Nayana Ferguson

‎thumb|Nayana Ferguson ‎Nayana Doletta Ferguson (born October 23, 1973) is an African-American businesswoman. Co-founder and CEO of Anteel Tequila, she is the first Black woman to own and run a tequila company. Quotes In an exclusive interview, Anteel Tequila COO Nayana Ferguson talks about her journey from corporate life to becoming a serial entrepreneur ‎A special conversation with Nayana Ferguson, COO of Anteel Tequila As with any great story, it is a long one, but it truly began with the question. My husband and I have both been serial entrepreneurs in the past and although we have both seen success in the corporate world. I was always a social drinker however, with many spirts. I am a pancreatic cancer survivor, I would have to limit my consumption. *Many spirits can spike my blood sugar and my body just does not respond well to it. I attribute my success to my mindset. My mindset has been the one determining factor in many challenging times in my life. I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer 15 years ago I decided that I would not give in to the mindset that my life was over, even though pancreatic cancer was is a cancer that has no cure. I was a single mother to an eight year old daughter, and she needed me. I was advised that I would need a Whipple procedure surgery, I had faith that I would be okay. I decided then, that I would wake up from the surgery and that I would survive for my daughter. Atlanta’s tequila pioneer: Nayana Ferguson’s journey of resilience, achievement, and passion ‎Nayana Ferguson: Atlanta’s tequila pioneer of success, resilience, and drive When we launched in 2018, I became the first African American woman to own and lead a tequila brand. Anything I’ve gone after, I’ve gotten. It’s because of that positive mindset. I have an intense faith in myself and what I can do. You can do anything. A lot of times, when I tell my story, I tear up because it brings a lot of those memories back. I hope in my speaking and being a part of the pancreatic cancer network that I’m giving hope and awareness to those who feel that they don’t have that. A pancreatic cancer survivor becomes the first Black woman to co-own a tequila brand ‎First Black woman and pancreatic cancer survivor becomes co-owner of a tequila company I remember driving to work on Halloween, and my teeth began chattering uncontrollably. My coworker called an ambulance for me and, when I arrived at the hospital, I had a 106 degree fever. I left the hospital with three tubes in my stomach and unable to walk. I was on several medications. I needed to allow my body time to heal, and I needed to relearn my body. I never knew that there was a possibility that I was going to get pancreatic cancer. No one in my family has ever had it, but maybe there are some genetic markers.” External links ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Category:1973 births ‎Category:entrepreneurs ‎Category:Living people ‎Category:Chief executive officers ‎ Category:Businesswomen from the United States ‎Category:21st-century African-American women ‎ Category:21st-century African-American businesspeople ‎Category:20th-century African-American people ‎Category:20th-century African-American women ‎