279 - Aluminum Tequila Bottles? De Nada!

People of Packaging Podcast

About the Guest(s): **Adam Millman and Danny Neeson** are the co-founders of De Nada Tequila, a pioneering brand in the spirits industry, particularly known for being the first to package tequila in aluminum containers. Both Adam and Danny hail from the New York City area and met at Tulane University. Their entrepreneurial journey began with a sustainable clothing line called "Pine Outfitters." They are passionate about creating high-quality, sustainable products and have deep roots in sustainability-focused business practices.

Check them out at DeNadaTequila.com

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Episode Summary: In this engaging episode, Adam Peek interviews Adam Millman and Danny Neeson, co-founders of De Nada Tequila, to dive deep into their journey from college entrepreneurs to pioneering the first aluminum-packaged tequila brand. The conversation starts with their backgrounds and how they met at Tulane University, where their mutual interest in sustainability and business ideas took root. They discuss their first business venture, Pine Outfitters, which utilized recycled materials for clothing, setting the stage for their future endeavors in sustainable product development. The episode delves into the intricacies of developing De Nada Tequila, highlighting the challenges and innovations that came with sourcing high-quality, additive-free tequila and packaging it in an environmentally conscious way. Adam and Danny elaborate on their choice of aluminum packaging, emphasizing its sustainability benefits such as lower carbon emissions, lightweight nature, and ease of recycling. This focus aligns with their brand ethos of promoting sustainability and quality. The engaging conversation also touches on the benefits of aluminum in lifestyle scenarios, such as poolside enjoyment and its protective properties for the product.

Key Takeaways: -

Sustainable Entrepreneurship**: Adam and Danny's journey from a sustainable clothing line to creating an eco-friendly tequila brand. -

Innovative Packaging**: The decision to use aluminum packaging for tequila, highlighting its sustainability and practical benefits. -

Additive-Free Tequila**: The importance of crafting tequila without additives and the processes involved in maintaining quality. -

Market Impact**: How De Nada Tequila's unique packaging and sustainable practices are influencing the spirits industry. -

Future Plans**: Insights into De Nada Tequila’s distribution plans and aspirations for wider market presence. ### Notable Quotes: 1. "We felt there was no tequila in the market that stood for craftsmanship and sustainability and our ethos as well." - Danny Neeson 2. "Aluminum is infinitely recyclable... It also lowers emissions considerably when you think about the entire value chain." - Adam Millman 3. "Sip in the right direction. We want to make as many improvements as possible to move our brands and the industry in the right path." - Adam Millman 4. "It took a few years in the market and developing De Nada to kind of get a sense of where we were at... and what our brand ethos stood for." - Danny Neeson 5. "We believe we want our bottles to be enjoyed in the areas in nature that people enjoy them in." - Adam Millman

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