Rob Weir: From Military to Mezcal - Building the Infrastructure for Artisanal Trade

In this episode of 'The Wisdom Of' Show, host Simon Bowen speaks with Rob Weir, CEO of Maguey Exchange. From his time as a West Point graduate and U.S. Army Ranger to founding a company that's revolutionizing the artisanal spirits industry, Rob shares powerful insights on community-led business models, field-first development, and creating systems that add value at every step. Discover how his experiences in Afghanistan shaped his approach to building a platform that connects artisanal producers with global markets while preserving cultural heritage.

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Episode Breakdown

00:00 Introduction and Rob's background in military, business, and artisanal spirits

05:00 The origin story of Maguey Exchange and meeting Rodrigo in Oaxaca

09:18 The meaning behind the name "Maguey Exchange" and its connection to tradition

12:36 Identifying the industry's critical pain points and constraints

18:52 Community-first approach and field-first development

25:44 Technology integration that serves people rather than replacing them

33:29 The five key elements for building purpose in teams and organizations

38:22 Leadership strategies for "managing up" and influencing without authority

45:36 The five-year and twenty-year vision for Maguey Exchange

52:12 Community-led growth as a new business model

58:43 Rob's personal philosophy and leadership through service

About Rob Weir

Rob Weir is the CEO and founder of Maguey Exchange, a platform building the universal architecture and infrastructure for artisanal trade, starting with the $380 billion artisanal spirits and wine industry. His journey began during a backpacking trip through Latin America in 2009 when he met a mezcal producer in Oaxaca, Mexico, which sparked his passion for connecting artisanal producers with global markets.

A graduate of West Point and former U.S. Army Airborne Ranger who served in Afghanistan, Rob also earned his MBA and worked as a management consultant before founding Maguey Exchange. He combines his military leadership experience, business acumen, and passion for artisanal spirits to create a platform that reduces sourcing time and operational costs by connecting buyers directly with producers while preserving cultural heritage and adding value at every step of the supply chain.

Connect with Rob Weir

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertweir11/

Website: https://www.magueyexchange.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/magueyexchange/

About Simon Bowen

Simon has spent over two decades working with influential leaders across complex industries. His focus is on elevating thinking in organizations, recognizing that success is directly proportional to the quality of thinking and ideas within a business. Simon leads the renaissance of thinking through his work with global leaders and organizations.

Connect with Simon

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonbowen-mm/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialsimonbowen/

Website: https://thesimonbowen.com/

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