Tomonotomo: Zero proof spirits made with actual agave (how refreshing)
- KLS
- 17 minutes ago
- 6 min read
For the 213th feature of our "Together Talks" campaign, we collaborated with Tomonotomo and Founder, Amanda Chen.
They created Tomonotomo because everyone deserves authenticity and clean, all natural ingredients. Choosing to skip alcohol shouldn’t mean missing out on flavor, craft or quality. Their approach is more art than science. They don’t call Tomonotomo a spirit “alternative” because it’s made like the real thing. Most “alternatives” are made in a lab using water and flavorings.
They handcraft in Oaxaca using roasted agave, herbs and spices from the area. They traditionally distill in copper stills to honor the history of Mezcal-making and capture the agave plant in all its glory. The result is a spirit that’s clean, smooth and true to its roots. It’s Mezcal minus alcohol.
"Together Talks" feature # 213: Tomonotomo presented by KLS - Your Trusted Shipping Solutions In The USA
What were your concerns to transition to starting your own business? What have you learned since becoming an entrepreneur? What aspect of entrepreneurship do you appreciate the most? What is your why?
Story of how it was created?
I’m originally from Toronto, and for years I worked as a bartender. I loved the craft, the connection, the stories shared over the bar. But when the pandemic hit, that world shut down overnight. Like everyone else, I had to pivot fast. I started teaching virtual cocktail classes, hand-delivering kits, and building a digital business out of my little condo.
And it worked. The business took off. People were excited about Zoom happy hours, cocktail kits, and virtual gatherings. From the outside, I had “made it.” But inside, I felt completely empty. I was alone, shaking cocktails in front of a camera, while everyone else did the same in their own isolation. I realized I had built something successful that didn’t make me happy.
So I made the hardest decision of my life—I walked away from it all.
I sold everything, bought a one-way ticket to Mexico, and decided to start over without knowing what I was looking for. My parents thought I’d lost my mind. Honestly, some days I wondered the same. But I knew I couldn’t keep living a version of success that didn’t feel like mine.
As I traveled through Mexico, I stopped drinking—almost by accident. The world wasn’t in a celebratory mood, and without alcohol, I started seeing things more clearly. Eventually, I landed in Oaxaca, and something in me shifted. I fell in love with the land, the people, and especially the tradition of mezcal—the way it’s made by hand, the reverence for the agave plant, the patience it requires.
That’s where my purpose started to take root.
I didn’t want to make just another product. I wanted to honor that craft—but in a way that aligned with the person I had become. I decided to try something that didn’t exist: a non-alcoholic mezcal made with the same soul, respect, and process as the real thing.
Back in Toronto, I began consulting for non-alcoholic bar programs, sampling every spirit on the market. The industry was growing, but most products lacked character. They didn’t taste real, and as a bartender, I wanted something that could stand proudly in a glass.
So I decided to make it myself. Not because it was easy, but because it mattered.
I sold everything again and returned to Oaxaca to start from zero. It took two years of research and development—two years of learning to distill, sourcing local ingredients, and finding the right people to believe in this crazy idea. Oaxaca isn’t built for fast production. We used copper stills, local agave, and traditional techniques because authenticity mattered more than convenience.
There were days I wanted to give up. Days I questioned if I was out of my depth. But every time I felt doubt creep in, I reminded myself: I didn’t come this far to live halfway.
In March 2024, we launched our Kickstarter to raise $10,000 to buy our first copper still, and in October we brought our first pallet into the US. It was proof that belief multiplies—when you believe in something deeply enough, others start to believe in it too.
What have been the biggest challenges?
Our biggest obstacle was finding agave. We chose Tobalá, one of the rarest varieties in Oaxaca. It’s incredibly special—difficult to cultivate, even harder to source—and most producers weren’t willing to sell. I faced what I now call “agave gatekeeping.” It wasn’t just business; it was cultural, personal, emotional.
