Persistence and Spirits with Carin Luna-Ostaseski of SIA Scotch Whiskey

July 16, 2021

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When Carin Luna-Ostaseski discovered the world of scotch, she realized it was full of preconceived notions and decided she wanted to create an inclusive brand that changed people’s opinions about it. She built SIA focusing on creating a flavor profile that was unique and destructive, and she hit the ground running with grit, the determination to make an impact, and a successful Kickstarter campaign.

Today, Carin looks back on her journey and shares the biggest lessons she’s learned over the years, as well as exciting news about the launch of The Entrepreneurial Spirit Fund by SIA Scotch, a $250,000 grant program in partnership with Hello Alice to support entrepreneurs of color. Carin shares how she pivoted from being a graphic designer for twenty years to launching her own brand, as well as her experience getting into the scotch industry and the power of networking. She talks about how she created a unique flavor profile that so many love, and she shares everything you need to know about launching a Kickstarter.

“Each no [is] almost like a checkpoint to make you decide: is this important to me? How badly do I want this? Is this gonna stop me, or is this gonna motivate me to keep going?”

- Carin Luna-Ostaseski

Join the Entreprenista League!

Hey Entreprenistas! We’re launching the Entreprenista League, our very own members platform and community just for you!

We listened to your feedback and the support you’re looking for to start and build your business, and we’re here to provide you with all of the resources you’ll need!

As part of the Entreprenista League, you’ll have access to a private community of like-minded Entreprenistas who are making an impact in business every day. You’ll find special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, and the opportunity to have your story featured on our website and social channels!

Whether you’re looking to scale your existing business and want to make the right connections, or you’re thinking about finally taking the leap to launch your business, we’re here to give you access to a community of women who will celebrate your every step, and with whom you can share the candid reality of building a business from scratch.

Join the Entreprenista league today at entreprenista.com/join. We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!

Getting Into eCommerce?

Do you have an eCommerce business, or are you thinking about launching one? Then this opportunity is for you! We’re excited to announce that we’re launching a free virtual event series with Shopify to help give small business owners the tools and motivation they need to get their eCommerce store up and running.

By joining us at Entreprenista on Shopify, you’ll learn how to launch your store, the best tips for SCO, and digital marketing strategies to grow your customer base. The events will be hosted by experts whose knowledge ranges from marketing to sourcing, merchandising, shipping, and procurement. Together, they’ll help you connect all of the dots to start a successful online business. You’ll hear real case studies from entreprenistas and so much more.

Shopify is also giving entreprenistas a 30-day free trial to launch your online store! Plus, when you attend the events you’ll be entered to win a free website store build valued at over $2500.

So head over to entreprenista.com/shopify to get your free trial, and join the Entreprenista on Shopify community!

Say “Hello!” To DigiCards™

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To grab your deck of DigiCards and bring fun, engagement, and collaboration back into your team meetings, visit www.hellodigicards.com. Use the coupon code: Entreprenista15 to receive 15% off your first order.

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Guests

Carin Luna-Ostaseski

Hosts

Stephanie Cartin

Co-founder of Socialfly and Entreprenista.

Stephanie Cartin is the co-founder and CEO of Entreprenista, an all-in-one platform – which includes a private community & business membership called The Entreprenista League that's made up of over 2,000 women founders at all stages of business, a weekly newsletter received by 60,000 readers, two podcasts, in-person educational & networking events, and an award program – that women founders at all stages can turn to for everything they need to grow.

Stephanie is also the co-founder of Socialfly (acquired by Truform Media Group in 2024), Markid, and Pearl Influential Capital. She has won countless awards, including the SmartCEO Brava award, which recognizes the top women CEOs in New York, and a Stevie Award for Women-Run Workplace of the Year. She has also appeared in Bloomberg, Forbes, Entrepreneur, Refinery29, and more.

Courtney Spritzer

Co-founder of Entreprenista.

Courtney Spritzer is a serial entrepreneur, angel investor, author, and community builder with a passion for creating brands and platforms that empower women to lead, grow, and thrive.

In 2012, she co-founded Socialfly, a leading social-first digital and influencer marketing agency. Over the course of a decade, she helped scale the business into an award-winning agency working with Fortune 500 brands and emerging startups, building a powerhouse team and culture along the way. In 2024, Socialfly was acquired.

In 2018, Courtney launched the Entreprenista Podcast to spotlight the stories of inspiring women founders. That passion evolved into Entreprenista Media in 2021, a media platform and community supporting women entrepreneurs at every stage of growth. She now co-leads the continued expansion of The Entreprenista League, a membership-driven community and ecosystem for founders.

As an angel investor, Courtney supports female-led and mission-driven startups aligned with her vision for a more inclusive and equitable business landscape.

She is the co-author of Like, Love, Follow: The Entreprenista’s Guide to Using Social Media to Grow Your Business (2015), a strategic guide for leveraging social platforms to drive business success.

Her work and ventures have been featured in Bloomberg, Forbes, Inc., Entrepreneur, and The New York Times. She is committed to championing visionary founders and helping build the next generation of impactful, community-driven businesses.

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