I grew up on the South Side of Chicago and lived there for more than three decades before moving to Arizona in 2000, where I fell in love with the desert lifestyle. In 2005, I moved to Seville and have truly enjoyed being part of this community ever since. I’m blessed with two daughters, both married, and seven wonderful grandchildren who bring me so much joy.

I like to say I graduated from the “school of life.” After high school in Chicago, I worked in banking and then spent 20 years in real estate. In 2006, after being apart for 30 years, I reunited with my father in Mexico. That meeting changed everything—he shared with me and my late husband Jonathan my family’s 3-generation tequila recipe. Inspired by this legacy, we took a leap of faith and created a hand crafted artisanal tequila brand, Señor Rio, named after my father’s nickname. From banking to real estate to tequila—It's  been a journey.

My business is producing an all-natural, artisanal tequila, available nationwide at Total Wine & More. More recently, I also published my first book, One Bottle at a Time – A True Love Story with 50 Tequila Craft Recipes, available on Amazon, The Collective in Gilbert, and at onebottleatatimebook.com. The book shares the story behind our brand, honoring my late husband Jonathan, our co-founder, and my father, Señor Rio. Each story is paired with a craft cocktail recipe created by a Tucson mixologist. At its heart, the book celebrates family, perseverance, and community.

Señor Rio is a tequila with a cause. During COVID, I founded We Care Crusade, a nonprofit supporting families with children who have special needs, inspired by my twin granddaughters who live with Angelman Syndrome. For every bottle sold, we donate $1 to this cause.  Two years ago, I also welcomed a new business partner—actor Joe Mantegna, best known for his role as David Rossi on Criminal Minds. Joe and I connected through our shared mission of helping families, as he is also a father to a daughter with autism. Together, we’re working to spread not just tequila smiles, but real smiles to families who need them most. To learn more, visit wecarecrusade.org.

My best advice is: never give up and follow what feeds your soul. Each of us has the power to make a difference, whether big or small. One of my favorite quotes is from Gandhi: “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”

I live with a grateful heart and count my blessings daily. Life can be like a roller coaster—both exciting and scary at times—but we should always remember that everyone is facing something. Treating others the way we’d like to be treated is one of the simplest yet most powerful ways to live.

Rim a Nick & Nora glass with fresh lime juice, then dip into Tajín mild lime seasoning. Add all ingredients to a shaker tin with ice, shake vigorously, and strain into the prepared glass.

Edible coral tuile.

 (480) 209-2582

 senorrio.com

 @senorriotequila