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Two-time Emmy and three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Taia Rashid and Daphne Carter.

🎯 Purpose of the Interview

To highlight the entrepreneurial journey of Taia Rashid and Daphne Carter, co-founders of Cassie Beverage, a premium vodka-based drink brand. The interview explores their inspiration, challenges as Black women in a male-dominated liquor industry, and their commitment to quality and authenticity.

🧠 Key Takeaways 1. Founders’ Background & Bond

• Taia and Daphne met as dance moms in Houston, Texas.
• Their friendship grew through shared experiences at dance competitions.
• Their cocktail-making hobby evolved into a business idea.

2. Cassie Beverage Origins

• Inspired by family traditions involving alcohol (moonshine and wine coolers).
• The brand name “Cassie” is a blend of their last names.
• Their products include Daphne Limoncello and Daphne Berrycello.

3. Business Launch & Support

• The idea was sparked during a trip to the Amalfi Coast.
• Their husbands, both entrepreneurs, helped launch the business and provided initial capital.
• They entered a white male-dominated industry with determination and humility, seeking mentorship and doing extensive research.

4. Commitment to Quality

• Their drinks use natural ingredients like fresh lemon juice and cane sugar.
• They resisted pressure to use cheaper alternatives like concentrates or preservatives.
• Their goal: create a premium product they’re proud to consume themselves.

5. Challenges in the Liquor Industry

• High startup costs and tight margins.
• Strategic decisions around packaging, pricing, and market positioning.
• Balancing premium quality with affordability for consumers.

6. Academic & Professional Backgrounds

• Daphne: Advanced degrees in chemistry and mathematics; former charter school executive and state superintendent.
• Taia: Degree in chemical engineering; worked for Frito-Lay and later became a stay-at-home mom.

7. Empowerment & Representation

• They emphasized the importance of supporting women, especially in non-traditional roles like bartending and mixology.
• Encouraged others to pivot careers and pursue passions regardless of societal expectations.
• Advocated for creating space at the table when none is offered.

8. Community Impact

• A caller shared how the interview inspired her to support her daughter’s bartending career.
• The founders responded with encouragement and emphasized redefining success beyond traditional roles.

💬 Notable Quotes

• “We found the perfect cocktail—the cure was liquor. A cup of joy.”
• “We wanted something of quality that we could stand proud of.”
• “If there’s no room at the table, bring a folding chair.”
• “Your degrees give you soft skills—you can pivot and do whatever you want.”
• “We’re winning because we’re doing something we love, even with the struggles.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST