Digital Social Hour: From Homeless to Tequila Mogul | Metta Risdal DSH #1215

Release Date: March 3, 2025

Host: Sean Kelly
Guest: Metta Risdal

1. Metta Risdal’s Inspirational Journey

The episode opens with Metta Risdal sharing his remarkable journey from homelessness in New York City to becoming a successful tequila mogul. Metta recounts his struggle as an undocumented immigrant who faced severe hardships, including living in hostels and relying on the kindness of strangers. His determination to create a better life led him to the entrepreneurial path in the United States, resisting the urge to return to Norway despite its comforts.

"I felt like I had already made that decision that I couldn't move back to Norway, and I really wanted a different lifestyle."
[06:11] - Metta Risdal

2. Building uni Tequila: A Labor of Love

Metta delves into the inception and growth of his tequila brand, uni tequila. He emphasizes the brand’s commitment to quality and uniqueness, highlighting its organic production devoid of pesticides and additives. The tequila is aged for two years using a blend of new and vintage barrels, resulting in a smooth and oaky flavor that stands out in a crowded market.

"It's organic. There's no pesticides. There's no additives. So I would say, like, that's the main difference..."
[01:23] - Metta Risdal

Metta also discusses the strategic design of the uni tequila bottle, inspired by classic checkerboard floors with gold grout, aiming to make it a standout product on any bar.

"I really wanted the design of the bottle to stand out on the bar..."
[03:00] - Metta Risdal

3. Overcoming Market Challenges with Persistence

Launching a tequila brand in a saturated market is no easy feat. Metta shares his relentless efforts to secure distribution in prestigious venues like the Baccarat Hotel and Tiger Woods’ restaurant. His dedication involved numerous attempts, often visiting potential partners twice a month for six months to secure meetings.

"I would go, like, probably like twice a month, even for six months before I even could get a meeting with them."
[04:25] - Metta Risdal

This persistence paid off as uni tequila began gaining recognition despite stiff competition from celebrity-backed brands.

4. Diversifying Success: From Skincare to Real Estate

Before uni tequila, Metta ventured into the skincare industry, successfully selling his skincare company which provided the financial foundation to launch his tequila brand and invest in real estate. Real estate remains a significant hobby and investment for Metta, complementing his entrepreneurial endeavors.

"I had a skincare company I did sell kind of off the recipe of it... then also enough money to invest in real estate, which is really my hobby."
[05:29] - Metta Risdal

5. Balancing Life: Norwegian Roots and American Ambitions

Metta reflects on his Norwegian heritage and the cultural contrasts between Norway and the United States. While Norway offers a wonderful environment, Metta highlights that America presents unparalleled opportunities for entrepreneurs, reinforcing his decision to build his life and business in the U.S.

"Norway is a wonderful country... but if you want to be an entrepreneur, you know, I always felt, like, so left out."
[06:15] - Metta Risdal

6. Personal Passions: Real Estate and Canine Companions

Metta’s passion for real estate is evident as he outlines his investment strategies, focusing on long-term holdings in promising markets like West Palm Beach. Additionally, his deep love for dogs is a recurring theme, illustrating how his pets play a crucial role in his life and decision-making.

"Real estate is like my second thing. It's like tequila and real estate. I love real estate."
[30:51] - Metta Risdal

7. Health-Conscious Choices: Tequila Over Wine

A significant portion of the conversation revolves around health and lifestyle choices, particularly Metta’s preference for tequila over wine. He explains how organic tequila suits his health-conscious lifestyle better, avoiding the grogginess and headaches he associates with wine and champagne.

"Tequila is my favorite too. Tequila and red wine. That's all I drink."
[00:42] - Metta Risdal

"Tequila is actually the healthiest alcohol. I've seen Tai Lopez say that."
[09:40] - Metta Risdal

8. The Importance of Networking and Confidence

Metta and Sean discuss the critical role of networking and building confidence in entrepreneurial success. Metta emphasizes surrounding oneself with like-minded individuals and actively participating in events to foster growth and seize opportunities.

"People are so scared because they always think, oh, they're so above me maybe... That's a lost opportunity."
[24:56] - Metta Risdal

9. Strategic Investments: Crypto and Real Estate

Metta shares insights into his investment strategies, balancing between cryptocurrency and real estate. Despite experiencing ups and downs in the crypto market, his unwavering belief in long-term real estate investments provides stability and steady growth.

"Real estate. If I'm gonna, obviously gonna be holding it for 5, 10 years at least, or even forever."
[26:17] - Metta Risdal

10. Future Endeavors and Expanding Reach

Looking ahead, Metta outlines plans to expand uni tequila’s distribution beyond Florida and New York, now shipping to 45 states. He also mentions upcoming networking events in major cities like Miami, New York, and Las Vegas, aiming to build robust connections and market presence.

"You can buy it online on unitiquila.com... I actually now am able to ship to 45 states."
[34:56] - Metta Risdal

"I have events in every city I go to because I want to build networks in every city."
[32:08] - Metta Risdal

Notable Quotes

• Metta Risdal: "Don't give up. And slowly you'll get there."
  [05:10]

• Metta Risdal: "I keep reminding myself, even with this, like, it takes time. Give it time."
  [05:10]

• Metta Risdal: "I love real estate. So it's... that's where I put the money."
  [30:56]

• Metta Risdal: "Hosts like Ty and other like-minded people... you become the average of five people."
  [24:05]

Conclusion

In this episode of Digital Social Hour, Sean Kelly and Metta Risdal engage in a candid and inspiring conversation that traverses the highs and lows of Metta’s entrepreneurial journey. From overcoming homelessness to establishing a successful tequila brand and making strategic real estate investments, Metta’s story is a testament to resilience, persistence, and the power of networking. His insights on health-conscious choices, the importance of confidence, and the value of long-term investments provide valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs and listeners alike.

For more information on uni tequila and to purchase Metta’s exclusive organic tequila, visit unitiquila.com.

Note: This summary excludes non-content sections such as advertisements, introductions, and outros to maintain focus on the substantive discussions between Sean Kelly and Metta Risdal.