I was born in La Habana, Cuba, and emigrated to the U.S. at 7 years old. My parents were chemical engineers, and my dad distilled rum for a global leader in the category. I grew up in Florida hearing about his heyday making rum on the island. After a start in the hospitality industry as a 15-year-old barback, I paid my way through college as a bartender, learned to make cocktails at a craft distillery, and researched alcohol trends at an industry organization. Disappointed at the lack of authentic brands in the space representing Latin culture, I started my own. Despite years of self-doubt and bootstrapping, I launched Ron Pa'lante with my family to do our part to elevate rum as the premium spirit we know it can be and bring a brand to the market that amplifies Latin culture in the U.S.