We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Natalie Migliarini. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Natalie below.

Alright, Natalie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

In 2013, I was laid off from my public health job at the University of Washington in Seattle. Up until then, I had always lived a predictable life with a steady job and a low risk tolerance. Losing that job was a huge shift, and although I started applying for similar positions, I also felt a strong urge to explore a creative outlet. That’s when I began sharing cocktail recipes on my blog and Instagram.

What started as a small hobby quickly turned into something I was deeply passionate about. I learned photography, built a recipe database on my blog, and began posting daily on Instagram. I never expected this would become a career. The biggest risk I took was not taking the traditional jobs I was offered and instead, betting on myself to grow Beautiful Booze into a business. I chose to believe in this creative venture, despite outside voices telling me to “get a real job.”

Looking back, the biggest takeaway was learning that the key to taking risks is to simply start and not worry about perfection. I didn’t wait for everything to be flawless or ready; I focused on progress and learning as I went. There were many late nights, significant lifestyle changes, and lots of networking, but over the course of 12 years, Beautiful Booze became my full-time career.

This journey has been the ultimate test of risk-taking. The path wasn’t always clear, and there were countless moments of doubt, but I’m proud of the decision I made to take that leap of faith. It was, without a doubt, the best risk I’ve ever taken.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m Natalie Migliarini, the founder of Beautiful Booze, a brand that started as a passion project and evolved into a globally recognized name in the cocktail and hospitality space. My journey began with a love for cocktails, creativity, and travel. In 2013, I left behind a traditional career path to explore the world of mixology, sharing my discoveries and cocktail creations online. What began as a personal blog quickly gained traction, leading to collaborations with some of the world’s biggest spirits brands, hospitality venues, and media outlets. I share everything on @beautifulbooze on instagram, I am an author of Beautiful Booze: Stylish Cocktails to Make at Home and appeared on Netflix’s Drink Masters.

Beautiful Booze is more than just a brand—it’s a platform dedicated to inspiring people to mix, sip, and enjoy cocktails with confidence, whether at home or behind the bar. Through my work, I provide engaging cocktail content, photography, educational workshops, brand partnerships, and social media strategy for hospitality businesses. I focus on crafting visually stunning, accessible, and innovative cocktail recipes that make mixology approachable and fun.

What sets Beautiful Booze apart is its global influence and emphasis on storytelling through cocktails. I don’t just create drinks—I bring experiences to life, incorporating flavors and techniques inspired by my travels. From uncovering unique ingredients in Cognac, France, to exploring emerging cocktail trends in Australia, my approach is hands-on and immersive. This global perspective allows me to bring fresh, innovative ideas to the industry.

I’m most proud of building a brand that empowers both consumers and industry professionals. Whether it’s teaching cocktail workshops, hosting roundtable discussions on social media in hospitality, or helping brands elevate their presence, I love bridging the gap between creativity and strategy. For potential clients and followers, I want them to know that Beautiful Booze is all about making cocktails exciting, approachable, and visually stunning—while also offering valuable insights into branding and digital storytelling in the hospitality space.

At the heart of it all, I believe cocktails should be more than just drinks—they should be experiences that bring people together. That philosophy is what drives me and Beautiful Booze every day

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

Building Beautiful Booze has been an incredible journey, but it hasn’t come without challenges—and some hard lessons I had to unlearn along the way. One of the biggest was overcoming imposter syndrome. When I started, I didn’t have a background in social media, marketing, content creation, or photography. I was learning everything as I went, and there were so many moments when I questioned whether I was “qualified” to be doing this. That doubt sometimes slowed my growth because I second-guessed my decisions or hesitated to take up space in the industry.

I had to unlearn the idea that expertise only comes from traditional paths. The truth is, passion, persistence, and hands-on experience are just as valuable—if not more. I wasn’t following a set roadmap, but that’s exactly what allowed me to carve out something unique. Instead of seeing my nontraditional background as a weakness, I eventually embraced it as my strength. It gave me the freedom to approach content and branding differently, without being boxed in by “how things are supposed to be done.”

Another lesson I had to unlearn was that success isn’t just about working harder—it’s about working smarter. In the beginning, I thought I had to do everything myself, from creating recipes to editing videos and managing social media. But over time, I realized that delegating, collaborating, and refining my focus were essential to sustainable growth.

