Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Meghan Evans. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Meghan, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What sort of legacy are you hoping to build. What do you think people will say about you after you are gone, what do you hope to be remembered for?
I want to be remembered for embracing simplicity, valuing the small joys, and recognizing that life’s true fulfillment comes from good company, not material achievements. I hope people will say that I worked hard—not because work defined me, but because it kept me grounded and gave me purpose while I was here. Hard Work was never about proving my worth but about staying engaged, contributing meaningfully, and honoring the time I had. I want others to remember me for fostering stability, for choosing gratitude, and for helping create a space where everyone felt supported and safe enough to be themselves. Ultimately, I hope my legacy inspires others to live simply, stay busy with purpose, and not take life so seriously.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I’m co-founder of Mean Mule Distilling Co., where we proudly craft American Agave Spirits with Midwest. We distill everything ourselves and have a small team, a few of whom are my family. Our story began over a hundred years ago when a “mean mule” saved our family from ruin, and that spirit of resilience lives on in everything we create today. We’re taking our family legacy of distilling and using a new ingredient-agave-in the Midwest, producing a range of spirits—from our award-winning Silver to other aged agave spirits—and creative canned cocktails that celebrate fresh, exciting flavors.
Getting into distilling was more than just about making spirits; it was about creating something real that brings people together and adds joy to their lives. At Mean Mule, we believe in simplicity, good company, and the kind of hard work that keeps us grounded. We’re focused on quality over quantity, crafting each product with care and precision, and connecting with our community in a meaningful way. We all worked for other corporations, governments, or institutions before doing this, and we really just wanted a different lifestyle where we get our hands dirty and build something for ourselves.
What sets us apart is our dedication to innovation in this spirits category and the fact that we actually make all of our spirits ourselves, which is less common than people think. We’re not just about making booze; we’re about creating an experience—a reason for people to gather and enjoy life’s simple moments. I’m most proud of the community we’ve built, and knowing that each bottle we produce represents a piece of Midwest heart and craftsmanship. For us, it’s all about sharing good spirits, staying true to our roots, and making a positive impact along the way.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Absolutely. Right after the COVID shutdown was announced, we launched a cocktail delivery kit program, all while managing other jobs and grappling with the uncertainty of the pandemic. Within hours, we set up the site, developed the concept, and shared it online. We jumped in our cars and delivered those kits to people yearning for connection, standing in yards and engaging in meaningful conversations—doing whatever it took to keep our business alive. My car logged thousands of miles, and my brother drove with his kids in the back seat. Our community rallied behind us, and we kept the program going for a full year, constantly pivoting to meet new challenges.
When I was called back to my other job, I realized I had to commit full-time to Mean Mule; I couldn’t manage reopening the bar, running the cocktail kit program, and working two jobs simultaneously. That year brought its own set of challenges, but those dark times were pivotal—they put us on the map and reinforced the sense of community that lies at the heart of Mean Mule. This experience truly illustrated our resilience and dedication to not just surviving but thriving through adversity. Not to mention what it takes to jump when the fire is hot as a small business owner.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
Absolutely! We’ve built a strong following of over 16,3k on social media, which is solid for a business of our size in this community. Initially, social media scared me; I thought it had to be all about pretty squares and perfect aesthetics. But over time, as I kept at it, I realized it was just about sharing a story—one that people could connect with, like their favorite reality TV show.
While it’s essential to inform people about our events, products, and hours, I learned that our content should also be entertaining and fun to watch. I adopted a strategy that focuses on three pillars: Inform, Educate, and Entertain. I try to maintain a balance of posts in each category every week. If something isn’t working, I don’t stick with it. For example, I loved posting beautiful cocktail shots and explaining the ingredients, but I found that people weren’t connecting with that. We had to shift gears, become more informal, and show our faces more, even though that felt awkward at first.
My advice for those just starting is to keep experimenting and find what resonates with your audience. It’s about being authentic, staying engaged, and not being afraid to pivot when needed. Building an audience is a journey, and it should be enjoyable!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.meanmuledistilling.co
- Instagram: @meanmuledistillingco
Image Credits
Pilson Photo Co-Op