Mob member spotlight: From Corporate to Craft Gin: Cecilia’s Journey Bringing Argentina’s Restinga Gin to the UK

Tell us a little about yourself and your background

I am Cecilia, originally from Argentina, and have been living in London for the last 12 years. I worked for many years in the corporate world, mainly in travel tech in sales and partnerships, but I can gladly say that now I am the founder of Restinga Gin UK — an Argentinian premium craft gin that belongs to my family — which I will bring to the UK for the first time in the coming weeks - exciting!

I am married to Leo, and I am Elena’s mum. She is 22 months old and keeps me really busy and happy, as you can imagine.

Cecilia, founder of Restinga Gin UK, pictured with her daughter Elena. Cecilia’s journey from corporate life to launching her family’s Argentinian craft gin in the UK was inspired by motherhood and the desire to build financial security and fulfilment.

What does financial security mean to you, and how are you actively building it?

I was struggling to keep my corporate job, as I was no longer enjoying it after having Elena. My sense of purpose changed completely, but I also needed to think of a way to live and build financial security. This is when the idea of importing our family (but big) gin business started.

We had always thought this was something I would like to do, but motherhood sped things up. I could not cope with a 9–5 anymore. I knew it was safe money, but I also wanted my daughter to see a mum who takes measured risks in search of purpose and fulfilment, by developing a business at the same time. So, with the help of my husband, we did all the necessary paperwork to become a spirit importer (not easy at all!). And here we are — about to launch our amazing range in the UK.

We are not really looking to have loads — although, of course, it would be nice! — but mainly to have a financial plan we can accomplish for our active years, retirement, and especially to be able to fulfil Elena’s needs and spoil her a bit as well. We love travelling, and for me, financial security means we can also have the chance to travel from time to time, as

this is how I believe money is best spent — by creating experiences that will always be in our minds and hearts.

How has your attitude to money evolved over time, and how has it influenced your financial journey?

Since I was a little girl, I liked to save. I remember my sister spending her money (‘allowance’) as soon as she got it, but I was more of a saver. I bought my open return flight to Paris when I was 23 thanks to the little savings I had!

When I started in the corporate world, I didn’t have great salaries, but I still managed to save to travel. I would plan my budget carefully and try to put as much as I could in the bank. Eventually, I understood that money is also to be enjoyed on an everyday basis. So I can say now I spend more — but not necessarily because I earn more! I believe I was able to understand that money comes and goes, and as long as I have a safety net for a project or for situations like the one I am living, I deserve to treat myself and my family — as long as it is not a ridiculous expense.

The savings I have now, I’ve managed to place in different pots and pension, so I am trying to build a future but with priority in the present. I used to be scared of not having money, but now I know I will be able to get it somehow, less or more, but enough for my family needs. This is why I am more flexible and spend more than before.

BUSINESS JOURNEY and GROWTH

What are you building now, and how did the idea come about?

I have always loved the leisure industry. I worked in travel for many years, I am also a Pilates and Yoga teacher, and I hold the WSET in Wine and Spirits. I personally enjoy a nice trip, a good plate of food, and a good drink.

So when our family proposed to us that they needed the brand to develop in the UK, all eyes looked at me. I like socialising, I worked in sales for many years, and I love the industry.

We are now building a cool concept. I created a company called Mar del Plata LTD — the name of our family city — and became an importer. We can import any food and, most importantly, alcohol, which is a licence that took ages to get. We will be focusing only for now on our star product.

We are importing the most premium Argentinian London Dry Gin. We are also bringing our Patagonian regenerative Entre Montañas Gin, and our Vermouth ‘746’ produced in Mendoza with one of the biggest wineries, Bodegas Lopez. Last but not least, we will bring our Autumn Special Edition Gin.

We are basically creating an Argentinian journey through the palate, as we bring all our flavours together with our different range, which is honestly quite unique.

I would love to tell you where you can buy these bottles now, or how successful we are, but the bottles are about to be shipped, and I am about to start the commercial side of the business. It is quite exciting, and I am confident we will be able to sell it successfully, as it is a product that sells itself thanks to its quality. We know it is a mid-to-long-term project, but

the idea is that it can bring financial security over time. I also believe it is nice for those

mums out there who are at the same stage of their business to know many of us are betting on a better future and more happiness.

How has motherhood shaped, inspired, or impacted what you’re building?

Motherhood inspired me in every sense.

The other side of my situation is that I had suffered from anxiety and insomnia for some years, mainly related to not being able to find a real purpose in life. I was never depressed,

just anxious that my years were passing and I was still not happy or fulfilled with what I did every day.

