Shows
The SpeakeasyBitterwater“You can’t deny climate change when you live in New Orleans” So says Christa Cotton, CEO of El Guapo bitters as she describes her company’s commitment to doing good while being, well, all her products are non-alcoholic, so slightly bad. She sits down with Greg & Sother to discuss her beginnings working for her family’s distillery, her new line of RTD bitters and soda, and possibly the most metal way to produce sandbags you’ve ever heard of.Plus, dress codes? Greg has a run in with high level southern hospitality that has him re-examining his stance.2025-03-2852 min
Cocktails DistilledThe Rise of Non-Alcoholic Bitters with El GuapoWhen we think about Dry January or making any non-alcoholic cocktails, we usually think about the spirits or liqueurs that we use in drinks. But how often do you think about the bitters?Coming in tiny little bottles, where you might only use a drop or two, it's easy to forget that bitters are technically alcohol. Most bitters commonly on the market sit around 35-45% ABV, and although you are only using a small amount, this can derail your non-alcoholic efforts. So, understandably, non-alcoholic bitters brands are becoming more and more popular. One su...2025-01-1432 min
Louisiana EatsLouisiana Eats: A Cure For What Ails YouIn many places, the cocktail hour is an honored – even sacred – tradition. And in few places is that more true than New Orleans. On this week's show, we explore the fascinating evolution of cocktail culture in the Big Easy – its past, present and future.
We begin with craft cocktail master Neal Bodenheimer. Neal, who opened Freret Street bar Cure in 2009, traces the city's long love affair with concocted libations in his James Beard-nominated book, Cure: New Orleans Drinks And How To Mix 'Em.
Next, we swing over to Gravier Street to join flavorist Christa Cotton on a tour of her El Gua...2024-04-0650 min
Big Easy IdeasS4: EP3 | Scaling a Consumer Packed Good (CPG) Startup From the SouthIn this episode, a panel of founders will discuss the unique challenges and opportunities of scaling consumer packaged goods (CPG) businesses in the southern United States. They will share insights and strategies from their own experiences and share their perspectives on the realities of building and growing a CPG brand in the New Orleans, as well as practical advice for navigating the region's market dynamics and business landscape.Speakers: Aaron Gailmor, Brass RootsRich Simmerman, CeresJon Renthrope, Cajun Fire BrewingChrista Cotton, El Guapo Bitters -- Moderator2023-10-1526 min
Biz TalksEpisode 151: ‘Sweet Success’ for N.O.-Based Maker of Bitters, Syrups and MixersEl Guapo CEO Christa Cotton continues to build out and scale up her company’s Gravier Street headquarters as three of her products hit the shelves of a national supermarket chain. In this week's episode, she talks about the success of her young enterprise — which makes cocktail bitters, syrups and mixers — and her love of the city that inspired it.2023-05-1633 minLouisiana EatsLouisiana Eats: A Cure For What Ails YouIn many places, the cocktail hour is an honored – even sacred – tradition. And in few places is that more true than New Orleans. On this week's show, we explore the fascinating evolution of cocktail culture in the Big Easy – its past, present and future.
We begin with craft cocktail master Neal Bodenheimer. Neal, who opened Freret Street bar Cure in 2009, traces the city's long love affair with concocted libations in his James Beard-nominated book, Cure: New Orleans Drinks And How To Mix 'Em.
