From delivering whiskey in her Honda to building a distribution empire: how a mechanical engineer found her calling in spirits

Illinois law required a licensed warehouse before Alessia could import any inventory, but traditional office spaces kept refusing her, not because alcohol storage was illegal, but because landlords didn't want the perceived liability.

She needed a space that could handle her heavy 80-case pallets, had loading dock access for semi-trucks, and wasn't afraid of alcohol inventory, and she needed it immediately for her state licensing.

WareSpace offered everything she needed: loading docks for semi-trucks, wide hallways for pallet jacks, and management that understood business operations.

The space was small enough to fit her startup budget but came with the amenities of a full-size warehouse. She toured, signed immediately, and the state inspector approved her licensing on the spot.

Alessia currently delivers from her car, loading a few cases at a time to visit Chicago-area bars and restaurants, but she's already planning for truck deliveries as her territory expands.

Security cameras proved invaluable when a trucking company falsely claimed a delivery attempt; the on-site manager reviewed footage and helped her avoid redelivery fees. 24/7 access lets her grab inventory anytime around her MBA studies.

Nuvo Spirits brings in spirits from an importer and sells them to retailers, bars, and restaurants across the northern part of Illinois. Alessia describes her portfolio as very high-quality products.

Her search ran into practical limits on top of landlord worries about alcohol. She needed a space sized for the small inventory she would carry at first, and some options that were not on the first floor had no freight elevator.

She took a tour first. Years of working in a manufacturing facility had taught her what a good warehouse looks like, and she could tell this one was well run. Because she holds very controlled product, security all around the building and a property manager who is always around matter to her.