Interview With Fern McCoy, Founder of Mockingbird Spirit - Career

If you’ve been trying your hand at Sober October this month, then you may well have come across Mockingbird Spirit. Developed by 30-year-old, first time, female founder Fern McCoy during the Covid-19 lockdown, this is the latest alcohol-free drink you need on your shelf. Over the course of 7 months of rigorous tasting, testing and evolution, Fern has created the first Tequila inspired spirit that’s made with authentic Blue Weber Agave, straight from Mexico.  

Based in Bristol, United Kingdom, Mockingbird Spirit has a hero ingredient which helps the body manage stress and anxiety, Ashwagandha. This medicinal herb can lower cortisol levels and boost energy, leaving you feeling productive and creative. It’s with this in mind that this ‘alcoternative’ has become so popular - bidding adieu to the hangover and bonjour to a sober life. As Fern so brilliantly coins it, ‘all the margaritas with none of the migraines.’

I was able to have a chat to Fern about starting her business during lockdown, why she went for an alcohol-free tequila and how her life has changed since launching the brand.

Why did you originally start Mockingbird Spirit?

I was working as a Brand Manager in the alcohol sector but due to my personal situation it didn’t quite align entirely with my own interests. It was a little bit of a pipe dream for a long time to create my own AF spirit, but I was held back because of lack of time and energy to dedicate to making it a reality. Though, when COVID-19 hit, my usual work was significantly reduced meaning my ‘free time’ increased. Instead of completing Netflix, I decided to crack on with the passion project. 

What was the reason for creating an alcohol-free tequila?

I wanted to create a unique product, that brings a sense of inclusivity to drinkers and non-drinkers alike. Tequila was my personal favourite spirit, partly due to my Southern Californian heritage and an upbringing that consisted of lots of Mexican food, drink and culture. I kept noticing it didn’t have an alcohol free alternative yet though. I thought everyone deserves to have all the margaritas with none of the migraines, whether you’re cutting back, cutting out, pregnant, driving or just wanting to sample something a little bit different. I wanted Mockingbird Spirit to tick some boxes that had been left unticked.

Which other women inspire you?

Ooh SO MANY! Some famous faces I look up to though include Chelsea Handler, even though she’s probably best known for her comedy (which I’m obsessed with), she’s also a great and admirable businesswoman. I love AOC, U.S. Representative for New York's 14th congressional district, because she is young, passionate and fearless. Lastly, the icon, Frida Kahlo, for her strength and creativity- I keep a lot of her quotes dotted around the office, a personal favourite is ‘’At the end of the day, we can endure much more than we think we can. Nothing is absolute. Everything changes, everything moves, everything revolves, everything flies and goes away.’’ I need reminding of that more often than I care to admit. 

What has been your career highlight to date?

When I was developing Mockingbird Spirit, it was a little bit of a race against time. I was particularly keen to be the first alcohol free, tequila inspired, agave-based spirit. It seemed like a pretty lofty goal, but it kept me really focused and made sure I never wasted even a second of time. When I did manage to launch, after a pretty rough few months of the pandemic, I would consider that a highlight. Like they say, always aim for the moon, if you miss, you'll land among the stars…. But sometimes you might even manage to hit the moon. Okay, that last part I added. 

What’s been the hardest part of starting a business during lockdown?

Loneliness. I always thought that if I were to develop a product or launch a brand that it could be more of a collaborative effort but because of lockdown it was so difficult to get feedback or share the ideas with others. I’m a firm believer in ‘it takes a village’ and I wish I’d have had a bit more access to my village, physically, to ask for help, feedback and advice. 

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received and what advice would you give other women looking to start their own business?

Progress not perfection. By nature, I am a massive perfectionist so trying to let go of this idea of something being perfect has been extremely valuable. I would love to pass on the same advice to any other women looking to start their own business. Even when something doesn’t seem to be going the exact way you think it should be going at that time, trust that it is. Everything is happening in the right way it should be at the right time. As long as you are making even incremental progress, you’re on the right path.  

How has your life changed since you launched?

It has completely and utterly changed in every sense of the word. My life pre-Mockingbird Spirit was completely dictated by other people. I now have autonomy over how I want my career to go. I mean, I no longer have evenings or weekends (ha!), but I do have the control and choice over how successful I want to be. It’s just now down to working hard, demonstrating grit and pushing forward at the pace I want to see the business grow. I’ve found my drive and purpose which has really helped my confidence too. 

What do you do to combat stress?

This might sound a little bit counterintuitive, but when I need to combat stress, I lean into it. I try not to ever distract myself from what is stressing me out, I prefer to explore it and decide what parts of the stress I’m experiencing are stopping me from relaxing and once I’ve recognised them it’s easier to move on from them. It goes back to a famous prayer written by the American theologian Reinhold Niebuhr, which is about granting yourself the serenity to accept the things you cannot change, the courage to change the things you can and the wisdom to know the difference. 

What are the future plans for Mockingbird?

Plans are a funny thing right now, constantly changing. However, the dream is, to create more ‘Alcoternatives’ to compliment the current offering. I’d like to make the perfect marg mixer and potentially another iteration of Mockingbird Spirit that would lend itself to even more Mexican style mocktails. I’m also on the lookout for a charity to partner with and to start giving back to causes that are dear to me. The Mockingbird Spirit ethos is to help not inhibit so I’m looking at areas in which I can do exactly that. 

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Launched in August their drinks are now available in 5cl and 50cl bottles via their own website www.mockingbirdspirit.com , The Alcohol Free Co, Master of Malt and Amazon. Follow them on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for more updates.