Next, we swing over to Gravier Street to join flavorist Christa Cotton on a tour of her El Gua...2023-05-0650 min
Harbert PodcastSweet times in the bitters business: Christa CottonChrista Cotton, CEO of El Guapo, caught the entrepreneurial bug early from her family’s business endeavors. Her company’s bitters are sold across the country, but because they are non-alcoholic, she can distribute them without having to deal with varying state alcohol laws. That’s a key ingredient in her recipe for success.2023-01-1736 min
Making It WorkMy First Year: What I Did WrongWe all make mistakes. And making mistakes can be frustrating, even if we all know, deep down, that’s the best way to learn. But when you’ve raised the stakes and invested all of your time, energy and money into a brand new business, that frustration can turn into disaster and failure. The question is, at what point does a mistake go from 'vital life lesson' to 'end of the road'? In Season 3, Episode 9 of Making It Work, we speak to Jacquelyn Rodgers of Greentop Gifts, Christa Cotton of El Guapo Bitters, Logan LaMance of Kanga Cool...2022-10-2027 min
Making It WorkGoodbye Healthcare: When is it Time to Finally Quit Your Job?We’ve all thought about quitting our jobs. Some may have even fantasized about it. But while most of us are waiting for that lottery payout before we march into our boss’s office, entrepreneurs will have to bite the bullet at some point. The burning question is: when? In Season 3, Episode 8 of Making It Work, we speak to Graham Veysey and Fisk Biggar of Graham+Fisk's Wine-In-A-Can, Christa Cotton of El Guapo Bitters, Dana Donofree of AnaOno and Ana Van Pelt and Kirsten Colter of Niche Snowboards. So how do you know when...2022-10-0623 min
Making It WorkMy Way or the Highway: Do Entrepreneurs Have a Problem with Micromanagement?Small business owners can have a big problem with micromanagement. But one person’s toxic work culture can be another’s collaborative approach, and when you own your own business, striving for perfection can mean you’re a stickler for a tried-and-tested method. So is micromanagement even a bad thing? In Season 3, Episode 7 of Making It Work, we speak to Stephanie Duncan of Harmony Harvest Farm, Chait Razdan of Care+Wear, Logan LaMance of Kanga Coolers and Christa Cotton of El Guapo Bitters. So why do so many entrepreneurs turn into micromanagers? And what can you do...2022-09-2219 min
Making It WorkContent is King: Is SEO Really Worth Your Time?SEO is the holy grail of online marketing. But optimizing your content to rank higher on Google can be easier said than done, especially if you're an entrepreneur who's strapped for time and strapped for cash. Let's see how these business owners create content that reflects their brand story, and how you can do the same – on a budget. In Episode 5, Season 3 of Making It Work, we speak to Christa Cotton of El Guapo Bitters, Graham Veysey and Fisk Biggar of Graham+Fisk's Wine-In-A-Can, Jacquelyn Rodgers of Greentop Gifts and Logan LaMance of Kanga Coolers. 2022-08-1136 min
Making It WorkChoke Point: How Entrepreneurs are Handling the Supply Chain CrisisIn a 'next day delivery world' we're used to getting the products we buy, fast. But what does this mean for the entrepreneurs who make them? In pursuit of high quality goods and that rapid last mile, small businesses are enduring piles of paperwork, material shortages and longer lead times than ever. And that was before the pandemic. In Season 3 Episode 2 of Making It Work we speak to Stephanie Duncan of Harmony Harvest Farm, Christa Cotton of El Guapo Bitters, Jacquelyn Rodgers of Greentop Gifts and Logan LaMance of Kanga Coolers. So will the supply...2022-06-3035 min
Making It WorkCan You Start Monday? How to Hire Good PeopleWhen it comes to recruitment, entrepreneurs are now culture vultures. Interview questions used to be limited to past experience, salary expectations and your biggest weakness. Now interviewees are expected to bone up on the company culture and commit to embracing its mission and values. But in a tight labor market, does this still make sense? In Season 3 Episode 1 of Making It Work we speak to Stephanie Duncan of Harmony Harvest Farm, Christa Cotton of El Guapo Bitters, Jacquelyn Rodgers of Greentop Gifts and Chait Razdan of Care+Wear. So how do you make sure you...2022-06-1632 min
Startup HustleThe Truth About Being First to MarketIn this episode of Startup Hustle, Andrew Morgans and Christa Cotton, CEO of El Guapo Bitters talk about the excitement and the hardships that come along with being the first company to market in a new industry.
Find Startup Hustle Everywhere:
https://gigb.co/l/YEh5
This episode is sponsored by Full Scale:
https://fullscale.io/
Learn more about El Guapo Bitters:
www.elguapobitters.com
Learn more about Marknology:
https://www.marknology.com/
2022-05-3145 min
Louisiana EatsLouisiana Eats: Restaurants To RetailHow does a recipe become a retail offering? On this week's show, we track the path of great dishes and drinks from restaurant to retail. We begin with the Bayou State's spiciest new business, Louisiana Pepper Exchange. Founder and CEO Chris White tells the story of how a particular engineering feat of his led him to launch the new company.
Then, we visit with research and development chef Ross Robertson, who is often tasked with turning a restaurant's signature drink or dish into a retail commodity. That's a dream that Warren Chapoton, founder of Juan's Flying Burrito, is currently pursuing...2022-05-1449 min
Louisiana EatsLouisiana Eats: Restaurants To RetailHow does a recipe become a retail offering? On this week's show, we track the path of great dishes and drinks from restaurant to retail. We begin with the Bayou State's spiciest new business, Louisiana Pepper Exchange. Founder and CEO Chris White tells the story of how a particular engineering feat of his led him to launch the new company.
