Stephanie Houston, Island Getaway Rum

First Latina-Owned Distillery in Texas

Stephanie shares her entrepreneurial journey and how she's putting Texas rum on the map. I hope she brings samples...

About our speaker:

As the first female Hispanic distillery owner in Texas, Stephanie Houston is co-founder of Island Getaway Rum: a minority-and family-owned & operated rum distillery in Dripping Springs, Texas. Her career as an entrepreneur began as a co-founder of a nationwide staffing company. By the time Stephanie and her partners sold the business in 2008, the company employed over 700 team members. This early success allowed Stephanie to focus on her passion for connection and hard work, which resulted in the development of multiple professional projects and entrepreneurial ventures. Notably, Stephanie is credited with helping to pioneer a resurgence of Dallas’ Deep Ellum entertainment district with the opening of bar & music venue LaGrange, followed by the first food-truck-focused trailer park eatery in Dallas. 

Never one to be satisfied with the status quo, Stephanie continues to break barriers leading the ever-expanding Island Getaway Rum distillery. As one of a very few producers of US-made dark rum, the distillery has created an extensive following, reaching beyond Texas’ borders. Partnering with the Texas Department of Agriculture on international trade missions, Stephanie and her team are putting Texas rum on the map, bringing the rich history of the spirit to consumers internationally to places such as Canada, Hong Kong, Vietnam and Spain. 

Stephanie is an advocate for the spirits industry and is actively fighting for progressive legislative change in Texas liquor laws. She continues to change the face of Texas distilleries as a minority female spirits leader in a male-dominated industry, and is committed to supporting other BIPOC-owned brands.

Agenda:

6:50am - Coffee & Networking 

7:10am - Breakfast Buffet

7:25am - Introductions & Announcements

7:50am - Speaker Introduction

8:20am - Q&A

8:30am - Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Directions and Parking

Breakfast Fees & Policy