There were moments of deep frustration and heartbreak. But the thing about truly believing in something bigger than yourself is that giving up stops being an option. So I stayed. I learned the language, built relationships, and earned trust one conversation at a time.
Eventually, I found my first consistent supplier—a woman-owned mezcal farm. Working together felt like a full-circle moment: two women carving space in a world that wasn’t built for us.
Goals for upcoming year + Next phase of the company?
Our first year focused on direct-to-consumer sales and non-alcoholic bottle shops. It was manageable, steady, and it helped us find our footing.
Now, we’re ready to grow. Our next phase is on-premise sales—getting our bottles behind the bar, where they belong. This product was always meant for bartenders, by bartenders.
We’ve chosen New York City as our first major market, and within the first month, we landed six accounts. The demand is there—people just need to discover it. So now, our mission is awareness. To share our story, our purpose, and our craft with the world.
We’re also expanding our portfolio, developing a tequila-style variation—something softer and sweeter for those who prefer a different flavor profile—and ready-to-drink canned cocktails for more accessibility. Every new product we create carries the same philosophy: care, craftsmanship, and consciousness.
What were your concerns to transition to starting your own business?
Looking back, I realize how much faith it took to start over. Not blind faith, but the kind that comes from deep conviction. Once I decided to build a life that aligned with my values, there was no halfway.
Moving to a new country, not speaking the language, not knowing the system—it tested every ounce of resilience I had. But belief isn’t supposed to be comfortable. It’s supposed to stretch you, to break you open, and rebuild you stronger.
Every challenge—the uncertainty, the isolation, the fear—was worth it. Because each one proved something vital: when you act from purpose, the right people, opportunities, and support always appear.
What have you learned since becoming an entrepreneur?
Being a Canadian running both a Mexican and a U.S. company taught me more about logistics, trade, and patience than I ever imagined. Exporting, importing, navigating bureaucracy—it’s a maze. But every hurdle reminded me that real growth lives on the other side of discomfort.
I learned to trust the process, to delegate, and to let go of control. As a founder, you quickly realize belief alone isn’t enough—you have to pair it with courage, persistence, and humility.
What aspect of entrepreneurship do you appreciate the most?
I love that I get to decide what kind of company this is.
There are advisors, mentors, and experts whose opinions I deeply value—but at the end of the day, I get to lead from my values. I get to choose authenticity over speed, craft over convenience, purpose over profit. That’s the freedom I’ll never take for granted.
What is your why?
When I stopped drinking, I realized how many people felt isolated by that choice. Social connection is so often tied to alcohol. I wanted to change that—to create something that lets people celebrate consciously, without compromise.
This project is for everyone who’s ever felt like they had to explain themselves for choosing differently. For everyone who wants to participate fully, without pretending.
It’s my thank-you to all the people who have learned to stand firm in their values. Because when you believe in something bigger than yourself, you don’t just change your own life—you inspire others to do the same.
Do you have a moment that brings you the most joy?
I’ll never forget the day I watched our first full pallet ship out. It took eight months to reach that milestone. Months of small-batch production, sourcing challenges, and endless paperwork.
Watching that truck pull away, loaded with something I had built from the ground up—it was terrifying and beautiful all at once. I felt pride, fear, and gratitude collide in one moment. It reminded me that everything starts with belief—and that belief, once set in motion, is unstoppable.
Piece of Advice
If you want to build something that lasts, believe in it with everything you have.
There will be times you doubt yourself. Times you lose money, sleep, and patience. But belief is a muscle. The more you use it, the stronger it gets.
Trust yourself enough to take risks, surround yourself with people who share your values, and don’t hesitate to walk away from what doesn’t serve you. Because the longer you wait, the more it costs.
Integrity and self-belief will always outlast fear.
Promo Code
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Community Callout
In Closing
KLS wants to thank Tomonotomo and Founder, Amanda Chen, for today's "Together Talks" feature. Follow along for their journey with their social handles below!