We recently connected with Elizabeth Irizarry and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Elizabeth thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

The Mezcal Social Club started as a spark of inspiration during a casual conversation over—you guessed it—mezcal. I’ve always been drawn to the cultural and artisanal heritage behind mezcal, but I noticed a gap in Miami when it came to bringing people together to truly experience and learn about it. I started asking myself: “What if we could create a space where mezcal enthusiasts and curious newcomers could connect, share, and appreciate this incredible spirit?” That’s where the idea was born.

At first, it was just a thought I shared with friends over dinner after a mezcal tasting with MataSanta. I casually mentioned, “What if I launched a mezcal club in Miami? There are wine clubs, whiskey clubs, and rum clubs, but no dedicated mezcal community.” The idea resonated, and I decided I’d take a few months to plan, with a goal to launch by October.

Then, everything shifted. Just a week later, a friend connected me with a venue opportunity to host our first event. Suddenly, what was supposed to be months of planning turned into a launch in just two weeks. With only a week of promotion, we officially kicked off the Miami Mezcal Club in July 2024, and what started as an experiment quickly turned into something much bigger.

From Idea to Execution

Once we launched, everything became about refining and expanding the vision. I had to figure out logistics—securing venues, curating mezcal lineups, structuring tastings, and making sure each event felt intentional. More than just a tasting, I wanted to build a real community—a space where people could experience mezcal in an authentic and meaningful way.

Along the way, I met Mario, who is now my business partner. With his help, we began looking beyond Miami and rebranded from Miami Mezcal Club to Mezcal Social Club, reflecting our broader mission to connect mezcal lovers everywhere. This partnership allowed us to think bigger—exploring new cities, planning mezcal-focused trips, and expanding the ways we bring people together to celebrate mezcal.

The Challenges & Growth

Starting from scratch meant figuring out a lot on the fly. There wasn’t a blueprint for launching a mezcal club, so I had to trust my instincts and adapt. Managing partnerships, coordinating events, and growing the community—all while making sure each experience felt special—was a challenge, but one that kept pushing the club forward.

Since launching, we’ve hosted 11 events, worked with dozens of brands, and sold out nearly every tasting. We’ve built a growing community of 200+ subscribers and 1,000+ Instagram followers, mainly through word of mouth. The feedback speaks for itself—every event has been rated 5/5, with guests saying, “Exceeded expectations! Can’t wait for the next one!”

Looking Ahead: Educating & Expanding the Mezcal Community

The Mezcal Social Club is just getting started, and with our growth comes a greater responsibility: to educate our community about mezcal’s cultural heritage, artisanal craft, and deep roots in tradition.

Our goal goes far beyond hosting tastings—we aim to honor mezcal’s rich history and the people behind it. From the palenques of Oaxaca to the small producers we partner with, we strive to share their stories and educate our members about the care, time, and passion that goes into each bottle.

In 2025, we’re expanding into:
• Curated education-focused experiences, including mezcal trips to Oaxaca and private tasting events.
• Workshops and cultural festivals, like Mezcal Culture Fest.
• Membership tiers and subscription boxes to make learning about mezcal more accessible.
• New cities, including like New York, Atlanta, and Los Angeles, where we can connect with even more mezcal enthusiasts.

Looking back, the key was simply starting. There was no perfect time or perfect plan—just the decision to take the leap and create something meaningful. What began as a casual idea shared over mezcal has become a thriving community committed to celebrating mezcal, educating others, and honoring its cultural significance. We’re excited for what’s ahead and can’t wait to continue sharing mezcal with the world.

Elizabeth, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m a creator, problem-solver, and strategic leader with over a decade of experience in operations, partnerships, and marketing. My career spans across industries—from corporate to startups, and from tech to design. I’ve had the privilege of working with globally recognized brands like Disney, Mattel, and NASCAR, leading high-impact projects and building cross-functional teams to execute complex initiatives, including product launches, strategic integrations, and brand-building campaigns.

I have left one industry for another, embracing the challenge of starting over as an opportunity to grow, redefine my path, and align my work with my passions and purpose.

What sets me apart is my ability to connect the dots—whether that’s streamlining operations, managing complex initiatives, or building inclusive communities. I’ve always been passionate about creating spaces for collaboration, where people can come together to share ideas, solve problems, and grow.

That same passion is what led me to create the Mezcal Social Club. I’ve always been drawn to mezcal—not just for its flavors, but for the artistry and culture behind it. All I did was notice a gap.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

One of the biggest tests of my resilience was leaving behind a 10-year career in one industry to completely start over in another—one where I had no prior background. I went from a well-established path to stepping into the unknown, with nothing but my willingness to learn, adapt, and prove that I could succeed in a new space.

The transition wasn’t easy. Shifting industries meant starting from scratch, learning entirely new skill sets, and navigating an environment where I was no longer the expert in the room. But I trusted my intuition, my ability to learn quickly, and my belief that my skills were transferable. I put myself out there, built new relationships, and took on challenges that forced me to grow in ways I hadn’t before.

Within four years, I was able to build a successful career in this new industry, proving that reinvention is always possible. Today, I work as Director of Operations for a startup, where I lead initiatives in a fast-paced, high-growth environment—something that once felt completely out of reach. To go from knowing nothing about tech or startups to working at the level I do today is a direct reflection of my resilience.

The experience reinforced something powerful: you don’t have to have all the answers to start over—you just have to have the courage to try.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

When I first started building the Mezcal Social Club, I believed that I had to be Mexican or have a deep-rooted background in the mezcal industry to be the right person to do this. I kept asking myself, Who am I to start this? Am I even qualified? That doubt—that imposter syndrome—almost held me back from something I was truly passionate about.

I had this idea in my head about who “should” be leading a mezcal community, and because I didn’t fit that mold, I felt like maybe I wasn’t the right person. But what I’ve learned through this journey is that these perceived limitations are often just stories we tell ourselves—stories that hold us back from starting, creating, and moving forward.

This past year, I’ve really focused on trusting my gut and following my passion despite those doubts. Instead of letting the fear of not knowing enough stop me, I committed to learning, asking questions, and immersing myself in the world of mezcal. Anything I felt I lacked, I actively sought out. I didn’t just wait to feel “ready”—I put myself in the spaces where I could grow and earned my place in this community.

Looking back, I’m so grateful I didn’t listen to that voice of doubt. Not only have I built something that connects people through mezcal, but I’ve also gained respect within the community, confidence in my role, and a deeper appreciation for the learning process.

The biggest lesson? You don’t need to be “perfect” or have all the credentials before you start—you just need to be willing to show up, learn, and do the work.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mezcalsocialclub.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miamimezcalclub
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethirizarry/

Image Credits

Santiago Marquez with Santiago Photos is our photographer: https://www.instagram.com/santiagophotoss/?hl=en (please include him in the credits if possible)