Today we’d like to introduce you to Isabella Rosal.
Hi Isabella, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Entrepreneurship is in my DNA. Born and raised in the Philippines, I have always been surrounded by business people: my family, friends, and classmates. I started my first business venture when I was only 10 years old, selling chips to my classmates off the back of my skateboard. Later, when I was a college student, I helped my friends who were business majors sell the product they developed as part of their final project. It was a really cool ID and wallet carrier with a matching lanyard. It was called slinky. I sold them to so many students that the entire floor at my university building was wearing them!
Upon moving to the United States and after a short stint at PwC, I founded TBD, a tea cafe that offered unique drinks made using sustainably-sourced loose tea — in a new country, where I knew no one, right after having my first child. The cafe was voted the best tea cafe in Tampa Bay (TB Best of the Bay) during our 1st year of operations. While at TBD, I jumped on every opportunity to positively impact the community: fundraising for charities, helping fellow entrepreneurs by carrying their items in our store or offering internships to young people by partnering with a local nonprofit. I was recognized for her entrepreneurial efforts by the Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce by winning the 2018 Shining Star of the Year Award.
Born and raised at a rum estate and sugarcane farm in Northern Luzon in the Philippines, I was surrounded by all things rum from an early age. My mother, Chuchi Honrado, spent most of her professional life working as a chemist at that rum estate and later as an advisor to large rum producers and distilleries in the Philippines. So, right after having my second surgery in 2020 and then my second child in 2021, the urge for an entrepreneurial adventure never left. After selling my cafe, I founded 7th Sky Ventures.
Like many entrepreneurs today, I juggle a multitude of roles. I am a CEO, rum educator, wife to my fantastic spouse Jerwin and a mom to Sofia and Alfred. Maintaining balance is difficult, but I would not have it any other way.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Both as an Asian American and a young woman in business, I experienced my share of skepticism and, sometimes, outright discrimination.
For example, once, during the cafe buildout process, a visiting inspector asked where my parents were (assuming they owned the cafe and not me).
As the founder of the Tampa chapter of the Royal Rum Society, my mission is to break the bias and shed light on women in rum culture. While there are so many talented women who work in the industry, as traders or distillery owners or technical advisers like my mother — we never talk about them. Rum making has had a reputation as a male-dominated field since the 1400s. I am the first female on the planet to earn a Master Rummelier status; this is saying something. Being a female rummelier is empowering and challenging at the same time.
How do I handle these challenges? I just keep going. Because the only way to fight prejudice is by flexing your strengths and becoming a success.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
7th Sky is a sustainability-first company; all our products are healthy and straightforward. We offer home fragrance essentials, natural Florida wine and sustainable craft rum for export. We offer a wide range of private-label options to help entrepreneurs launch their own brands or expand their product portfolios.
Our home fragrance sprays are made with the highest quality essential oils and food-grade alcohol. It is a healthier, happier alternative to commercial chemical air fresheners. The alcohol base for the spray is a redistillation of the waste products left from rum production, and the fragrant components are derived from natural essential oils. The packaging is BPA-free and highly recyclable (PET 1), making the product a natural and healthy alternative to commercial air fresheners.
Our portfolio of craft rum and natural wine are proudly produced and sourced here in Florida.
As a licensed importer and exporter of alcohol, we bring innovative products and services to Tampa Bay and at the same time, promote them locally and overseas.
Finally, as a certified Master Rummelier (and the first female Master Rummelier on the planet), I collaborate with distilleries across Florida on creating unique single-barrel rums. Also, I have just launched the Tampa chapter of the Royal Rum Society called Tampa Bay Rum Society, a professional community dedicated to sharing and advancing the knowledge of rum making. In this capacity, i hold rum tasting events to elevate the rum culture in Tampa Bay and advance the knowledge of rum among industry professionals and enthusiasts alike.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Choose your team wisely – be sure to have an accountant and a lawyer; be insured. Read up. Equip yourself with enough knowledge before biting the bullet.
Do not be afraid to ask for help. But, most importantly, learn how to say and when to say “NO.” It comes naturally for new business owners or when we build something fresh to have a very enthusiastic attitude toward everything.
Find a way to achieve that optimal state where you can balance your business interests and wellbeing. Always remember – one life to live.
Contact Info:
- Website: 7thskyventures.com
- Instagram: @the7thskyventures
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/the7thskyventures
- Other (retail): https://7thsky.co
