On Personal Purpose: A Note from Co-Founder Ash Eliot
Throughout my life, I’ve found solace and inspiration in spaces like bars, coffee shops, and music venues—places that have always felt like home. These spaces weren’t just places to grab a drink or catch a live show; they were opportunities for connection, collaboration, and exploration. I’ve witnessed firsthand the transformative power of these environments, where people from all over connect, share stories, exchange ideas, and make lasting memories.
However, as a woman in male-dominated fields like music and beer, I’ve often encountered the harsher realities of these industries. Discrimination, harassment, and moments of isolation became unwelcome reminders that these spaces—despite their potential for unity—were not always as inclusive or safe as I’d hoped. From dismissive comments to overt acts of harassment, these experiences underscored the deep-rooted issues of inequality and exclusion that persist. My time in bars, behind the scenes at music events, and within the beer and alcohol industries revealed just how much work remains to create truly welcoming environments for all.
For these moments of connection and collaboration to truly thrive, it’s essential that venues, brands, and organizations create safe, inclusive environments where everyone feels welcome. With my background in both music and hospitality, I saw the untapped potential these spaces have to inspire positive change and meaningful community engagement. This realization—born out of my own trials—sparked my passion for social justice, corporate responsibility, and sustainability, particularly within the beverage and hospitality industries.
And so, Pouring On Purpose (POP) was born—a consultancy that embodies the heart of this mission, led by myself and co-founder, Lindsay Malu Kido. Lindsay’s vision, dedication, and tireless advocacy have deepened and strengthened our shared commitment to making a meaningful impact.
Together, we’ve cultivated our expertise in advocacy, nonprofit work, and industry leadership, driven by a shared desire to disrupt and reimagine these industries. Through POP, we’re building a platform that drives change, elevates underrepresented voices, and sparks a shift toward a more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable future for the hospitality and beverage sectors.
This isn’t just a career for us; it’s a calling. Our experiences navigating—and sometimes battling—the challenges within these industries have made our commitment to purposeful action all the more urgent. This is our moment to POP—to pour our energy, our expertise, and our passion into creating lasting change.
What We Do at Pouring On Purpose
At Pouring On Purpose, we specialize in helping companies and brands build equitable, inclusive spaces where diversity is celebrated, and everyone is invited to the table. Our services include:
Forging powerful brand partnerships that amplify social impact and purpose-driven initiatives.
Curating community-driven events that bring people together to engage in meaningful conversations and collaborations.
Providing strategic guidance on DEI, social responsibility, and sustainability, helping brands integrate these values into their core business practices.
We work closely with beverage and hospitality companies to create environments where diverse voices—especially those of women, nonbinary, and LGBTQ+ creators—are not only heard but actively celebrated. We believe that purpose and progress go hand in hand. By embedding purpose into every decision and every interaction, we’re creating ripples of positive change that extend far beyond the glass.
Our Story: Empowering Change from the Inside Out
The story of Pouring On Purpose began when Lindsay and I crossed paths through a shared passion for social justice and advocacy, particularly within the beer and beverage industries. With years of combined experience in nonprofit work, advocacy, and industry leadership, we saw an opportunity to take action, to elevate diverse voices, and to reshape the industry into one that’s more inclusive, more sustainable, and more equitable.
For us, Pouring On Purpose isn’t just about offering services—it’s about challenging an industry that has too often prioritized profit over people. Together, we’ve created a consultancy that empowers brands to do more than just "serve" their customers—we help them create spaces of impact, spaces that inspire change, and spaces that connect people to purpose.
Why Now?
In today’s world, change is not optional—it’s necessary. From the fight for reproductive rights and protections for LGBTQ+ to racial inequity and climate action, the stakes have never been higher. As we continue to face these challenges, it’s clear that industries like beverage and hospitality must step up and be part of the solution. At Pouring On Purpose, we’re ready to help make that change a reality.
Our work is grounded in a simple yet powerful belief: that every pour—whether it’s a drink, a conversation, or an event—has the potential to create a ripple effect that sparks lasting change. So let’s pour with purpose, together.
Join us as we break down barriers, elevate voices, and create a future where every space is truly inclusive, vibrant, and full of purpose. This is our moment to POP.