Q: For those in our audience not familiar with Anteel Tequila, why don’t you tell us how it started? 
NF: As with any great story, it is a long one, but it truly began with the question “Why Not?” 

My husband and I have been in Corporate America for a long time, being moved from one area to another and, in some cases, being moved out of a company. 

Tired of that corporate structure having control over our lives and future, I asked my husband, “if he could do anything in the world, what would you do?” Without hesitation he said, “I would own a tequila brand, but there is no way we can do that.” I replied, “Why Not?” 

After a few minutes of discussing the possibility, my husband reluctantly said that if I could find a quality distillery in Mexico to partner with, he would consider it. Two days later I found the distillery that we are working with to this day. 

Q: Did you have experience being a business owner prior to launching Anteel Tequila?
NF: Yes, both my husband and I have both been serial entrepreneurs in the past and although we have both seen success in the corporate world, we always had that passion for creating something of our own for ourselves and our family. 

Q: At what point in life did you acquire a passion for tequila?
NF: I was always a social drinker however, with many spirts, because I am a pancreatic cancer survivor, I would have to limit my consumption. Many spirits can spike my blood sugar and my body just does not respond well to it. 

When I met my husband, he was an avid tequila enthusiast and taught me more about this decadent agave spirit. I learned that it was low in sugar and carbs, was gluten-free and was low in calories. As we explored the premium tequila world together, I noticed that it was a spirit that did not raise my glycemic index like many others and the next day after drinking tequila, usually neat, I would feel fine. We just naturally fell in love with tequila and continued our journey of educating ourselves and others on why tequila is sometimes regarded as a “cleaner spirit.” 

Q: You are the first and only black woman to operate a Tequila product. For those women in our audience reading your interview, can you share with them your experience breaking into the spirit industry?
NF: At first, we truly did not know that I was the first black woman to own a tequila brand. At the end of 2019, my husband did some research and finally said that he thought I may be the first black woman to own or co-own a tequila brand. He reached out to some of his friends that are considered experts in the industry, and they confirmed that they knew of no other black women tequila brand owners. 

In March 2020, Forbes wrote an article about me being the first black woman to own or co-own a tequila brand and everything seemed to take off from there. 

For me, breaking into the spirit industry was something that I did not have too much information about, but I was up to face the challenge and I have continued to learn the industry as we have grown the brand. It has been a challenging experience, as there are not a lot of resources for smaller, emerging spirit brands, but I truly believe that if you are passionate about what you are doing in life, you will always find a way to resolve any challenges that you face. When starting Anteel, we just wanted to do something that we loved and were passionate about and that is why on the back of every bottle of Anteel are the words “Create Your Legacy” as we believe everyone has a legacy inside of them and that if they go after their dreams, they can create a legacy for their families. 

Q: What advice would you give to young women who want to purse their dream and start a business? 
NF: Research the industry that you would like to start a business in and plan your process of starting the business, but do not over plan. Most businesses are not started because there is fear and the need to have everything perfect before launching the business, but at some point, you must take that first step, as nothing will ever be perfect. In business, there will always be challenges and nothing will ever go as expected or planned, but if you are passionate about the business you are launching, then you will be able to resolve any challenges that come your way. How you react to the bumps and challenges in business, will determine how successful your business will be. 

Another piece of advice I can offer, never let your dream die. Do everything that you can to see your dreams come to life, it is important! 

Q: To what do you attribute your success?
NF: I attribute my success to my mindset. My mindset has been the one determining factor in many challenging times in my life. When I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer 15 years ago, I decided that I would not give in to the mindset that my life was over, even though pancreatic cancer was/is a cancer that has no cure. At the time, I was a single mother to an eight-year-old daughter, and she needed me. When I was advised that I would need a Whipple procedure surgery, I had faith that I would be okay and I decided then, that I would wake up from the surgery and that I would survive for my daughter. Before entering to have my surgery and before being anesthetized, I kept saying to myself, “Nayana, wake up.” Knowing that I had faith that I would be okay and that I would wake up, I know this mindset is what helped me through my pancreatic cancer experience. Seven years later, I had to employ this mindset again when I was diagnosed with having breast cancer. Again, before surgery and all during the process of beating breast cancer, I had faith and decided that I would get through the experience okay as well. 

I realized that my mindset has truly been my saving grace and the secret behind the many challenges that I have faced in my life. The mindset you create can be all the difference in the world and for me, it has gotten me through several challenging times and has brought me success. 

Q: Can you tell our audience one of your most memorable moments your career?
NF: One of the most memorable moments of my career as the COO of Anteel tequila just happened recently. I was featured in Essence Magazine, for which I am grateful and honored to have happen. The article spoke a little about my personal story, about Anteel Tequila and the growth that we are having. Due to the stories written about me in Forbes, Essence, and several other publications, I have had women reach out to me to tell me their own personal stories of overcoming adversities in life. These stories create memorable moments for me as well, as I feel that sharing my story, is inspiring other women to share theirs. I believe all of our stories are important and we need to share them with the world because we never know who we can help or inspire by doing so.   

Q: What’s one lesson you’ve learned in your career that you can share with our audience?
NF: One lesson that I have learned is that you never know what you are capable of until you try. 

I never would have thought that I would have been able to build a multiple award-winning tequila brand from the ground up, with no previous experience and with very little guidance. Almost three years later from launching, my brand has won over 27 awards and accolades and has experienced exceptional growth! That is why I always encourage new business owners to take that leap of faith, move past fear and move forward with whatever business they are trying to launch.

Q: After high school, where did you feel your career path would take you? 
NF: Due to my interest in the medical field from when I was a young girl, after high school, my career path was going to take me into the medical field to become a doctor, with the ultimate goal of becoming a neurosurgeon. However, because of the many challenges that happened in my life, I was unable to continue on that career path. I pivoted and earned my degrees in business and business management.

Q: Can you tell us how you manage your work life balance?
NF: Managing work/life balance is an ever-evolving struggle. Until just recently, I was still in my corporate position, while also being the COO of Anteel Tequila, the COO of Curious Inception and a volunteer with the Detroit affiliate of the Pancreatic Cancer Network. My most important roles are as a mother, wife, and grandmother. 

I have always been a planner and I manage the best that I can. I organize and structure my days and try to make sure that I add in time for family. Sometimes I feel I only get a few hours of sleep but, with what we are building, I feel it is worth it. I know that there is always room for improvement in my work/life balance and I am working on adding more self-care to my week. When there is time, I make sure to get outside and take a walk or incorporate some yoga in my day. I am currently working on making these things part of my everyday life.

12 Things About Nayana Ferguson 

1. What’s your favorite thing to do in your free time? 
Read

2. What was the last book you really got into? 
Becoming, by Michelle Obama, I read it in one day.

3. What’s your favorite international food? 
Thai

4. What’s your favorite quote or saying? 
“It is what it is”

5. If you unexpectedly won $10,000, what would you spend it on? 
I would invest in my business.

6. Are you a morning person or a night owl? 
Neither, more like mid-morning person.

7. What would your perfect vacation look like? 
Near water, preferably Maldives, where I do absolutely nothing.

8. What would you sing at Karaoke night? 
Yes, I have many times

9. What were you like in high school? 
I was an athlete and a nerd.

10. Would you rather cook or order in? 
Since I am very busy now, order in

11. What was your favorite subject in school? 
Biology

12. Cake or pie? 
Cake