Rebecca Styn

Rebecca Styn is the Founder & CEO of Blind Tiger, an award-winning line of spirit-free and low-ABV adult beverages that embody the richness and complexity of classic cocktails while evoking the allure of the Prohibition era. In 2017, she launched a speakeasy in Erie, PA, renowned for its craft cocktails. When the pandemic hit in March 2020, forcing a shift to takeout only, Styn faced a challenge as 90% of sales came from the bar, yet alcohol sales to-go were prohibited. Refusing to lay off her team, she began crafting non-alcoholic versions of her cocktails, which led to the creation of Blind Tiger. With over 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Styn collaborated with her chief mixologist to develop the original recipes for Blind Tiger. Since its launch in late 2021, the brand has garnered 30 prestigious awards from national and international beverage competitions and is now available in over 1,000 locations across the United States and abroad. In addition to her entrepreneurial endeavors, Styn is a published writer, contributing to regional and national publications on topics such as entrepreneurship, mixology, and hospitality. She also serves as an adjunct professor at two local universities, where she brings her extensive academic and real-world experience into the classroom. Styn holds a Ph.D. in entrepreneurial leadership, a master’s degree in public administration from Gannon University, and a bachelor of music from Mercyhurst University. She has delivered a TEDx talk on the “Dark Side of Charisma” in leadership and has received recognition for her contributions to the community. She lives with her husband, Rob Mahrt, an avid bibliophile and entrepreneur, and their two spirited cats and playful golden retriever, who fill their home with joy and humility.