About this episode
Debbie Medina-Gach is the Co-Founder and CEO of Señor Rio Tequila. Raised on the South Side of Chicago, Debbie built a successful career in banking and real estate before a life-changing reunion with her father, Señor Rio, in Mexico after 30 years apart. That emotional moment inspired Debbie and her late husband to launch Señor Rio Tequila, handcrafted from her father’s three-generation, family recipe. With passion and perseverance, Debbie built the brand from scratch and on a shoestring budget—today, Señor Rio Tequila is sold exclusively at Total Wine & More stores nationwide. She is also the author of One Bottle at a Time: A True Love Story – 50 Tequila Craft Cocktails , blending her heartfelt story behind the bottle with creative cocktail recipes. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Debbie founded the nonprofit We Care Crusade, supporting families with children who have special needs. Her inspiring journey has attracted the partnership of actor Joe Mantegna, who joined as co-owner of Señor Rio Tequila. Debbie speaks openly about love, loss, entrepreneurship, and purpose, and loves sharing her story to uplift and inspire others.