Meet Tina Karras | Musician and Vodka Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tina Karras and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tina, what is the most important factor behind your success?
The most important factor behind my success and my brand is authenticity. Every part of my story is true and even though it was tough at times, I’m thankful for every experience as it prepared me for the success of my vodka. I grew up in a family owned business and bartended and waitressed while I was in college at UNC-Chapel Hill. Then moving to LA to write music, I worked in hospitality since it gave me enough time and money to pursue music in my free time. Both my music and spirits have intertwined in a way that kept evolving into what I’m doing now: launching my record alongside my Tina’s Vodka. I’ve been a buyer in the liquor industry for over a decade in music venues and festivals. I’ve tasted every brand out there and that’s when I decided to create my own brand to fill the void of an American made, female owned, organic, non-GMO vodka that also tastes great, is clean, and gives back to Planet Earth through regenerative farming. I’m thrilled to spread the word of all of these things with a guitar in my hands.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m a classically trained guitarist and I have a degree in Music from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and I’m very proud that I earned that degree as it was very challenging with all the theory, history, practicing, performances, juries, ensembles, etc., on top of all the other classes. I play all types of guitar but classical is my favorite and it’s pretty much the only way I play now. It’s similar to a piano with the many voices and is a huge influence in how I craft my songs. I love my music and I love writing it but I’ve been rejected more times than I can count! After working with musicians that did have deals and toured, I learned that nothing from the outside will make you whole. Of course I want to share my music and have people enjoy it but you can’t need it. You can’t seek approval from anyone outside of your own conscience and you have to love your creations more than anyone else.. Looking back, I’m so thankful that I am independent and listening to my own voice and can be entrepreneurial with my music the way I am with my vodka. I could dumb down my vodka and sell it for less and use GMO corn, but I could never do that! Say not to GMOs and glyphosate! Same with my music, I could just do what’s popular at the moment but I have to be true to myself and my own inspiration. I say this often, my music and my vodka aren’t for everybody and that’s a great thing. My story is true and authentic and hopefully inspirational to others to look at their life to see how all experiences have and are preparing them for an even greater version of themselves.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If a friend was visiting me in LA, I would first take them to the Griffith Observatory during the day to see how gigantic this city is! It was one of the first places I was taken to when I first visited. Then walk around Griffith Park because it’s gorgeous to have all these trees and wildlife around you. Then off to Mercado for the best tacos and guacamole in the city! You can also get some Tina’s Vodka cocktails there, too. After that, we would hit the beach, either just north of Malibu or my favorite spot in LA is just south of the Venice Pier. but north of the Marina. Tons of free parking and the beach is beautiful and easy to get to. Then I’d take them to Musso and Frank for dinner – the restaurant is 100 years old and has only had 3 head chefs! Growing up in a family owned restaurant and knowing how hard it is to keep a restaurant open and consistent, this is a phenomenal success. The decor, the history, the photos, the waiters, and of course the delicious food are all wonderful. Then after dinner, we go back up the hill to the Griffith Observatory again and see the same overlook at night for a completely different view of the city.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There’s so many! I’ve been very blessed to have had many people help me along my path to owing my own vodka. This shoutout I dedicate to The Roxy Theatre. The Roxy’s been a staple throughout my adult life and almost all my time in Los Angeles. I performed there and was in the booking office waiting to book another show and ended up getting a job in the office, part time while I was still bartending full time. That job evolved into me working with the box office, music management, special events, and really every aspect of a music venue until I became the liquor buyer. I was still performing there and writing and recording the whole time. I’m grateful to the owners that gave me the freedom and the trust to create with music and with the spirits! Because it was the legendary Roxy, all the brands wanted to be there, so I got to meet every brand in beer, wine, and spirits and put together great activations, events, and menus. I attended countless tastings and saw the craftsmanship, passion, and heart that goes into making a spirit that is very similar to the craftsmanship, passion, and heart that goes into writing music. The Roxy is turning 50 this year and I’m so thankful I got to be a part of its history and it helped me create my own.

Website: tinasvodka.com, tinakarras.com

Instagram: instagram.com/tinasvodka, instagram.com/tinakarras

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-karras-69b429221/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tinasvodka, https://twitter.com/TinaKarras

Facebook: Facebook.com/tinakarras, Facebook.com/tinasvodka

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@tinakarras

Image Credits
Photos taken by Amy Graves, except Tina’s Vodka bottles and menus taken by Tina Karras