Bert Beveridge

Early Life

Bert Butler Beveridge II, also known as "Tito", was born in San Antonio, Texas. Growing up, he had a comfortable life and played polo. As a youngster, he aspired to train horses. He attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he studied geology and geophysics. After graduating, he began a career in the oil and gas industry, working in Texas, Venezuela, and Colombia.

Rise to Success

Beveridge's career path took a turn when he started making flavored vodkas as gifts for friends in the early 1990s. He realized that most vodkas on the market lacked quality, leading him to create his own affordable, smooth vodka. In 1995, he founded Tito's Handmade Vodka, and started the company in 1997 with $90,000 borrowed using 19 credit cards. He slept on floors and couches while building his business. Tito's got its first big break by winning the 2001 World Spirits Competition against 72 other vodkas.

Key Business Strategies

Tito's Handmade Vodka differentiates itself by using a pot-still distillation process and a corn base. Beveridge focused on making vodka he liked to drink, prioritizing flavor and smoothness. The company's success is also attributed to its image as a small-batch brand with Texas origins. The company donates the net proceeds from its online store to nonprofits.

Philanthropy

Tito's Handmade Vodka says it donates the net proceeds from its online store to nonprofits.