We recently had the chance to connect with Tina Karras and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Tina, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
Integrity.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi! I’m Tina Karras, the CEO & Founder of Tina’s Organic Vodka: the only Non-GMO Verified Vodka owned by a woman. I support organic, non-GMO, and regenerative agriculture farmers. I’m using my vodka to educate and inspire people to vote with their dollars and support brands that contribute to the betterment of the planet. The way our food supply has been infiltrated by chemicals is also happening to spirits. Ingredients labels are not required on spirits bottles so people are drinking glycerin, HFCS, fake sugars, food coloring, etc. and have no idea that that is what is causing their headaches and indigestion.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
That my passion and enthusiasm were a problem. Now I see them as a gift instead of nuisance to my parents and teachers.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes! When Sazerac attempted to oppose my trademark. They’re a multi-billion dollar company that has very expensive lawyers and they came after my trademark even though they weren’t using the one they ridiculously claimed was too similar to mine. This was also during the first Christmas holiday of the pandemic which made it even worse. They had TINA in class 33 in the tequila category since 1966 but weren’t using it in recent years. Thankfully, I was referred to a fantastic litigator that got them to drop their false claim, however, as a small start up business, that was an extra bill and expenditure of time that set me back. Then Sazerac allowed their trademark to abandon and I now own TINA’S in class 33 for the entire liquor category on the USPTO. So it all worked out but was very stressful. It has given me the strength to persevere through other tough times.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
That the sourcing of spirits doesn’t matter. Glyphosate and other pesticides survive the distillation process meanwhile gluten does not. Glyphosate Free is way more important than Gluten Free. In addition, 30% of the corn grown in this country is used to make spirits and if other spirits producers demanded, like I did, that their corn be Non-GMO and Organic, the positive environmental impact in our country would be enormous! And you wouldn’t have consumers unknowingly drinking glyphosate in their cocktails. I think we have the right to know what’s in our food & beverages.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
That I helped make things better in their lives even with just a conversation or helping clean up the pesticides on the Earth.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tinasvodka.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tinasvodka/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-karras-69b429221/
- Twitter: https://x.com/TinasVodka
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tinasvodka
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mwhEcKzHNIZbb-HxbDFf4cnB-yUO1i5Uw
Image Credits
Tina Karras
Kyle Corey
Leigh Anne Carter
Amy Graves
