In this episode of This Mother Means Business, I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with Mara Smith—founder of Inspiro Tequila, former corporate lawyer, mom of three, and all-around powerhouse.

What makes Mara’s story so inspiring isn’t just that she launched a product-based business from the ground up (in a highly regulated industry, no less). It’s that she did it after spending over 16 years out of the traditional workforce, raising her kids and running her household. She’s living proof that it's never too late to pivot, start something new, or create a brand that reflects who you are—right now.

 

Mara started her career as a lawyer at a top Chicago firm. But as she began thinking about starting a family, she realized there were no role models for women doing both. No female partners. No roadmap. So, she made her first pivot—into corporate strategy at McDonald’s. But soon after, she was put on emergency bed rest during her twin pregnancy, and eventually made the choice to stay home full-time.

Fast forward 16 years, one more child, and a whole lot of ideas brewing—and Mara re-entered the workforce by launching Inspiro Tequila.

And not just any tequila. She created a clean, additive-free spirit made by women for women, in an industry where women are seriously underrepresented.

 

Let’s not forget—Mara founded Inspiro in February 2020. Yep, right before the world shut down.

With international travel restrictions and her entire family suddenly at home, she had to get creative. She took courses from the official tequila governing body in Mexico. She researched bottle design, sourcing, and distillation—all remotely. She even found a female master distiller through a book she read and connected with her via Zoom.

Despite the chaos, Mara pushed forward. Her first official tasting in Mexico didn’t happen until May 2021, and she launched online just a few months later.

 

One of my favorite parts of this conversation was Mara’s honest reflection on the power of community—and how she built hers from scratch.

When she started, she had no business network. So she took online courses, followed founders on LinkedIn, and cold-messaged people she admired (including someone who worked with Patrón!). She didn’t lead with “Can I pick your brain?” Instead, she showed she had done her research and came with specific, thoughtful questions.

Her advice? Be genuine. Be intentional. And always follow up.

 

We also dove into the emotional side of starting something new as a mom. Mara shared the very real mom guilt that came up when she began stepping away from the household role her family was used to.

Her reminder? You can’t do it all, and you don’t have to. She uses the “A, B, C” rule: she’ll show up for the A-tier activities, try to make the Bs, and skip the Cs without guilt. We love a good boundaries moment.

She’s not just building a business—she’s modeling a new kind of motherhood for her kids, where it's okay for moms to follow their dreams, too.

 

Mara’s story is a reminder that your experience—yes, even the invisible skills you’ve gained as a mom—counts. Whether you’re looking to build a product-based business, return to the workforce, or completely reinvent yourself, Mara’s advice is simple:

“It’s never too late to start. Moms make incredible leaders and founders. We just need to start giving ourselves credit for it.”