What happens when a cocktail educator, brand strategist, and former Bacardi ambassador decides to launch her own product line—in the middle of a global crisis? You get Cheeky Cocktails…and one seriously inspiring journey. April Wachtel didn’t just stumble into entrepreneurship. She tested, pivoted, and reimagined her way into it—learning from failure, navigating trolls, and bottling mixers by hand to meet demand. In this candid conversation, April gets real about what it takes to build a brand from scratch, and why separating your ego from your business is one of the most liberating things you can do. In this episode, April shares: Why her first business wasn’t “it”—and how she knew when to walk away How launching during COVID actually worked in her favor What it really looks like to bootstrap and scale (she’s still her only full-time employee!) The mindset shift that changed everything: market feedback > perfection How one 30-second lime-cutting video exploded to 150K views—and why she’s doubling down on digital Whether you’re pivoting, planning, or just craving a better way to build, this convo will light a fire under you (and maybe your next happy hour). Key Topics: Entrepreneurship during a pandemic Pivots, product testing, and growth mindset Overcoming imposter syndrome and perfectionism Visibility fears, trolls, and social media strategy Building brand credibility with limited resources For 15% off your order from Cheeky Cocktails, use this link: cheekycocktails.co/PENNY15 The discount will apply and show in your cart. Cheers! When’s the last time you did something just for YOU? 🍷✨ Wine Camp 2026 is your chance to escape, sip fabulous local Rieslings, cruise at sunset, laugh around the fire pit, and soak up the magic of New York’s Finger Lakes. 📍 Dates: July 31–August 2, 2026 🏡 Spots are limited, so grab yours now: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/winecamp Wine Camp 2026 is calling. Are you in? Want support growing your business? Book a free Discovery Call with Penny: https://tidycal.com/pennyforyourshots/discovery-call Wine Camp 2026: Join the list or save your spot: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/winecamp Become an Insider for weekly updates, tips, inspiration, and episode extras: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/insider Love cocktails + community? Join the Sipper Club: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/sip Explore all things Penny: coaching, podcast, events, & more: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com Follow Penny on Instagram: @penny4yourshots Or on Facebook: Penny (Kuhlers) Fitzgerald
