Are Entrepreneurs Drinking Less? 5 Founders Share Why They Are Skipping Booze in 2025. I spoke with several industry leaders who are doing Dry January year-round — here are their reasons and results.

For many entrepreneurs, drinking has long been a part of networking, dealmaking and unwinding after a busy day. Lately, a growing number of founders and CEOs have been opting out — trading cocktails for clarity and late nights for early mornings.

It's not just a Dry January experiment. More and more entrepreneurs are making the choice to cut alcohol out of their lives entirely, citing better focus, sharper decision-making and a stronger sense of control. I spoke with several industry leaders who made this shift to find out why they walked away from drinking and what's changed since. The length of their journeys vary — ranging from a little over a month to more than six years of sobriety — and their reasons for quitting are equally diverse. But the one thing they all agree on? The impact it's had on their businesses has been nothing short of transformative.

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1. Wil Slickers, CEO & Founder of Hospitality.FM

"Giving up alcohol wasn't just about removing something — it was about making room for something better."

Why did you decide to give up alcohol?

Sobriety isn't just about avoiding alcohol; it's about removing something that no longer serves the man I want to become. It's about clarity, discipline and living a life where I am fully present in everything I do.

What did you think would happen after giving up alcohol?

The positives I expected were more clarity and focus in my work, improved physical and mental health, stronger, more meaningful relationships and a deeper sense of discipline and self-respect.

But I also feared I'd lose part of my identity. So much of business and networking in hospitality involves social drinking, and I worried I'd feel isolated or like I was "missing out." I thought it might be difficult to handle stress without the "escape" I was used to and that people wouldn't understand why I was making this choice.

What actually happened?

The fears I had were mostly in my head. I didn't lose anything that mattered — I gained clarity, confidence and control over my decisions. My relationships improved because I was more present and intentional. Stress is still there, but I've found better ways to manage it, whether it's through faith, fitness or just sitting with my emotions instead of numbing them. I realized I never actually needed alcohol to connect with people — I needed to be fully myself and stop using it as a social crutch.

How has this decision affected your business?

Sobriety has made me a better leader — period. I feel sharper, stronger and more aligned with my vision than ever before. And if there's one thing I've learned, it's this: you don't need to escape your life when you're fully engaged in creating one you love.

Related: 3 Simple Tips to Unlearn Bad Self-Care Habits and Escape Burnout For Good

2. Avery Carl, CEO and Founder of The Short Term Shop

"There was no big event that made us decide to stop. It was just a casual conversation that started with, 'What if we cut this out?' Almost like cutting carbs or sugar."

Why did you decide to give up alcohol?

My husband and I stopped on the same day six years ago. Our first child was turning one, and we had a business that was growing extremely quickly. Naturally, when you have a slam-packed, stressful day — which is every day when you're growing a business — you want to have a glass of wine or a cocktail to wind down. The feeling of impairment when spending time with our daughter did not feel good. Or right. It felt like we weren't giving her our 100% A-game.

What did you think would happen after giving up alcohol?

I honestly didn't think much would happen at all.

What actually happened?

I'm naturally a pretty high-strung, anxious person. My anxiety levels significantly decreased when I cut out alcohol. I also didn't realize that my sleep was not ideal — I thought I slept fine. But after I stopped drinking, my sleep improved tremendously, which helped my performance on all fronts: both family and business.

How has this decision affected your business?

Our business soared when we quit drinking. We started getting up early (4 a.m.) to get work done before our daughter woke up. That helped with productivity. I also found that without hangover brain fog, I was much more articulate during meetings and able to concentrate more easily. I appreciate our decision every day.

Related: Brain Fog Weighing You Down? Try These 4 Strategies for Clear Thinking

3. Dave Krauss, Co-Founder & CEO of Rent Responsibly

"I'm sober now, but I don't think about my current abstinence as a 'thing.'"

Why did you decide to give up alcohol?

