Laura Johnson's story isn't defined by sheer luck, grueling perseverance, or overnight success—yet. At 25, much of her journey remains unwritten.
Johnson faced an industry reluctant to offer entry points or clear paths forward. Her tale is one of refusing to abandon her passion, spending three years turning it into reality.
Many hold a vivid memory of discovering their calling. Johnson has a photo: an 18-year-old outside Havana Club distillery in Cuba, on a father-daughter trip before college. "I'm just radiant," she says. "It was the first time I encountered the process and art of distillation."
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This tangible reminder hangs near her office at You & Yours Distilling Co., the downtown San Diego distillery she launched in March 2017.
PHOTOGRAPHY LINDSEY MARIE
Raised in suburban Dallas by "very relaxed parents," Johnson visited Cuba illegally for Americans at the time. Her family normalized alcohol respectfully—small wine glasses or cocktail sips. "I grew up with a healthy, respectful relationship with alcohol," she recalls.
High school parties meant cheap beer for most, but Johnson raided cabinets: "Meanwhile, I'm like, 'Let's make a cocktail!'" she laughs.
At the University of San Diego studying international business and economics, the Havana memory persisted. She visited more distilleries, joined the Wine and Spirit Education Trust program, infused liquors in her apartment, and became the go-to for big-batch cocktails.
"Whenever there was a party, my friends were like, 'Laura, bring cocktails.' That was my thing."
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Post-graduation, societal scripts ended. Her spirits passion had deepened; her degree could lead to finance, funding the hobby. But was it just a hobby?
Havana Club's maestro del ron cubano requires 15 years' training. Johnson's spark demanded more. How to break in? In 2014, she had no answers.
She crafted her own path: "I created my own distillery training plan." First, a week-long intensive at Dry Fly Distilling in Spokane, Washington—hands-on in owning, operating, and scaling.
For a year, she traveled, balancing craft and production. "I immersed myself: courses, workshops, master classes, apprenticeships—anything I could find."
PHOTOGRAPHY LINDSEY MARIE
Back in San Diego, entry-level jobs at local distilleries rejected her. "You don't picture me as a production or distillation assistant," she notes. "It's male-dominated."
Facing reality, safe options beckoned. Instead: "I can write a business plan and fundraise." She built a meticulous plan, consulting online for a Canadian financial analyst via weekly Skype calls.
At Louisville's "Moonshine University," she networked strategically. Don Rodgers, ex-Jim Beam controller with 34 years' experience, became her consultant after reviewing her detailed plan.
His credibility secured funding fast. Rodgers quipped: "I don't know if it'd work in Kentucky, but California? Yes."
You & Yours became California's first urban distillery—downtown, public-facing, unlike LA or SF concepts. Signature spirits: Y&Y Vodka (potatoes, corn, California grapes, triple-distilled); Sunday Gin ("fresh, juicy, bright," SoCal-inspired).
"Gin and distillation captivated me simultaneously," she says. No mere "artisanal" hype—fundamentals are non-negotiable. She wants visitors learning, connecting, relaxing.
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"When you drink our spirits or visit, I hope you learn about distillation, fermentation—or just each other."
Three years from idea to opening: nonstop work. Now, she oversees operations, products, R&D—with one full-time employee.
It took risk, preparation, networking, luck. But pursuing passion reframes it: Why risk when it's your calling? Authentic connections follow.
Last July, production began. Accolades followed: San Diego Magazine's Top Local Spirit; Food & Wine's must-visit; Sunset's top 14 Western distilleries; Zagat's hippest bar; Eater's best, with Johnson as Young Gun semifinalist; SuperCall praised their Instagram.
Spirits aren't her hobby—they're her life's work.
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This article originally appeared in the December 2017 issue of SUCCESS magazine.
