From Small-Town Pub to Global Dream Builder

When Canadian entrepreneur Gord Erickson first touched down in the sleepy surf town of Melaque, Mexico, it wasn’t to scout real estate or source agave. It was a vacation. A break. But somewhere between beach walks and mezcal cocktails, something clicked.

That moment of inspiration has now become a full-blown cross-border business empire.

Erickson, based in Salmon Arm, BC, is the founder of The Sueño Company — a hospitality group that now includes five restaurants in Western Canada, a boutique hotel and cantina in Mexico, a condo development, and a soon-to-launch tequila brand. While it may look like a carefully crafted international expansion plan, Erickson admits it didn’t start that way.

“It all evolved organically — from being a visitor to slowly learning how to build business in Mexico,” he says. “There was no grand plan. Just passion, curiosity, and a willingness to figure it out.”

Tequila, Trade, and Two Countries

At the centre of this web is Sueños Tequila, one of the only Canadian-owned tequila brands, expected to launch in May 2025 with distribution in both Canada and Mexico.

Launching a premium tequila brand as a foreigner is no easy task. Beyond the agricultural and production complexities, tequila — like Champagne — is a protected designation of origin, subject to strict regulations. And the bureaucracy doesn’t end at the border.

“Everything from permits to land ownership, employment law, taxes — it’s all different in Mexico,” Erickson says. “The tequila side was even harder. You’ve got to meet every regulation just to be able to call it tequila.”

That complexity has only increased in the wake of U.S. trade tensions with both Canada and Mexico. When American liquor brands were pulled from Canadian government store shelves during peak tension, it became a wake-up call.

“It really highlighted how dependent we are on U.S. suppliers,” says Erickson. “Being one of the only Canadian-owned tequila brands feels like a real opportunity to do something different.”

Building a Business That Builds Dreams

The Canadian side of Erickson’s business includes five restaurants and pubs — Moose Mulligans, Canooligans, Brothers Tavern, Crown & Anchor Public House, and Cobblestone Pub. While the Mexico operations may seem like a separate venture, they’re anything but.

From custom signage and design created by his Canadian sign shop, to branding support and marketing from his Canadian team, The Sueño Company has quietly built a vertically integrated cross-border business.

“We’ve found ways for our teams in Canada to help the projects in Mexico, and vice versa,” says Erickson. “It’s even become a way to reward our people — we’ve given away trips to Mexico, and it’s an affordable vacation option for our team members. That’s something I’m proud of.”

He’s quick to credit his partners in each project, many of whom bring more than just capital — they bring complementary skills, insight, and help keep the vision on track.

“Most of my projects involve partners who not only participate financially, but also help develop the business. We couldn’t do it otherwise.”

From Frontlines to Vision-Casting

Erickson’s entrepreneurial career started, as so many do, with one local pub. He was hands-on — in the kitchen, on the floor, running the day-to-day. Two decades later, he’s had to let go of that control in order to focus on vision and growth.

“That was hard,” he admits. “But I’ve learned to step back and let my team manage operations. That’s allowed me to spend time on creating new opportunities — the fun stuff.”

He describes his leadership style as focused on trust, vision, and support. “I try to give my team room to grow. I’m not trying to be in the weeds anymore. I want to build a company where people can dream — and we’ll do everything we can to make those dreams real.”

What’s Next for The Sueño Company?

That’s a question Erickson and his team are still figuring out.

“We struggle with that all the time — are we liquor retail? Are we food & beverage? Are we developers?” he says. “The truth is, we’re hospitality — but we’re getting better at building vertically integrated businesses that support each other.”

His son, Colby, now runs his own business within the group — Marquee Kitchen & Bath and Salmon Arm Paint Centre — learning the ropes from the ground up. While Erickson isn’t positioning The Sueño Company as a family business, the sense of legacy is there.

“It’s not just about me. It’s not just about Colby. It’s about the team — creating something bigger than ourselves.”

And with tequila set to launch, condos selling out, and a beachfront cantina serving Canadian tourists in Melaque, Erickson is proof that in a divided world, business can still bring people together — especially if it comes with a good margarita.