We love Mondays! And the reasons why we love Mondays are many — the biggest reason being we get the opportunity to share an incredible mom with you! And this week, we are so excited to share BeTini Spirits Founder and Product Designer, Julie Stevens.
You may remember Julie joined WILX Studio 10 for a Margarita Day segment earlier this year! We simply commented on her post about her visit to Lansing. She then asked if we would like to try BeTini Spirits! She shared some BeTini Spirits with us and the rest is history.
We recently had a Zoom Happy Hour with Julie! And she is just lovely. Read on and learn more about Julie and some mom-wisdom from when her children were younger. AND how her dreams may not have been the priority for a bit but she is pursuing them now that her children are grown!
She also shares all about BeTini Spirits, from how the idea came to be during a girl’s trip to where you will find BeTini locally. And just for Greater Lansing Area Moms – read on – you will find a promo code below to save on your next online order!
Did you know Julie was recently named as a 2024 Honoree of the 100 Women To KNOW in America! “The 100 Women to KNOW In America Award, presented by J.P. Morgan Chase is a recognition that showcases the most influential, achieved, and honorable women in our society. Each winner goes through a process including a nomination and interview with a panel before being selected.” (The Know Women page, Retrieved April 27, 2024, from https://theknowwomen.com/100-women-to-know-in-america-class-of-2024/)
Congratulations Julie!
Welcome to Greater Lansing Area Moms, Julie! Please introduce yourself!
I recently moved to Colorado and I absolutely love it. I’m a mom of two amazing grown-up children, an entrepreneur & product designer. My love for design and entrepreneurship started from a very young age. In junior high, I started sewing cheerleading outfits to earn pocket money and invented a custom tool bag for designers while attending Brooks College for fashion design, that landed me my first order from LA Fashion Institute.
I love the design process and find my inspiration from color, art and nature. I also love interior design. I’m currently renovating a historical theater that was built in 1912, and plan to install a state-of-the-art music venue and recording studio. I have design and utility patents on other products including; stemless martini glasses, a 360 degree golf putting-cup, and my most delicious creation, BeTini Spirits. I recently designed a BeTini Flower-Shaped Ice Bucket, which I’m excited to launch this summer.
How old are your children?
My son is 23 and my daughter is almost 26.
What is something you wholeheartedly enjoy about being a mom when your children were younger? And now that they are a little older?
When they were little, I loved spending creative time with them. We had an arts and crafts area set up in the basement and we would spend hours drawing, painting, or working with clay. My daughter even wrote and illustrated a book that won a Mom’s choice award, when she was 15. Now that my kids are at college, I love to treat them to dinner or take them on vacations.
What is a piece of advice for new moms you wish you would have known when you were a new mom?
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you don’t have family nearby, then form a mom group and trade babysitting duties with other moms, so that you each can have an afternoon for some “me” time or to do something creative!
How do you balance being a mom and your career?
Like a lot of moms, I put my own dreams last when my kids were young. I would find time to volunteer at charities or at my kids school and to help family and friends, but then I didn’t have time to work on my own creative projects. So when they got a little older, I decided to “volunteer” equal time to my own dreams.
How do you plan on spending Mother’s Day this year?
I plan to spend Mother’s Day with my beautiful 91 year old Mom. Even though her health is not the best, she still sets a stellar example for all of us. She is always kind and gracious and she still plays board games with her grandchildren and great grandchildren and gives them her undivided attention. I hope that I am at least half as gracious as she is when I am her age.
Please tell us more about BeTini Spirits…
What was the story or the inspiration behind BeTini?
Girl’s weekend! I was hosting a bunch of my girlfriends for a weekend getaway, and even though I prepared food and hors d’oeuvres ahead of time, I still found myself in the kitchen making drinks, while everyone else was out by the pool. My friends challenged me to design a pre-made cocktail brand, as there were very few ready to drink options on the market at that time, so after tons of research and hosting many fun tasting parties with friends, BeTIni Spirits was born.
There are six award-winning, premium-crafted, ready-to-drink flavors. We have three lovely martinis: Lemon Drop, Pink Cranberry Cosmo & Appletini. Two delicious rum cocktails; Tropical Sunset & Mojito, and an amazing Margarita! All our cocktails are low calorie, low-carb & gluten-free, and are available in our signature 750ml frosted-hourglass bottle and our BeTini Mini 4-packs, recyclable 200ml PET champagne flutes.
And do you have a favorite?
I love our Pink Cranberry Cosmo. It’s the perfect balance of sweet and tart. It’s so delicious & pretty.
Do people mix to make new flavors?
Yes! Our Cosmo mixed with Appletini makes a delicious CranAppletini. The combination of the two create a lovely rose’ hue.
Speaking of new flavors, are there any new ones in the works?
Yes. We just formulated a new Espresso Tini, that is super yummy. I hope to launch it this winter.
Where is BeTini Spirits available in the Greater Lansing area?
Big Ten Party Stores, ABC Liquor, On the Rocks Wine & Spirits, South Washington Market, Spartan Spirits, Chandlers Top Shelf, all in the Lansing area, are some of the top stores that carry BeTini.
Do you ship?
Yes! BeTini is available to order online via our website BeTiniSpirits.com
The spirits industry is largely male dominated. What challenges have you faced as you grow BeTini Spirits?
The biggest challenge was getting past the gatekeepers with a female founded product, that’s super feminine and whose target market is mostly moms. The distribution channels are mostly run by men, and I had to work hard to show them that 80% of grocery purchases are made by women, so carrying a brand geared toward moms was a win-win.
Now a couple of questions to get to know you a little better…
How do you take your coffee?
Venti!
What is your favorite meal to prepare?
Maple Salmon! Dm for recipe.
Favorite account or two on Instagram?
I love The Local Moms Network!
And Jay Shetty for daily inspiration.
Last book you read?
I just read “Worthy” by Jamie Kern Lima and it was phenomenal!
I also collect coffee table books featuring the works of artists and couture designers. My latest obsession is with the Andee Eye-Collector’s Edition! The book is museum quality bound. The photographs are stunning and intimate and Andee’s story will transport you back in time.
Do you have a favorite brand, specific item or must have that you carry?
I love Sugarfina! I have package design envy! We all love candy, and they found a way to make simple candies fashionable. So smart!
Do you have a favorite podcast?
The Mel Robbins Podcast! Answer the call to adventure in your life is my favorite episode. So insightful!
Do you have a favorite saying or quote that motivates or inspires you?
“Everything you can imagine is real.” – Pablo Picasso
What are you looking forward to this summer?
BeTini just got distribution in the Caribbean, and I am excited to spend time doing tastings at local markets and spending some time at the beach.
How do you prefer readers to connect with you if they would like more information or would like to connect?
You can connect with us via our contact page on our website or send us a DM via our socials.
And we would love for Greater Lansing Area Moms to try BeTini Spirits! When you order, use promo code Moms10 and enjoy 10% off online orders and is valid through May 13, 2024.
Julie, thank you so much for joining us as our Greater Lansing Area Moms Meet a Mom this week!
We are big fans of BeTini Spirits and look forward to trying new flavors soon! We also look forward to the possibility of working with you again later this year!
And once again, congratulations being a 2024 Honoree and being one of the 100 Women To KNOW in America this year – what a list of extraordinary women!
Cheers, to you, Julie!
