We are so excited to bring you our first #MeetOurMembers. Today we are featuring KCLDEI member, Louisa Schulteis, a 16-year veteran in the Wine & Spirits industry. Read on to learn a little more about Louisa!

I was born in Naples, Florida, grew up in Fort Worth, Texas, then graduated from Baylor University in 2004. I then moved to Austin, Texas where I began my career in the food and beverage industry. I spent seven years on the distributor side in Austin, first at Brown Distributing selling mainly beer and then at Republic National Distributing selling spirits. I moved to the supplier side and launched Dripping Springs Vodka in Houston and Dallas/Fort Worth, then moved to their sister company, Empresario Brands as their Regional Sales Manager.

I met my husband in Fort Worth in 2014. We got married in 2016 and we had our daughter in 2018! We then decided her life would be better if she grew up around family, so we decided to come back to Jon’s hometown of Overland Park/Kansas City in 2019. I took a position with Lenexa-based – Union Horse Distilling Co. as their sales rep and helped them throughout the beginning of the pandemic.

At the start of 2021, I accepted my current role of State Manager, Kansas and Missouri for Milestone Brands. Our largest known products are Empress Gin, Dulce Vida Tequila and Campo Bravo tequila. My company is based out of Austin, Texas and we are employee owned! I’m proud to be able to represent all of my wonderful brands throughout Kansas and Missouri.

I have SO many, but if I had to choose my current favorite, that is a breeze to make at home it would be an Empress and tonic.

My dear friend Jane Zieha originally introduced me to LDEI KC. I have thoroughly enjoyed the relationships I’ve made so far. Please feel free to reach out if you’d like to sample any of my products, are in need of bottles for a gift basket for a fundraiser or would be interested in carrying my products at any of your establishments!