Helena Jose

Get to know the team behind Angel’s Envy, who are passionate about Bourbon and Whiskey in Miami. Meet Dani Espindola and John McConnon, who are the Whiskey Guardians and are dedicated to creating experiences and sharing their knowledge about bourbon.

In an interview, they were asked about their journey in the hospitality business. Dani shared that she started in the industry back in 2005 when she moved to the US from Brazil. Her first job was as a Hostess at an Irish Pub in NYC, where she learned a lot about hospitality, networking, and work ethic. She worked in Irish bars for 11 years in various roles, from hostess to bar manager. In 2013, she moved to Miami Beach and discovered her passion for craft cocktails. In 2018, she decided to focus on learning the craft and left the “Dive Bar” life. She finally got the opportunity to become a Bar Manager in 2020.

John’s journey began when he was young, and he used to visit a local bar in Pinecrest to eat chicken wings. One day, he stumbled upon an opportunity to work there, and he jumped at the chance, despite not being of legal age to work. From that moment on, John found his calling in the industry and has been passionate about it ever since. He considers himself fortunate to have found a career that he loves and is always eager to learn and grow within the industry. He’s inspired by the innovative ideas and people he encounters, including bartenders, chefs, and barbacks, that keep the fire of passion burning within him.

John and Dani are now Angel’s Envy Whiskey Guardians,  sharing immense pride in working with the company due to their values, which are embodied in their motto of “Revere Tradition. Embrace Progress” and their environmental initiative of planting 75,000 white oak trees for bourbon production sustainability. Angel’s Envy has an intriguing backstory and a wonderful family legacy. “As someone who values family greatly, I deeply admire the Henderson family’s love and reverence for their late Co-founder and Father/Grandfather Mr. Lincoln Henderson. The dedication of his son Wes, his grandson Kyle, and his five brothers to continue producing whiskey in his honor is truly inspiring. By promoting and educating people about Angel’s Envy whiskey, I feel like I am also a part of their family.” said Danielle. 

This dynamic duo holds the same Brand Ambassador title but they both have individual contributions to Angel’s Envy, John and Dani have distinct styles while sharing a similar mindset. While Dani focuses primarily on Miami Beach, John covers the mainland, which are two distinct territories within the larger market. Given the differences in their respective accounts, Dani and John work on building their brand identities tailored to the expectations of Angel’s Envy and their accounts. Despite the varying approaches, their efforts have resulted in positive outcomes, as indicated by the numbers. “Dedication is the most significant aspect in my view. It requires a commitment to go above and beyond to meet the needs of your partner, even if it means achieving the impossible. Consistent support is essential, and mutual interest in growth should be a shared goal. In my opinion, these are the fundamental components of a prosperous partnership” shared John. 

“In order to have a successful business partnership, it is important to maintain open and consistent communication. This applies to all types of relationships, whether they be familial, romantic, friendship, or business. Even though John and I have different territories in the company, we make it a point to speak with each other on a daily basis about all aspects of our work. We provide each other with encouragement, support, inspiration, and motivation, and even engage in some light-hearted gossip. Our colleagues even refer to us as the “Miami Twins” due to our close bond and simultaneous start date. After working together for the past 8 months, it is clear that our partnership is strong and we truly are like twins” added Dani. 

John was asked about his favorite aspect of his job, whether it was creation or education. He found it difficult to choose just one, as he enjoys every aspect of his job except for administrative work. His activations are particularly enjoyable, as they involve organizing events that bring people together based on shared interests and passions. However, he takes the most pride in his work on education, as he wants both consumers and trade to have a deep understanding of Angel’s Envy and all of its selling points.

Dani shared with us the essential qualities of a successful Brand Ambassador.  “From my personal experience, I believe that trust in the brand and the team is crucial. It’s impossible to endorse something that you don’t believe in. Additionally, creating unforgettable experiences and going above and beyond are essential. These things leave a lasting impression on people. Furthermore, building and respecting your network is vital, as it takes a group effort to achieve anything. This includes buyers, commercial partners, other brand ambassadors, distributors, sales consultants, and bartenders. Without this network, it’s impossible to succeed in our role. Therefore, I value my partners, and I’m grateful for the support I’ve received from everyone so far”

These Whiskey guardians are for sure on a mission to introduce Angel’s Envy to every person or establishment they come across, so everybody can experience the joy of savoring a unique bourbon. “My ultimate aim is to have Angel’s Envy stocked in every back bar, not just in South Florida but across the globe. This is my way of giving back to Angel’s Envy for everything it has done for me” – Says John 

To keep up with their journey, you can follow the, on their social media handle @johnnyboy_mia and @whiskeyguardian.dani where they share events and personal life updates there. You will get to know about the upcoming events that they will be hosting, and also, you can explore new Angel’s Envy cocktails in Miami.