Meet Ashley Blankenship | Red Rocks Spirits

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ashley Blankenship and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ashley, as a parent, what do you feel is the most meaningful thing you’ve done for them?
As a parent, I’ve tried to practice what I preach. I want them to work hard with tenacity, always do what’s right and be kind, dream big and take the steps to make those dreams a reality. I know they’re going to learn the most from my actions. I try to always match my actions to what I say.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I never set out to create a spirits brand. Red Rocks Spirits found me at a time when I was unsure about what my future was going to look like. I grew up as a recording artist and songwriter and then became a stay-at-home mom for many years. If you would have told me even 6 months ago I’d be growing a liquor business, I’d have said you were nuts.

Here we are. In only a couple months we’ve created a vodka people love, we’re in around 60 locations in the metro Denver area, and we’re gearing up for some major growth in the near future.

It’s been a whirlwind to say the least. Liquor comes with a ton of laws and regulations. Learning those, creating a great product in Red Rocks Vodka, and navigating the ins and outs of the space is really, really hard. We are thrilled with how far we’ve come in such a short time, but honestly haven’t been able to look up from the hustle yet. It feels like everything we’ve learned over the years from our triumphs as well as our failures has culminated into this venture. It’s very exciting! The biggest lesson we’ve learned so far is how important building relationships is no matter what business you’re in.

There are so many things we want to do. A big part of our plans is philanthropy and giving back to the community in any way we can. That’s one of the most important benefits of this for us. We’re excited to see how this tiny business can make a big impact.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’d take them to a show at Red Rocks, of course! We’d spend the afternoon hiking in the area and taking in the incredible views, then see a show under the iconic stars at Red Rocks just like on our label of Red Rocks Vodka.

We have 3 kids so going out is a real treat and doesn’t happen nearly as often as we’d like. I also can’t have gluten. It’s really important that our spirits are gluten free so I can actually drink them! We have a decked out basement bar for hanging out and experimenting with new concoctions with Red Rocks Vodka. We wanted to create something delicious whether you were out on the town or chilling at home.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Shoutout to my husband, Willis. He’s the most hardworking and supportive guy on this planet. He’s a dreamer with the guts to go after those dreams. I know no matter what, he’s there for me. My sister, Natasha. That girl is my rock! She’s so smart and business savvy and always gives great advice. My brother-in-law, Barry. Without him, Red Rocks Vodka’s label wouldn’t look so badass. He’s an amazing artist!

Website: www.redrocksspirits.com

Instagram: @redrocksspirits

Other: Info@redrocksspirits.com