The biggest takeaway? You don’t have to have all the credentials or a perfect plan to start something meaningful. Beautiful Booze grew because I was willing to take risks, adapt, and trust that learning by doing was just as valuable as any formal training. Now, I hope to inspire others to pursue their passions—no matter their background—because the best ideas often come from those who think outside the box

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

When I started Beautiful Booze, I had no experience in social media, marketing, or photography—I just had a passion for cocktails and a desire to share my creations. My journey wasn’t about going viral overnight; it was a slow and steady process of learning, adapting, and staying consistent.

How I Built My Social Media Audience

Starting Across Multiple Platforms
In the beginning, I wasn’t focused on just one platform—I was posting on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and my blog. Each platform had a different audience and purpose: Facebook helped me connect with groups and share links, Twitter was great for real-time conversations with the cocktail and hospitality community, Instagram was a visual showcase for my drinks, and my blog allowed me to go in-depth with recipes and stories. Managing all of them was a challenge, but it also helped me figure out where my content resonated the most.

Focusing on Storytelling to Drive Engagement
Social media is more than just pretty pictures—it’s about telling a story. Whether I was crafting a new cocktail, visiting a bar halfway across the world, or sharing behind-the-scenes moments, I focused on storytelling to make my content more engaging and relatable.

Creating Approachable Content
From the start, I wanted Beautiful Booze to be welcoming to everyone, whether they were professional bartenders or just getting started with mixing drinks at home. I focused on making my content fun, educational, and easy to follow, so that anyone could feel confident recreating my cocktails.

Engaging With the Community
One of the most important things I did was interact with my audience. I answered every comment and DM, not just to acknowledge people but to create real conversations. This built a loyal community that felt connected to Beautiful Booze beyond just the visuals.

Consistency & Adaptability
I committed to posting regularly, even when I wasn’t sure if anyone was paying attention. As social media evolved, I adapted—Instagram Stories, Reels, and new content formats all became important tools for growth. Being willing to try new things kept Beautiful Booze fresh and relevant.

Coming Up With Creative Ideas & Series
To keep content fresh and exciting, I created series like my Beautiful Booze Bar Crawl, where I showcased cocktail experiences from bars around the world. These types of series gave my audience something to look forward to and kept them engaged over time.

Saying Yes to Opportunities That Scared Me
One of the biggest factors in my growth was my willingness to say yes—even when an opportunity felt intimidating. Whether it was traveling to a new place, speaking on a panel, or working with a major brand, I leaned into the discomfort. These experiences not only helped me grow my audience but also expanded my skill set, making me more confident and capable in the industry.

Attending Industry Events & Conferences
Networking played a big role in my journey. Attending industry events and conferences allowed me to meet people, learn from experts, and create new opportunities. It wasn’t just about showing up—it was about building relationships that helped me and Beautiful Booze grow.

Adopting a Non-Traditional Work Lifestyle
Growing Beautiful Booze meant fully immersing myself in this world. I changed my lifestyle to accommodate a work schedule that didn’t fit into a traditional 9-to-5 structure. Traveling constantly, creating content on the go, and always thinking about new ideas became part of my daily life.

Advice for Those Just Starting Out

Just Start. Don’t wait until you have everything figured out. Start creating, post consistently, and refine your approach as you go.

Find Your Niche. What makes your perspective unique? Lean into your strengths and interests to create content that stands out.

Focus on Storytelling. People connect with stories, not just images. Make your audience feel part of your journey.

Make Your Content Approachable. Don’t overcomplicate things—help your audience feel like they can create or experience what you’re sharing.

Engage, Engage, Engage. Answer comments and DMs. Social media isn’t just about posting—it’s about building relationships.

Be Adaptable. Platforms change all the time. Stay curious, experiment with new features, and don’t be afraid to evolve your content strategy.

Say Yes to Challenges. Growth happens outside of your comfort zone. Taking on opportunities that scare you can lead to some of your biggest breakthroughs.

Make Networking a Priority. Attend events, connect with industry professionals, and put yourself in spaces where opportunities can happen.

Enjoy the Process. Growing a social media presence takes time. If you’re not having fun, it will feel like a chore. Stay passionate, and your audience will feel it too.

At the end of the day, Beautiful Booze grew because I stayed true to my voice, engaged with my community, and wasn’t afraid to take risks. Social media success isn’t about chasing trends—it’s about creating something that resonates with people and keeps them coming back

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.beautifulbooze.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beautifulbooze
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/19BoisVctG/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beautifulbooze
• Twitter: https://x.com/beautifulbooze
• Other: Book Link: https://amzn.to/3RbaEE5 or https://a.co/d/6Ux1zbr