus-forward mezcal is redefining the category
If you're a leader, founder, or someone navigating your own growth journey, this conversation is packed with insights on culture, hiring, belief, and building something that lasts.
What We Cover
The mindset shift from “I want it now” to meaningful career mastery
How to hire people who actually believe what your organization believes
The real cost of keeping the wrong people in the wrong seats
Why culture gets threatened — and how to protect it
Rosaluna’s unique process, history, and sustainability commitments
What leaders can learn from a brand built on heritage and craft
About Rosaluna
Rosaluna is a single-estate, handcrafted mezcal rooted in six generations of tradition. Their proprietary roasting process, Capón agave, and deep sustainability practices create a stunning, citrus-forward mezcal loved by bartenders and fans around the world.
👉 Try Rosaluna Mezcal or find it near you: https://mezcalrosaluna.com/
More
In this episode, I sit down with Steve McGarry, CEO of Rosaluna Mezcal, to explore what it really takes to build a brand people believe in, from its roots in the agave fields of Oaxaca to its rapidly growing presence across the U.S. and beyond. Steve shares his leadership philosophy shaped through decades in hospitality, distribution, and brand building. We talk about the power of curiosity, the importance of the apprenticeship mindset, and how to make the right leadership decisions when you're responsible for growing both people and a brand. We also dive into Rosaluna’s incredible heritage: A sixth-generation mezcalero A family lineage dating back to 1750 A single-estate, vertically integrated production model The sustainable practices that earned Rosaluna the “Distintivo Verde" Certification Why their lightly smoked, citrus-forward mezcal is redefining the category If you're a leader, founder, or someone navigating your own growth journey, this conversation is packed with insights on culture, hiring, belief, and building something that lasts. What We Cover The mindset shift from “I want it now” to meaningful career mastery How to hire people who actually believe what your organization believes The real cost of keeping the wrong people in the wrong seats Why culture gets threatened — and how to protect it Rosaluna’s unique process, history, and sustainability commitments What leaders can learn from a brand built on heritage and craft About Rosaluna Rosaluna is a single-estate, handcrafted mezcal rooted in six generations of tradition. Their proprietary roasting process, Capón agave, and deep sustainability practices create a stunning, citrus-forward mezcal loved by bartenders and fans around the world. 👉 Try Rosaluna Mezcal or find it near you: https://mezcalrosaluna.com/