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Innovation in the Alcohol Industry: Building a Brand with Nicole Slone, Founder & CEO of Above Board Liqueurs
Revolutionizing Cocktails One No Low Sugar Sip at a Time
Innovation doesn’t always come from reinvention—it comes from seeing what’s missing. In this seminar, we’ll explore how innovation, strategy, and persistence can open doors in even the most established categories of the alcohol business.
Led by Nicole Slone, Founder and CEO of Above Board Liqueurs, this session offers an inside look at building a differentiated brand from the ground up. Nicole will share how she identified an underserved consumer, developed a product to meet that demand, and successfully brought a premium no- and low-sugar liqueur line to market. The conversation will focus on category disruption, product development, and innovation—but will also expand into broader entrepreneurial topics, including R&D, navigating early-stage growth, and turning a clear vision into a scalable business.
The session will conclude with a guided tasting and product walkthrough, highlighting both alcoholic and nonalcoholic offerings and the thoughtful innovation behind each.
Monday, February 9, 2026
6:30pm
Chateau 55
11436 Sorrento Valley Rd ste b-1, San Diego, CA 92121
Limited to 20 attendees - Open to All - Bring a friend!
Cost: $25/member - $30/non-members
Featured Products:
- Above Board Orange Liqueur
- Above Board Coffee Liqueur
- Above Board Cream Liqueur
- Above Board Original Simple Syrup (Nonalcoholic)
About The Speaker:
Nicole Slone is the Founder and CEO of Above Board Liqueurs, a Southern California-based, woman-owned brand leading the charge in the Better For You beverage movement. Above Board is a plant-based sugar-free, gluten-free liqueur line made with Monkfruit and Allulose, featuring Orange Liqueur, Coffee Liqueur, and Cream Liqueur. Nicole created Above Board out of a personal frustration with how limited cocktail options have been for health-conscious people when dining out, and her mission is to help bars and restaurants unlock an untapped revenue stream by offering premium no and low-sugar cocktails that guests are actively asking for
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SAVE THE DATE
March 18: Baja Wines with Mina Penelope
April 20: Venissimo Cheese and Wine Seminar with Rachel deBerardinis
May 28th or 29th: SD Wine Week- Wine Country In The City: featuring San Diego wineries
June 8: Beer 101 Seminar- Matt Akins, Duck Foot Brewing
