Take this tree, for example—the melancholic muse behind our brand. I would occasionally drive by it when I worked as a sales rep for a local brewery, and to this day, it resonates with me. It may appear strange, dispirited, and broken. But if you look a little closer, you’ll see it for what it truly is—beautiful, strong, resilient—particularly in the face of adversity and hardship.

I first noticed the tree in the fall when my family was going through an extremely difficult time. My then four-year-old son was diagnosed with cancer. As the harsh winter fell upon us, he was faced with a battle of his own. With the darkness of winter came its own set of challenges, and for some reason, I thought of the split tree, thinking it was dead. It wasn’t until the spring came that I saw it was still alive, and in the same breath of fresh air, my son finished his treatment and finally made it through.

I created Split Tree Cocktail Co. during an unimaginable transition in our lives that urged me to start my own company, be my own boss, and grant myself the autonomy I needed so I could be there for my son during a time he needed me most.

Just like this tree, we all have our own scars and may feel dispirited or discouraged at times, but it’s through the support of the community around us that brings us together and makes us stronger.