Meet Fallon Dupard | Bourbon Experience Curator & Certified Bourbon Steward

We had the good fortune of connecting with Fallon Dupard and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Fallon, have you ever found yourself in a spot where you had to decide whether to give up or keep going? How did you make the choice?
I don’t believe in giving up, but I do believe in listening. If something keeps tapping you on the shoulder, even when it’s inconvenient, even when it’s quiet, that’s not a sign to stop. That’s a sign to adjust.

I keep going when the vision still makes sense, even if the path changes. When people are responding. When doors crack open, even slightly. When the work still feels aligned with who I am and how I want to show up in the world.

If it ever stops feeling honest or starts feeling like I’m forcing a version of myself that does not fit, then it’s time to pause, reflect, and pivot. Not quit. Just refine.

For me, Bourbon Baby Collective exists because it feels true. As long as it does, I’m pouring into it.

What should our readers know about your business?
Bourbon Baby Collective was created to change how bourbon feels. Not just how it tastes. I wanted to build experiences that feel welcoming, elevated, and rooted in culture. Bourbon has a long history, but the spaces around it have not always felt accessible or reflective of the people drinking it today. What sets us apart is that we blend education with celebration. We honor the craft without the intimidation.

What I am most proud of is the way the brand has grown with intention. Every tasting, partnership, and opportunity has been about alignment, not rushing. Being a growing business has taught me patience. Sometimes progress looks loud, and sometimes it looks like quiet consistency. Both matter.

Getting here was not easy. I had to learn how to trust timing, how to sit with uncertainty, and how to keep moving even when the outcome was not guaranteed. There were moments where I had to ask myself if I was pushing something that was not ready or if I was being asked to stretch. I learned that growth does not always mean doing more. Sometimes it means doing better and doing it on purpose.

Along the way, I have learned to listen. To feedback, to community, and to myself. I have learned that credibility is built through care, preparation, and showing up consistently. When you move with intention, the right rooms eventually open.

What I want the world to know is that Bourbon Baby Collective is still becoming, and that is the beauty of it. This brand is about patience, presence, and pouring into the process. I am not interested in shortcuts. I am interested in building something that lasts, something that feels honest, and something that continues to invite people in as it grows.

As long as the vision feels true, I will keep going.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my people were in town, I’d plan the week around food, vibes, and letting the city do what it does best. Saturday is for being outside, moving through neighborhoods like Montrose and the Heights, where patios stay full, rooftops are buzzing, and good music sets the tone. Meals turn into hanging out because nobody’s in a rush. You eat well, sip something good, and let the energy of the city guide the day, before ending the night at a speakeasy where the bourbon pours are top shelf, and the cocktails are curated, not just poured.

Sunday belongs to brunch. That’s non-negotiable. You don’t leave Houston on a Sunday. Brunch lingers, drinks keep flowing, time gets a little blurry, and conversations deepen. Somewhere between the plates, the laughter, and the last pour, it all makes sense. That’s why people enjoy coming to Houston.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My shoutout belongs to my wife, Phylicia. She plays a huge role in how I know when to keep going. She is my biggest cheerleader and my best friend, but she is also the voice of reason when things feel overwhelming.

When I am questioning myself or standing on the edge of burnout, she is the one who helps me slow down, breathe, and get grounded again. She reminds me of the vision when I lose sight of it and helps me separate a hard moment from a hard truth.

She supports the work in ways that are not always visible. The late-night conversations, the honest feedback, and the encouragement to rest when pushing harder. Because of her, I do not confuse frustration with failure.

Bourbon Baby Collective continues because I have someone beside me who helps me listen, adjust, and keep going with clarity and intention.

Website: https://www.bourbonbabycollective.com

Instagram: @bourbonbabycollective

Other: TikTok @bourbonbabycollective