Top Skills
CEO
Serves as CEO, leading strategy, distribution, and investor relations for Estazzi Beverages.
Beverage Industry
Possesses deep industry knowledge from roles in beverage distribution and founding a beverage brand.
Entrepreneurship
Demonstrated entrepreneurial drive by co-founding and leading Estazzi Beverages.
Bio
Ryan Horan is the co-founder and CEO of Estazzi Beverages, a premium hemp-derived THC beverage brand operating across Kentucky and Ohio. Prior to founding Estazzi, Ryan built a career spanning wealth management at Horan Wealth and beverage distribution at Heidelberg Distributing, giving him an uncommon combination of financial acumen and deep industry relationships across the Midwest retail and distribution landscape. He founded Estazzi on the conviction that THC beverages represent a generational shift in how Americans choose to relax — and that the brands built during the early innings of the category will define it for decades. Ryan leads strategy, distribution, and investor relations for Estazzi.
Elevator Pitch
Estazzi is a premium THC beverage brand operating in Kentucky and Ohio with 64 active retail accounts, distribution through Heidelberg Distributing, and a 363-account licensed network to grow into. We launched in March 2025 with zero prior market — every account, every case, every relationship built from scratch.
Industries
Consumer Products, Food, Retail
Website
estazzi.com
Team Size
Just Me/Co-Founders
Company Stage
Growth
Funding Stage
Seed
Funding Raised
$100k to $250k
Annual Revenue
$100k to $250k
| Skill | Strength | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| CEO | 90 | Serves as CEO, leading strategy, distribution, and investor relations for Estazzi Beverages. |
| Beverage Industry | 90 | Possesses deep industry knowledge from roles in beverage distribution and founding a beverage brand. |
| Entrepreneurship | 90 | Demonstrated entrepreneurial drive by co-founding and leading Estazzi Beverages. |
| Started Company | 90 | Co-founded Estazzi Beverages and built it from the ground up. |
| Networking | 90 | Has deep industry relationships across the Midwest retail and distribution landscape. |
| Founder | 90 | Co-founded Estazzi Beverages and leads as CEO. |
| Hemp-Derived THC Industry | 85 | Specializes in the emerging market of hemp-derived THC beverages, understanding its unique challenges and opportunities. |
| Business Strategy | 85 | Responsible for developing and executing the strategic vision for Estazzi Beverages. |
| Distribution Industry | 85 | Expert in the intricacies of product distribution networks, especially in the beverage sector. |
| Distribution Management | 85 | Possesses deep experience in beverage distribution, cultivated at Heidelberg Distributing and applied at Estazzi. |
| Startup Launch | 85 | Has hands-on experience in the initial planning and execution phases of launching a startup from scratch. |
| Strategy | 85 | Leads overall company strategy for Estazzi Beverages, focusing on market positioning and growth. |
| Leadership | 85 | Provides strategic direction and leadership as CEO of Estazzi Beverages, overseeing strategy, distribution, and investor relations. |
| Finance | 85 | Possesses strong financial acumen gained from a career in wealth management. |
| Launched Product | 85 | Successfully launched Estazzi Beverages into the Kentucky and Ohio markets with initial retail accounts. |
| Relationship Management | 85 | Cultivated and leveraged deep relationships across the retail and distribution industries in the Midwest. |
| Financial Acumen | 80 | Possesses a strong understanding of financial principles and business finances, explicitly mentioned in his bio. |
| Go-to-Market Strategy | 80 | Formulated and executed the strategy to introduce Estazzi Beverages to new markets with zero prior market presence. |
| Investor Relations | 80 | Manages relationships with investors and secured seed funding for Estazzi Beverages. |
| Retail Industry | 80 | Has strong connections and understanding of the retail landscape, particularly in the Midwest. |
| Cannabis Industry | 80 | Operates a hemp-derived THC beverage brand within the evolving cannabis market. |
| Consumer Products Industry | 80 | Experienced in the consumer products sector, particularly in bringing new brands to market. |
| Fundraising | 80 | Actively engaged in fundraising efforts, securing seed capital for Estazzi Beverages. |
| Midwest Market | 80 | Familiar with the specific market dynamics and relationships within the Midwest region for retail and distribution. |
| Business Development | 80 | Skilled in building new business relationships and expanding market presence from the ground up, including establishing 64 retail accounts for Estazzi. |
| Raised Funding | 80 | Secured between $100k-$250k in seed funding for Estazzi Beverages. |
| Account Management | 75 | Manages relationships with 64 active retail accounts for Estazzi Beverages. |
| Market Analysis | 75 | Analyzes market trends and identifies opportunities for new product categories, driven by a conviction in THC beverages. |
| Wealth Management | 75 | Developed expertise in financial planning and investment strategies during a career in wealth management. |
| Market Penetration | 75 | Executed strategies to establish and expand product presence in new retail markets, achieving 64 active accounts. |
| Regional Operations | 75 | Manages business operations and expansion across specific regional markets like Kentucky and Ohio. |
| Brand Management | 75 | Responsible for shaping and promoting Estazzi as a premium hemp-derived THC beverage brand. |
| Market Expansion | 75 | Oversaw the expansion and operation of Estazzi Beverages across Kentucky and Ohio. |
| Financial Services Industry | 75 | Has prior professional experience within the financial services sector, specifically in wealth management. |
| Licensing | 70 | Navigated the licensing requirements to establish a 363-account licensed network for beverage distribution. |
| Sales | 70 | Involved in securing and growing retail accounts for beverage distribution and Estazzi Beverages. |
Title
Co-founder & CEO
Position Description
Co-founded and leads strategy, distribution, and investor relations for a premium hemp-derived THC beverage brand operating across Kentucky and Ohio. Responsible for building the company from scratch, developing market presence, and securing funding.
Accomplishment Notes
Successfully launched the brand in March 2025, acquiring 64 active retail accounts and establishing distribution through Heidelberg Distributing. Raised seed funding between $100k and $250k.
Title
Beverage Distribution Professional
Position Description
Managed aspects of beverage distribution, cultivating deep industry relationships and understanding logistics and market dynamics.
Accomplishment Notes
Gained extensive experience in beverage distribution, developing deep industry relationships across the Midwest retail and distribution landscape prior to founding Estazzi Beverages.
Title
Wealth Management Professional
Position Description
Provided wealth management services and financial guidance to clients, developing strong financial acumen and expertise in investment strategies.
Accomplishment Notes
Built a career in wealth management, gaining significant financial expertise and client relationship skills prior to founding Estazzi Beverages.