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From Pungo Strawberries, to Organic Vodka, to tractor-trailers of oranges and liquor – welcome to the world of Mariah Standing, Virginia Beach's homegrown spirits maven and the woman who helped transform how an entire coastline drinks.

From humble beginnings growing up in Pungo's farmlands to building a beach empire with her husband Mike, Mariah shares the fascinating journey behind the restaurants and Waterman Spirits, Virginia's organic vodka. We dive deep into what makes her strawberry-infused vodka special – the 400 pounds of real berries in each batch and a commitment to authentic ingredients with "no shit in it," setting her premium spirits apart in a crowded market.

We had to uncover the true origin story of Virginia Beach's iconic Orange Crush while we were at it. While Mariah graciously credits Ocean City as the drink's birthplace, she reveals how a chance meeting over a boat sale led to a pilgrimage to meet "King Crush" and ultimately transformed Virginia Beach's drinking culture. The legendary Crush Fest – which once served 11,000 people and required custom-built "OctoCrush" machinery – makes its triumphant return this April after years of absence. YES!

Beyond spirits, we explore the challenges of building and maintaining multiple successful waterfront businesses while raising a family and fighting bureaucratic battles. Mariah offers candid insights into Virginia Beach's development hurdles and her vision for its future, all while reflecting on the entrepreneurial mindset that makes appreciating small wins difficult when you're constantly hungry for growth.

Whether you're a spirits enthusiast, a Virginia Beach local, or someone fascinated by the intersection of passion and entrepreneurship, this episode offers an honest look at what it takes to build something authentic in a world that often settles for artificial flavoring and cheap ingredients. 

Subscribe now and join us for more conversations reshaping how we eat, drink, and experience our communities.

Connect and support Mariah! Here's the links!

https://www.watermanspirits.com/

https://www.watermans.com/

https://www.theshackvb.com/

https://www.chixvb.com/

Welcome to the show! Burnt Hands Perspective

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*The views and opinions on this show are meant for entertainment purposes only. They do not reflect the views of our sponsors. We are not here to babysit your feelings, if you are a true industry pro, you will know that what we say is meant to make you laugh and have a great time. If you don't get that, this is not the podcast for you. You've been warned. Enjoy the ride!