Today we’d like to introduce you to Alison Palacios.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Born and raised in Houston while growing up in the Rio Grande Valley for a couple of years, I am a Texas girl through and through. I grew up in a Christian household with parents who always instilled in my siblings and I that education was to be a priority. I always knew I wanted to attend the University of Houston, but I had not idea my journey would lead me to one of the most prestigious colleges of hospitality, which is Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership. That’s where I found my passion for hotels and the beverage industry. By chance, I was part of the first cohort to take a new course that was being introduced into the college called ‘The Spirits of Mexico,’ which included a trip to Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, to learn about the production process and history of tequila. Little did I know that it would ignite a newfound appreciation for my Mexican heritage, as well as a curiosity about the culture, science, and community surrounding tequila. A few years later, I downloaded TikTok, and in order to figure out if their new three-minute video feature would work, I uploaded a video I had taken on my tequila trip to Mexico. Next thing I know, it goes viral, and at the same time, I was working on a project for one of my master courses at the University of Southern California, and my professor thought it was brilliant. I decided to continue uploading my tequila content into my TikTok account, which has now attracted over 60 thousand followers. Since then, I started to pursue a formal tequila tasting education with my mentor, master distiller Ana Maria Romero Mena, and have received my certificate to conduct professional tequila tastings, hence my idea to form the Houston Tequila Club.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been a smooth road. As a woman in a male-dominated industry, there has been times when I start to doubt myself and my competence, but my clients from my tastings have expressed how impressed they are when I teach them about tequila and how to properly taste it. It can be a challenge to change how people perceive tequila and the memories they typically associate with it; however, I enjoy when they learn something about the history, the culture, science, and beautiful aromas that come from this exquisite beverage.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next, you can tell us a bit more about your business.
I specialize in tequila education. What sets me apart from others is that I have immersed myself in the tequila industry learning from one of the most well-known and respected master distiller in the industry. I have invested in my education to learn from the most famous nose in the industry, Ana Maria Romero Mena. I am proud that I can bring a genuine perspective and a unique understanding to others when it comes to the production process of tequila. I want readers to know that you don’t have to be a tequila drinker in order to appreciate it. I know when I went to Mexico to study tequila, my only experience with tequila at that point was through shot glasses. Tequila is more than shots; it’s about people taking pride in their culture and in their work in order to produce a drink that can be enjoyed in a sipping glass with a delicious meal. The Houston Tequila Club is for the curious and connoisseurs alike.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I want people to know that the tequila community in Houston is growing, and I hope that part of that growth is through an educated and fun perspective. I hope to be a source that enhances this community through positive networking and social experiences.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/beverageproduction
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/htxtequilaclub/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@beverageproduction