The first time someone recommended I give up drinking was in my early 20s — my shrink knew I was a lush. With alcoholism in my family, I had a feeling I'd have to divorce the drug someday. Since then, I've been sober-curious, but it wasn't until my mid-30s that I got the upper hand. Historically, trying to alleviate my stress drove me to the bottle. Yet ironically, it was preparing for the stress of founding a new startup that made it a no-brainer to try to dry out.

What did you think would happen after giving up alcohol?

When I stopped drinking, the goal was to give myself back three extra days per month — a rough estimate of how many hangovers I typically had. I was founding a startup and figured the additional three days would give my company a 10% better chance of survival.

What actually happened?

Boy, I underestimated the benefits. The most unexpected was the psychic energy I got back from not having to deliberate whether to indulge myself or not. Plus, better and more consistent sleep. That singular choice improved my business's chance of success by at least 30%, crushing the 10% that I had ballparked.

How has this decision affected your business?

Once I went sober, I was able to set other goals higher, too. I take on more responsibility in all areas of my life. It's powerful to trust myself to do what I said I would. My most important trait now is reliability. I hope that this year of sobriety leads to another and another, but more than anything, I hope reliability becomes my calling card. Sobriety fuels my self-confidence.

Related: 5 Steps for Building Trust and Becoming the Go-to in Your Field

4. Pamela Daniele, Founder of The Cabinpedia and Photographer at dirtandglass

"I began a journey to meet myself. After essentially losing a decade-plus of getting to know me, I was astonished that I was actually a very different person without alcohol."

Why did you decide to give up alcohol?

Growing up, I was surrounded by alcoholics and by my 21st birthday, I fell victim to it. I had been battling depression, and unfortunately, it felt good to drink. For years, I tried to quit every Dry January, Sobertober, and Lent — mind you, I'm not even a practicing Catholic! I was desperate for an out but couldn't stick the landing. In September 2020, I had an incredible visceral moment that I can only describe as an out-of-body experience. I became aware of the rarity of what I was doing here with my life. That was when the wheels of quitting really began to turn.

Related: 3 Tips for Navigating Work Events as a Sober Person

What did you think would happen after giving up alcohol?

There's a stigma about quitting drinking. It makes people really uncomfortable, so I was prepared for the doubt, the jokes, the denial, the anger, the annoyance and the rude questions. I was prepared to be excluded from activities and to help people through their discomfort.

What actually happened?

I immediately felt amazing. My energy levels were off the charts. I discovered a love of exercising and best of all, I began a journey to meet myself. There were some negatives, though — family members who tried to get me to slip up, being excluded from events and losing some relationships.

How has this decision affected your business?

I'm so clear-headed and focused now. I can see what I want to achieve and avenues to reach my goals. The craving to drink doesn't fog my mind anymore, which allows me so much more freedom to work on myself. Self-improvement is connected to my business — the ways in which I have grown outside of work only make my work better.

5. Tatianna Taylor-Tait, Interior Designer and Co-Founder of Level Up Your Listing Summit

"It's not about what I gave up—it's about everything I've gained."

Why did you decide to give up alcohol?

I wanted to be the best version of myself, to experience life without the influence of alcohol, and to see how my mind, body and spirit would respond to complete clarity. While I've always been health-conscious, I felt inspired to go deeper and prove that I could thrive without relying on social crutches. It was about discipline, growth and aligning my lifestyle with the person I aspire to be.

What did you think would happen after giving up alcohol?

I thought my friends and family might give me a hard time or tease me about it. But honestly, I've been pleasantly surprised to see how many people are making similar choices. There's a growing trend of people turning down alcohol, and more restaurants are offering creative mocktails.

What actually happened?

I realized alcohol was never something I truly valued. I can still be social, have fun and engage fully without it. In fact, my confidence in this choice has only grown. It's empowered me to live more authentically in every area of my life, trusting myself and my decisions, both personally and professionally.

How has this decision affected your business?

No one has ever said that drinking helps them become the best version of themself, and I'm no exception. Removing alcohol from my life has had a profound impact on my business in ways I didn't expect. It's helped me recognize my discipline and resilience, showing me that I can set boundaries and stick to them. This sense of control has allowed me to create healthier routines that support my success.