RUBY HONERKAMP
Founder and CEO, Talkhouse Encore
Age: 33
First industry job: Helping at her family’s dive bar on the east end of Long Island
Favorite drink: Talkhouse Encore Grapefruit Tequila Soda
Living with celiac disease, Ruby Honerkamp often found it difficult to find gluten-free drink options that didn’t have artificial flavoring or added sugar. This influenced her to launch her own line of spirits-based canned seltzers that are gluten-free, made with real fruit juice and have no added sugar: Talkhouse Encore.
Prior to launching Talkhouse Encore, Honerkamp served as the executive assistant to model Karlie Kloss before moving on to Away, where she served as associate director in the Creative Integration department. Working with a well-known public figure and a renowned brand helped Honerkamp gain integral experience that ultimately helped her launch her own company.
Honerkamp also helped at her family’s East-End Long Island venue, The Stephen Talkhouse.
“I grew up in Stephen Talkhouse, so it’s a special place for me because of its old rock-and-roll institution that’s been around for many decades, as well as the values that are instilled in it,” says Honerkamp. “When we were closed during the pandemic, we were thinking of ways for customers to bring that summer experience home with them.”
Launching a new beverage during the pandemic was a tough venture, and not just because of all the government shutdowns.
“One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced in my career was navigating New York State’s Tide House laws, which initially posed significant barriers to the growth of my business,” she explains. These laws, originally established to prevent vertical integration in the alcohol industry, inadvertently restricted her ability to bring Talkhouse Encore to life.
“To successfully pass a bill to lift these restrictions, I worked tirelessly with Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. and Senator Anthony Palumbo and their respective offices to pass legislation exempting Talkhouse Encore and The Stephen Talkhouse from Tied House Law,” she continues. “This legislative victory ultimately set a precedent allowing for greater innovation and flexibility in how our businesses operate within the alcohol sector.”
You can read about all of our 40 Under 40 winners here.