Then, we visit with research and development chef Ross Robertson, who is often tasked with turning a restaurant's signature drink or dish into a retail commodity. That's a dream that Warren Chapoton, founder of Juan's Flying Burrito, is currently pursuing...2021-11-1300 min
Tunes from Turtle IslandTunes from Turtle Island S02E37This show has, Hiphop, Folk, Latin, Country, Spoken Word an episode of the Native Roots of Jazz on Mildred Bailey, and more. Brought to you by Turtle Island Radio and Pantheon Podcasts. Please, during this difficult time when artists can not play to live audiences, if you like the music you hear, go out and buy some of it. :) Tracks on this week's show are:
Reyna Tropical - Luna
Joey Nowyuk - Here to Stay (Maanipugut)
Mandee Rae - Free
Elemantra - To Know Better
TheRa11n - Swing My Way
Nick The Native - High Waisted Jeans
...2021-09-031h 00
The Wealth Edit PodcastWealth Edit: Christa Cotton of "El Guapo Bitters" talks about the hustle that's involved in being a female entrepreneurOn this episode, we talk with Christa Cotton, Founder and CEO of El Guapo Bitters. Cotton’s entrepreneurial spirit comes from her upbringing, as she joined her father’s business while a student at Auburn University. Post-grad, Cotton moved to New Orleans, eventually starting the New Orleans Beverage Group and acquiring the El Guapo trademark. As CEO, Cotton leads overall business strategy, is the brand’s social media manager, and makes a killer cocktail.
Cotton details her experience in a traditionally “men’s business,” and explains how being a woman in business has opened up doors for her. Christa...2020-10-2229 min
Heritage Radio Network On TourChrista Cotton at Charleston Wine + Food 2020Friend of the network, Christa Cotton of El Guapo Bitters sat down with Hannah Fordin and Kat Johnson to discuss her New Orleans based company. Cotton shared insights into expanding production, growing distribution, and building a narrative on social media that tells the real story of owning a small business. HRN On Tour is powered by Simplecast.
2020-03-1014 min
Heritage Radio Network On TourThe Business of Making Good Food at Good Food Mercantile SF 2019This episode of HRN On Tour brings you four conversations from the Good Food Mercantile in San Francisco.
First up, Sas Stewart of Stonecutter Spirits talks to Luke Schmueker of Shacksbury Cider about producing delicious beverages, opening tasting rooms, and building brands in Vermont. Then, two bitters experts – Christa Cotton of El Guapo Bitters and Raymond Snead of Cocktailpunk – talk about the inspiration behind their businesses' names, how to navigate expansion (including securing bank loans), and their Good Food Award-winning flavors.
Elias and Michelle Cairo dive into the nitty-gritty of building their restaurant and charcuterie comp...2019-01-2446 min
Heritage Radio Network On TourChrista Cotton at Slow Food NationsChrista Cotton is the owner of El Guapo Bitters in New Orleans. She stopped by the HRN tent at Slow Food Nations with her dog, Winston, to talk about the history of El Guapo and share how her team's getting ready for the upcoming Tales of the Cocktail.
Prohibition era cocktail ingredients made by hand with love in New Orleans, Louisiana. Originally founded by a local bartender at a popular upscale (but since shuttered) restaurant in the French Quarter, El Guapo began commercial production in 2014. All ingredients are locally sourced and traceable to the farm level, or...2018-07-1509 min
It's New Orleans: Out to LunchBitter Nature - Out to Lunch - It's New OrleansFor nearly 200 of our 300 year history, New Orleans has laid claim to being the birthplace of the cocktail. Whether or not that is strictly true, the cocktail is still a New Orleans icon. A company called New Orleans Beverage Group is helping to keep that tradition alive, and to update it, with their products, El Guapo Bitters, and cocktail syrups. The CEO of the New Orleans Beverage Group, Christa Cotton, joins Peter Ricchiuti on this edition of Out to Lunch. Back in the days before air conditioning, at the end of a hot day in New Orleans, all you could...2018-06-2122 min
Spartacus Roosevelt PodcastSpartacus Roosevelt Podcast, Show Number 07.70.1: Requiem for a dead iPod."The Three Pockets" by Reigns from Styne Vallis; "Central and Remote" by Grizzly Bear from Yellow House; "Pig Destroyer Destroyer" by Drumcorps from Grist; Tiding Up, Getting Out" by Christa Pfangen from Watch Me Getting Back the End; "Five Suns (Part 5)" by Guapo from Five Suns; "New Delire" by Serge Gainsborg from Sitar Beat, Volume 1; "Smash and Grab" by People Like Us from Recyclopedia Britannica; "Running Behind Butterflies" by Purple Confusion from The Sound of the Atom Splitting; "How Doth the Little Crocodile" by Randy Greif from Alice; "The Universe" by Do Make Say Think from You, Youre A History...2007-03-2300 min