Meet Leticia Fernández de Mesa | CEO & Founder

We had the good fortune of connecting with Leticia Fernández de Mesa and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Leticia, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
Dreaming big. When we started this journey, we did not limit ourselves to the standards of the spirits industry. We wanted to turn sipping into an experience. UNA is a true distillation of passion and perseverance, finding a place in the market where drink enthusiasts can take in beauty. What if we made something unique where you can savor beauty? We were relentless and determined to bring a floral bouquet to life in a whole new way. We infuse begonia flowers from California, Florida grown orange blossoms and Madagascar vanilla flowers. We believe that people are looking for authenticity, uniqueness and beauty in everyday life. We live in an image-driven, crowded and fast paced world. Our goal with UNA is to take people away from that for a minute, pause, immerse themselves in the aromas and tastes of the flowers that surround us every day. If we are able to sparkle and dazzle someone’s senses for a moment, then we have been successful. So much love goes into UNA that I feel like customers can sense it and have become a part of the journey. Our place in the spirits industry wouldn’t have been possible without UNA´s team/family, constantly working to bring the brand alive with the constant principle of no boundaries allowed.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Sipping UNA is an unmatched experience. The beauty and aromas of edible flowers that are infused in every bottle is what sets UNA apart from the rest.

It has not been an easy journey, but the key is learning to persevere and never giving up. I focus on the wins and use the challenges as opportunities to learn and grow. I face each day with patience and unwavering determination.

I also know the importance of surrounding myself with the best of the best – people who believe in me and share my vision. UNA Vodka’s success is a testament to the strength of our team. As a leader, I understand the importance of recognizing my limitations and entrusting others with their areas of expertise. It is the only way collectively to achieve our common goal at UNA.

UNA Vodka is a flower arrangement in liquid form that takes us to idyllic landscapes, intimate places, it gives us a way to admire nature, it’s a pure celebration of beauty in each sip. From the liquid to its packaging, UNA is the liquid shape of beauty.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I absolutely love Miami, how it changes every day, and the new people you can meet around the corner. This itself is an experience. It’s not called the Magic City for nothing. My one-week agenda would take my guests through Alapattah, the Design District, Wynwood, Coral Gables, South Beach and Coconut Grove. Miami is a blank canvas and if you are in the mood to entice your senses with amazing art collections, I would start by visiting The Rubell Museum in Allapattah, one of my favorite contemporary art collections. Adjacent to the museum is a great Spanish restaurant on the patio called Leku that makes the visit a ten! As a native of Spain, when I am craving Spanish food, that’s my go-to place. Don’t miss Superblue right across the street to experience something revolutionary in the art world. As someone who began her career in the contemporary art world, I would also recommend the ICA in the Design District; it has the most amazing exhibitions. I would also visit the De La Cruz Collection and grab lunch and a cocktail by mixologist Chris Rolón at Vista in Upper Buenavista and stroll around the shops and boutiques to enjoy friendly conversations and magical encounters, head down towards Aubi & Ramsa and enjoy a delicious Strawberry & Rosé sorbet to cool off among many more flavors of their boutique +21 ice cream offer.
To get my guests energized, we would head over to Wynwood and enjoy the up-and-coming street art in the beautiful Wynwood Walls and have dinner on the patio of Doya for some delicious Greek plates that are perfect for sharing among friends. After dinner, head over to listen and dance to the best beats in town at Dante´s Hifi.
On another day in the 305, we would head over to Brickell to enjoy a delicious platter of fresh oysters at The River Oyster. It’s a pure delight to pair with a chilled glass of Albariño and finish with their coconut cake… just delish! After getting “oyster-charged,” we would take a stroll to Downtown, visit the Yayoi Kusama exhibition at the PAMM and stroll around the sculpture garden with incredible views. The PAMM also has an incredible gift shop where you can find some special gifts to take home. To top off the day, we would head over to the Old Post Office and Courthouse of Miami, where I have incredible drinks at my favorite bar in Miami, The Roystone Bar, a speakeasy where David Velasquez makes magic in the mirrored, art decó bar. Beauty at its best.
The visit would not be complete without enjoying Miami Beach and heading to the SOHO House to relax and recharge, have a light lunch and then, after a wonderful shower and a beauty treatment at Cowshed, head out for a nice walk along the beach and have a wonderful dinner at Queen where you will feel the glam and neon magic of the city.

It depends on our moods, but another magical evening if we are in the mood for a jazzy night, then a visit to The Globe in Coral Gables after getting a drink at Vinya´s bar is a must.

And last but not least, a neighborhood I hold near and dear to my heart is Coconut Grove, where I live and start each of my days. Just walking along Main Highway with all the little shops and restaurants, it’s always alive and people are hopping from one place to another. This is where I feel closer to my native Spain. You can enjoy a delicious brunch in Greenstreet Café and have a beautiful dinner at Amal on their rooftop terrace with some delicious Lebanese food and gorgeous drinks. Beautiful parks and paths to discover. I would also recommend staying at the Mayfair House Hotel and meeting friends for happy hour on the terrace, Sip Sip.

Whenever I need some nature, although Coconut Grove´s flora is absolutely stunning, I head over to The Fairchild Gardens to cool off and walk along their different nature spaces. You can even travel to the Amazonia and walk along a Butterfly path. Just incredible, like every corner of Miami.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My family, they are the ones I fight for every day. Without them, I wouldn’t be able to overcome the daily challenges that come with being a small business owner. They are my safety net and have given me the freedom of expressing my own true self without judgment. When I say my family, I include my closest friends that believe in, encourage, support and enjoy this journey called life because UNA is my life. It has become an entity of itself, where all my life experiences, learnings and people I love have come together. UNA is more than a vodka, it is the result of my failures and successes. The learning process was long and challenging but worth it. I am a lover of art and music; the two fuel my soul. An organization near and dear to my heart is The Playing For Change Foundation, which uses music as a tool for education and social change. They have impacted more than 40,000 lives since 2007. They bring joy and opportunities to a huge community of marginalized youth under the belief that music has the power to connect people regardless of their differences.

Website: https://unavodka.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unavodka/