| Tell us about your company: |
| Above Board Liqueurs is a plant based low to no sugar liqueur line created to redefine what is possible behind the bar and at home. Made with plant-based sweeteners Monk fruit and Allulose, our liqueurs deliver the flavor and experience of traditional favorites without the heavy sugar load, offering a better for you option for today’s health-conscious consumer. Founded in Southern California by husband and wife team Nicole and Brent Slone, Above Board is proudly woman owned and was born out of frustration with the lack of clean balanced cocktail options in restaurants and bars. What started as a personal solution quickly revealed a much larger gap in the market, not only for hospitality but for people who wanted to enjoy elevated cocktails at home without the sugar. Today, Above Board Liqueurs is leading the charge in the Better For You beverage movement, helping restaurants, hotels, and consumers unlock an entirely new category of premium low to no sugar cocktails. With our Orange and Coffee liqueurs containing zero sugar and our Cream liqueur at just 1 gram of sugar per ounce, we are not just creating products, we are opening the door to a new standard in how people drink. |
| What inspired you to start your business? |
| Above Board Liqueurs was inspired by a simple frustration that kept coming up again and again. We loved going out, enjoying great food, and being part of the craft cocktail scene, but every option behind the bar was loaded with sugar. Asking for a “skinny” version almost always meant sacrificing balance, flavor, or the entire experience. At the same time, we were becoming more aware of the impact sugar has on overall health, from weight gain to blood sugar spikes, and we realized there was nothing on the market that truly solved this problem without compromise. What started at home as an experiment to create better cocktail options using plant based sweeteners quickly turned into something much bigger. Once we shared it with others, it became clear we were not alone. There was a real demand for a way to enjoy cocktails without the sugar. That realization is what inspired us to build Above Board Liqueurs and begin challenging an industry that had overlooked this need for far too long. |
| What are your proudest achievements so far? |
| One of our proudest achievements has been proving that there is real demand for a better for you alternative in a category that has remained unchanged for decades. What started as a personal solution has quickly grown into a brand now carried in over 150 on premise and off premise locations throughout San Diego, our hometown and initial focus group, all within the first year and a half. We are especially proud to be partnered with respected hospitality leaders including the Hyatt and the Omni, where Above Board Liqueurs is helping introduce a new standard of premium low to no sugar cocktails to their guests. The response from the hospitality community has been incredibly validating. Bartenders and operators who have tried to create their own low sugar solutions have embraced Above Board as the missing piece, allowing them to offer cocktails without compromise while opening up an entirely new revenue opportunity. More than anything, we are proud to be leading the charge in the Better For You beverage movement, creating a new category that aligns with how people want to drink today. |
| What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs: |
| It all starts with solving a real problem. The most meaningful businesses are often born out of personal frustration. When something isn’t working in your own life, there’s a very good chance others are experiencing the same challenge. For us, it was the lack of clean, balanced cocktail options without the sugar. Instead of accepting it, we decided to create a solution, and that decision opened the door to something much bigger than we initially imagined. My advice is to pay attention to what frustrates you, trust your instincts, and take action before you feel fully ready. You don’t need to have everything figured out. You just need to start, stay curious, and be willing to learn as you go. If you are solving a real problem and you stay committed, the path will begin to reveal itself. |
| Please share a memory or thought about your alma mater: |
| UCSB is one of those places that leaves an impression on you, whether you fully realize it at the time or not. Sitting right on the ocean, there’s a unique energy where natural beauty, creativity, and possibility all come together. It’s known for its strong sense of community and a mindset that feels both grounded and expansive. My experience looked a little different than most. I transferred from City College and was working full time, so I was on campus mainly Tuesdays and Thursdays, focused on getting through my classes. I didn’t fully immerse myself in the traditional campus life, and for a while I felt like I had missed something. But looking back, I see it differently. That time represents drive, discipline, and forward momentum. Even in a limited window, I was surrounded by a place that encourages growth and big thinking, and that sense of possibility has stayed with me ever since. |
Alumni Emporium 