A splash of soda water. The inspiration for Katie Beal Brown’s career change was simple, but the journey had more of a twist. Ms. Brown—paying homage to ranch water, a classic cocktail from her home state—devised a bottled hard seltzer version that became a hit. Before starting her own company, Ms. Brown had put in the work—late nights and ramen meals out of vending machines—to rise through the advertising ranks on Madison Avenue. But jumping from client to client as an account director at downtown...

Source: Wall Street Journal August 23, 2020 12:56 UTC