Today, Catalina Gaete-Bentz, CEO of Catan Pisco, a spirit distilled 100% from grapes, shares the challenges she faced as a female entrepreneur. Catalina was told that she could not attend business school, but did not let that stop her from pursuing her dream. She utilized her resources to start her business and continues to push for excellence bringing Pisco to the market. Catalina tells about her experiences retaining investor funding and how she plans to grow Catan Pisco in the future. Tune in to learn more about this amazing woman owned business and give Catan Pisco a try. 

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [6:36] Catalina’s experience prior to starting Catan Picso.
• [9:24] How Catalina came up with the idea for Catan Picso.
• [11:45] What were the first things she did to create a viable business?
• [16:35] What is Pisco? 
• [17:50] Catalina reflects on the challenges she has faced as a female entrepreneur. 
• [20:09] Why did Catalina walk away from an angel investor? 
• [22:08] How has Catalina worked with investors to receive outside funding?
• [24:01] Where does Catalina see her business growing with her next large investment? 
• [25:29] How can Pisco be enjoyed?
• [28:09] The best way to support women entrepreneurs.
• [30:48] The biggest challenge for Catan Pisco.
• [31:35] Where does Catalina distribute her product? 

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• [16:12] If you don’t invest in yourself first, why would anyone else? Invest in yourself and learn the skills that you need to have in order to grow a successful business. 
• [22:56] Going to friends, family, and people that believe in you and want to support you while also having a piece of your company is a great way to acquire funding. Tap into micro investments then move into the next level when you are ready to grow your business. 
• [29:02] Women businesses need support! There is a big hole with women even being able to receive funding, there are so few women owned businesses that reach the million dollar mark. When you are going to make a purchase, do some research and spend some time learning about who you are supporting. 

BIO:

For as long as I can remember, pisco is associated with celebration. Instead of champagne, my family marked special occasions and life milestones with pisco sours—the spirit’s most popular cocktail from the land where my story began.

Born in Santiago, Chile, my family moved to Bellflower, California when I was three years old. Though I was raised stateside, my Latin American roots and Chilean soul is who I am. My parents ensured we were raised with our Chilean traditions—and my mother’s cooking, accompanied by my father’s pisco cocktails were the center of it all.

Being raised in a traditional Latin household in the USA was truly wonderful. However, it also came with its challenges. I knew at a very young age I wanted to start and own a business, but when the time came to pick a college major, my father did not approve or support my entrepreneurial path; so, I settled on a Psychology BA and eventually pursued a Master’s Degree in Public Administration, MPA (which was the closest study to an MBA without disappointing my father.) Eventually, my desire to become an entrepreneur became unignorable, and I knew I had to establish my own business. All I needed was my product. The answer eventually came to me overwhelmingly, and that answer was pisco.

Though pisco did retail here in the states, it was always difficult to find, and premium pisco brands were never an option. We relied on my aunts and uncles’ visits from Chile to smuggle in the good stuff. Not only was pisco not widely accessible in the U.S. market, but the reality is, pisco had not been truly discovered by the American consumer. This had to change, and I knew I had to change it, so I did.

In 2018, I launched the first American pisco brand in the USA, and became the first female-owned pisco company in the history of Chile. I humbly carry this title with honor, in hopes to inspire other Latina women to chase their entrepreneurial dreams, to turn them into realities.

I dedicate Catan Pisco to reflect the beautiful journey, the inevitable struggles and the wonderful celebrations of life and love with those who mean the most—and I invite you to join me with Catan Pisco. Salud!

LINKS MENTIONED:

Catan Pisco

Catan Pisco Instagram

Email: Catalina@CatanPisco.com 

We Funder Website – To Support Catan Pisco as an Investor 

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