Mara started drinking tequila when she was looking for a gluten-free, clean drink that fit into her healthier lifestyle. For years, she searched for a tequila brand that was additive-free with a look, taste and aroma that appealed to her. That perfect tequila simply did not exist, so she decided to create one - managing it all from her kitchen in the midst of COVID. Inspiro Tequila was born with a vision to redefine what it means to enjoy tequila. It is crafted from 100% Blue Weber Agave and contains no additives.

When no one else offered what she was looking for, Mara simply decided to create one herself. The name “Inspiro” comes from the Spanish word for inspiration, and it was chosen as a nod to her grandmother - a Holocaust survivor - and her mother, the two most inspiring female figures in her life.

Smith was once a lawyer at one of the largest law firms in Chicago and then moved to a Fortune 100 company where she worked in corporate strategy. Her professional days came to a halt when she was put on emergency bedrest while pregnant with her twins. They were born prematurely and she needed to be there for them.

Over the years at home she kept thinking about her next step and always dreamed of starting her own company. Smith is an amazing spotlight for you to consider because she reminds us all that if we can dream our second act in life, we can make it a reality. She believes that women especially can innovate in any industry, even as an outsider, if they are willing to put in the hard work and do the research.

Inspiro Tequila is a rare find - women-owned, with a female distiller, certified WBENC brand, and made with the female consumer in mind. Inspiro’s goal was not just to create a one-of-a-kind tequila, it was also to make women feel seen and relevant in the spirits industry, involving them in every step of the process, from creating the taste profiles to getting bottles on the shelf.

And while Inspiro is now available and for sale at InspiroTequila.com, Mara is just getting started. As a female founder, her mission is to give back to other female founders. This was the inspiration and vision behind the Inspiro Purple Bicycle Project, created to financially support and mentor female founders enabling them to get started, manage the bumps along the way, and move forward to follow their dreams.