Meet The First Black Women Entrepreneurs To Own A Whiskey Brand In California

History has been made by Sheila Jackson and Natasha McCrea. They are reportedly the first Black women entrepreneurs to own a whiskey brand in the state of California.

The founders’ vision stemmed from a 2020 conversation held over dinner when they bonded through a shared interest in whiskey. It was then that they came to an understanding they could make their mark in the industry by entering into business together.

“…Many women love whiskey but we are never included in the conversation,” McCrea said during an interview with Canvas Rebel. “We talked about how whiskey sales were on the rise and how we had both thought about starting a whiskey brand. In that moment we decided we should be the women who disrupt an entire industry.”

In 2022, Jackson McCrea was launched. Both founders bring together past career experiences in separate fields. Jackson helms a production company uplifting Black woman and leads “The Good CEO” podcast, speaking with “bold, unapologetic CEOs.”

“My entire career has been about empowering women, elevating our stories and expanding our voice,” she said in a Forbes interview.

McCrea serves as a life coach and leads the Love CEO Institute, described as “a sanctuary for ambitious women to discover the pleasure in living their best life,” per its Instagram page.

“Owning a whiskey brand aligns with my ethos and coaching principles of designing the life I want,” McCrea told Forbes.

Jackson McCrea Rye Whiskey

As for the company’s offerings, J ackson McCrea sells premium rye whiskey, described as a 5-year-old Tennessee Rye matured in French oak Syrah wine barrels in California, according to its website.

“We are both Moms, of two amazing young humans. Motherhood is the toughest job you’ll ever love. Birthing a new whiskey brand is no different… We tasted, and tasted, and rated. Then, we tasted the results of our feedback – again, and again. And our recipe was born! We even tasted our new recipe alongside some of our favorite brands – and it stands strong,” the company mentioned on Instagram.

Championing the founders’ work in the spirits space so far, Krista Purnell, a non-profit director and publisher, commented to Forbes:

“What Sheila and Natasha are doing for the whiskey business is impressive. They are changing the face and the game of a traditionally male-dominated space with their passion, creativity, talent and tenacity. Their rye-based whiskey is well-rounded and smooth with flavor profiles preferred by the palates of sophisticated women whiskey drinkers.”