Entrepreneurial Lessons from the CEO Who Rescued Tequila Mandala

"From high school teacher to mayor, and now CEO of Tequila Mandala—Kirk Cartozian’s journey is anything but ordinary. In this episode, Kirk sits down to discuss his unexpected career pivots, the hustle behind revitalizing Downey’s downtown, and how a late-night tequila tasting led to him saving (and scaling) a luxury tequila brand on the brink of collapse. Along the way, he shares lessons on risk-taking, the power of partnerships, and why sometimes the best opportunities come when you’re least expecting them. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a dreamer, or just love a good comeback story, this conversation is packed with inspiration (and maybe a little tequila wisdom too). Cheers!"