The tequila craze that’s been gripping the country for the past couple of decades shows no sign of tapering off anytime soon, and in fact, indicators point to an uptick in the consumption of distilled spirits derived from the blue agave plant. And as producers and distributors are experiencing remarkable growth in local and international markets, and the “shot, shot, shot,” chant continues to ring out in college bars and reputable restaurants alike, Black distillers are shifting the tides of tequila consumption.
Mexico is the birthplace of tequila, but U.S. consumers consume considerably more of the agave-based liquor than our neighbors south of the border and more than any other nation in the world, accounting for 80 percent of sales worldwide.
Enter Nayana Ferguson and her husband, Don, both financial experts hailing from the auto industry, who may seem unlikely candidates for spirit assembly and alcohol production, are making a move on the market that has seen 1,270 percent growth in higher-end, premium brands since 2003. The industrious couple tested the waters and are finding remarkable success with their Anteel Tequila brand, named after the Antillean Crested Hummingbird, which symbolizes positive energy. Anteel celebrates its seventh anniversary in August 2025 with continued innovation, particularly in terms of production techniques and new expressions.
Co-founder Nayanna Ferguson – the first black woman in the world to have ownership of and lead a tequila company – explained in an exclusive interview the irony and the journey that sealed her decision to become an entrepreneur and enter the distillery industry after 20 years as an automotive financial analyst.
“The company that I was working for outsourced our finance department, so all of our jobs went to Mexico. I was planning to leave that year anyway, and I was working on an exit strategy, but I like to say they did it for me, because then at least I still got a severance,” she says laughingly. “My husband was VP of Operations at Quicken Loans, which was Rocket Mortgage at that time. He actually left there in 2017, a year before we launched. We had already begun the process of establishing a business.”
After a successful 2018 launch and establishing the brand in Detroit, the Fergusons expanded the brand’s reach and began artisanal production on Atlanta’s southwest side near Hartsfield Airport. Currently, Anteel Tequila is available in 250 locations in the Atlanta metropolitan area.
The business-savvy couple’s timely entry into the market was nothing less than a stroke of genius coupled with some measure of luck. When they launched Antell, several factors were influencing the tequila culture and fueling its rapid rise in popularity making it one of the most requested alcohols in the United States, just behind whiskey and vodka.
In Anteel’s infancy, the overall spirits market experienced a shift towards premium and craft spirits. The Fergusons recognized the trend toward artisanal production methods and the growing preference for quality over quantity, and ultimately, they emerged with a premium that allowed tequila to be seen as a sophisticated sipping spirit, rather than just a drink for shots.
The Detroit-based alcohol emphasizes flavor profiles and showcases an exceptional range of tequila flavors or “expressions.”
“Expressions are the flavors in our portfolio. We have a traditional line, offering a blanco and a reposado, which is aged eight months in charred Jack Daniels barrels. We also have an Anejo as well,” explains Nayanna. “But then we also have an infused line, which includes the world’s only coconut lime Blanco tequila, and the first blood orange blanco tequila,” says Nayanna.
Anteel’s distinguished distilling process gives the tequila a robust flavor, making it a standout among tequilas and a favorite for celebrations and social occasions. Since its inception, the brand has racked up hundreds of awards and is gaining traction as a cultural influencer.
“What’s funny is that the world’s only coconut lime Blanco – our best seller and most awarded – is truly something that no one expects, because it has no added sweeteners or sugars in it,” says Nayanna. “I am a 19-year pancreatic cancer survivor and a 12-year breast cancer survivor. … I like to say that I made a tequila that I can drink because it doesn’t have those sweeteners,” Nayanna explains, adding that the brand’s surprising popularity contradicts traditional U.S. tequilas. Sugars and sweeteners are often used to smooth out the taste of many domestically produced tequilas to suit Americans’ addiction to sugar.
Anteel’s profile of distinctive expressions makes it a favorite for consumers who like to drink tequila straight. But Anteel’s versatility also makes it a go-to for mixologists who enjoy creating flavorsome and tasty cocktails beyond the traditional margarita.
In the spirits world, timing is everything, and as the Fergusons’ focus on quality and awareness of consumers’ interests in innovative drinks Anteel is well-positioned for continued growth in the coming years. Cheers.
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