For Jamie Hunt, Amaro isn’t just a passion—it’s a way to honor heritage, connect with others, and give back to the community. As the founder and CEO of Fast Penny Spirits, Jamie has built more than an award-winning distillery. She’s created a platform for sustainability, women’s empowerment, and support of local music through her Pretty Penny Giveback Program. Her journey from tech to spirits is as inspiring as it is rooted in her love for creativity and connection. We recently caught up with Jamie to learn more about her story, her passion for music, and why healthcare for musicians is close to her heart.
Jamie’s love for Amaro blossomed in her 20s while traveling through Italy. “There’s something so communal about it—it brings people together,” she says. This connection to her Italian heritage inspired her to create a modern take on the classic spirit. After 2.5 years of research and experimentation, Fast Penny Spirits was born, blending organic, wild-crafted botanicals into two distinctive offerings: Amaricano and Amaricano Bianca.
But Jamie’s mission goes beyond crafting spirits. After over 20 years in the tech industry, she was ready for a change. Founding a Certified B Corp allowed her to align her business with her values, dedicating 3% of bottle sales to nonprofits.
MUSIC AS INSPIRATION & HOW SHE IS PAYING IT FORWARD
Music has always been a cornerstone of Jamie’s life. Growing up, her family filled the house with impromptu dance parties and singalongs, sparking her lifelong passion. “Music has this incredible ability to transport you, to heal and connect,” she shared with us.
Her love for Seattle’s music scene is just as vibrant. Current favorites include Smokey Brights, Tacocat, Shabazz Palaces, and Shaina Shepherd, who performed at Fast Penny Spirits’ 2024 Summer Concert Series. When asked who she’d most want to see live, her answer spans eras: Elton John for the living legends and Aretha Franklin, Amy Winehouse, and Whitney Houston for icons gone too soon.
Jamie’s commitment to supporting musicians is deeply personal and practical. “Musicians bring so much joy into the world, yet many struggle with irregular incomes that make healthcare inaccessible,” she explains. Through Fast Penny’s Pretty Penny Giveback Program, Jamie chose SMASH as the Q1 recipient, building on a partnership sparked by their November fundraiser. She has gone on to make recurring donations to SMASH and is a matching partner in our Giving Tuesday campaign this year.
“Healthcare is foundational,” she says. “Musicians face unique challenges—mental health concerns, physical strain, long hours—and organizations like SMASH ensure they get the support they need to thrive.”
As an entrepreneur and a trauma survivor, Jamie understands the importance of mental health care. Having experienced PTSD in college, she’s navigated the ups and downs of running a business while prioritizing self-care. Her tools for staying balanced include walking her dog, meditating, and connecting with friends. And when the going gets tough, music is a constant source of comfort. Tracks like “Stronger” by Kelly Clarkson, “Respect” by Aretha Franklin, and “It’s About Damn Time” by Lizzo help her find resilience and joy.
CRAFTING COCKTAILS FOR CHANGE
For Jamie, the journey with Fast Penny Spirits is as much about building community as it is about crafting Amaro. Whether partnering with nonprofits, celebrating local musicians, or championing women in business, her work blends purpose with passion.
“Amaro is about savoring the moment, and so is life,” she reflects. “Fast Penny Spirits is my way of giving back, honoring my heritage, and helping others thrive.”
Learn more about Fast Penny Spirits at www.fastpennyspirits.com, sign up for their mailing list to know about upcoming events, and follow along on Instagram at @amaroamaricano and @fastpennyspirits. You can visit Fast Penny Spirits in person on Fridays from 4 pm - 9 pm and Saturdays from 1 pm - 6 pm at 1138 W Ewing St in Seattle.
GIVING TUESDAY MATCH CHALLENGE
As part of our “A Little Help from Our Friends” Giving Tuesday campaign, Fast Penny Spirits has generously pledged to match all donations up to $1,000 on December 6 until midnight.
That means your gift will go twice as far in providing essential healthcare services to Seattle’s musicians! When you make a tax-deductible gift to SMASH, you directly impact our capacity to serve current members, expand programs and services, and support even more musicians in our area.
More about Fast Penny Spirits: Fast Penny Spirits is a woman-owned and operated, award-winning Amaro distillery and Certified B Corp. Based in Seattle and inspired by the founder’s Italian heritage, the company is committed to stirring up change. Blended with a combination of the highest-quality, wild-crafted, organic, and consciously- sourced botanicals, our Italian-style amari - Amaricano and Amaricano Bianca - are beautifully complex to sip on their own or swirled into a cocktail. With a constant eye on environmental impact and a 3% Pretty Penny give-back program, Fast Penny Spirits is dedicated to supporting and empowering women and women-identify business leaders, local communities, and the hospitality industry.