After becoming a mum, that sense of purpose in what I do every day became even more important — especially when I had to go back to work. I just could not cope with my daughter being looked after every day when I was doing something I could not care less about. It just did not make sense to me that I did that ‘just for money,’ because in my mind, my dream would be to earn money by enjoying what I do. I know it sounds idyllic, but I would still like to give it a chance.

So I took the strength I didn’t think I had to start my own company. I was lucky at the time that my job was really quiet and remote, so I could squeeze in 30 minutes to work on the project.

When I was about to decide to leave my job to fully focus on this project for at least some months, the company closed our business unit, and I was given a small but still valuable package that I could use in the meantime while I kept developing the business. It was an ideal situation that I never thought I would have, so I am now fully dedicated to it.

How did you fund your business?

As we have a family business, the first pallet and bottles are being sent at a reduced price, and they will be paid for as we sell, as we want to insert the brand in the UK first. Hence, we didn’t really have much funding to put up front — another ideal situation. This is why the price we will sell the bottles at will be our best price!

What’s been your approach to pricing and monetisation?

We took a lot of inspiration from the current Argentinian business and then translated it to how economics work in the UK. We believe now we have strong pricing, including RRP and wholesale.

Our idea is to start selling in both B2B and B2C. 

What has been the biggest challenge in your business journey, and how did you overcome it?

One of the biggest challenges so far was to get the alcohol importer licence, and we overcame it with a strong business case. Our gin just works, and we proved its current success in Argentina and other countries where it is being imported.

I can foresee many challenges ahead, like “Why should I buy your bottle when there are so many gins in the UK?” But as mentioned before, our product is unique and of high quality — and quality and uniqueness sell.

One piece of advice you’d give to a mum who wants to start her own business?

Every day that passes is another day you are fulfilling another person’s dream. If you can discuss with your partner — if you have one — and evaluate whether you can work on a project for some time without having a massive financial impact on your family, just do it. If you fail, it will never be a real failure, as you will have learnt so much — and

maybe that will lead to another business. Worst case, the corporate world will still be there waiting for you.

If you don’t fail and you are successful, it is the best thing that could happen to you and your family, as you will be happier, and when you are happy and do things with love, that love and passion is felt in the whole household. Plus, you set an example for your kids to take risks and go for what they believe in!

WELLBEING & WORK-LIFE BALANCE

How do you balance time for yourself while running a business and raising a family?

It is not easy, and it won’t get easier, as I will have to be present at many evening events, do tastings, visit clients, etc. We will have to juggle things as we can, and it is true that from the moment a mum and baby are born, guilt is also born. But I strongly believe that if we dedicate even 10 minutes to ourselves per day, we come back as better parents for them.

At the moment, I am lucky that I could get a couple of months with a part-time salary in the bank, so Elena is being looked after three days out of five without compromising our family finances. This helps me a lot to work on Restinga and to take some time as well for myself. I squeeze in some gym classes in between to keep myself active. I love moving and exercising, and any worry or anxiety disappears or reduces when I go for a quick jog. I also make the investment to go to my local café in Victoria Park, Pavilion, as I really focus when I see people come and go. I feel I am working but at the same time relaxing.

A daily habit or strategy that helps you maintain balance?

Doing any kind of exercise — walking, yoga, running, even 20 minutes of a YouTube video — makes me reset. And seeing Elena smile and thinking I do this for her as well, as I want her to be proud of me.

About Restinga

This artisanal gin originated in Argentina in 2015 after a trip to London inspired us to create a premium London Dry Gin with the perfect local ingredients for a fresh, pleasant, and quality drink. We combine the flavours from the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, from our seaside city Mar del Plata, where the sandbank is located very close to the lighthouse.

We are bringing our unique and premium range to the UK. Our mission: taking you on an Argentinian journey of local flavours and botanicals combined with premium quality alcohol. We have different product ranges from Mendoza to Patagonia, including our Vermouth that we produce with world-renowned wineries Bodegas Lopez and Lui Wines.

We are currently building our UK website and shop, but you can have a sneak peek at our Argentinian site, Restinga, or see our full catalogue here. Drop me an email at cecilia@restingagin.com if you are interested in our soft launch or if you have anyquestions. We will be doing tastings and offering special promo codes for our first buyers!

Meet Cecilia and taste restinga for yourself!

We’re thrilled that Cecilia will be joining us at the Mums Who Build Notting Hill Launch Party on Wednesday 17 September. She’ll be bringing Restinga Gin along for everyone to sample — the perfect chance to taste her incredible Argentinian craft gin and hear more about her journey as a founder and mum.

RSVP HERE

This is exactly what Mums Who Build is all about — shining a light on ambitious mums at pivot points, creating space to share stories, and building a community where women can grow businesses, careers, and financial confidence together. Whether you’re starting out, scaling up, or simply figuring out your next step, Mums Who Build is your board of directors that “gets it.”

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