We've interviewed thousands of successful founders at Starter Story and asked what advice they would give to entrepreneurs who are just getting started.

Here's the best advice we discovered for starting a beverage company:

#1: Michaela McVetty, founder of Drink Shrub:

We chatted with with Michaela, founder of Drink Shrub ($4.5K/month). In our interview, Michaela says:

When one’s focus is on a substance and how to get the next drink you put all of your life dreams on hold. Now that I had clarity of mind and energy to put toward living out my dreams it was time to get started. The first of my life dreams to tackle: entrepreneurship.

Additionally:

Don’t be shy! If you’re looking to grow a food and beverage company, network with other companies in your area trying to do similar things.

Further:

Don’t ignore the little accounts. Our highest volume location is also the one that takes up the smallest footprint: a food truck.

Also:

Fill your rolodex with mentors! Even those that seem like they might have competitive businesses to yours. Some of our best advice has come from folks that are just a few years ahead of us in their entrepreneurial journey.

Read the full interview ➜

#2: Nick Greeninger, founder of Tolago:

We chatted with with Nick, founder of Tolago ($68K/month). In our interview, Nick says:

Pre-selling brand awareness is not common in the liquor industry. Rather, most brands wait to start promotion once their product is in stores and available for purchase. We chose our own, different path, which allowed us to come out of the gate with built-in consumer pull.

Additionally:

The biggest thing I have learned through this project is that to succeed, you have to have the right people around you, as well as a strong will to persevere.

Read the full interview ➜

#3: charlie MARKLAND, founder of Bodega Bay Hard Seltzer:

We chatted with with charlie, founder of Bodega Bay Hard Seltzer ($58K/month). In our interview, charlie says:

Embrace the unknown possibilities...you will always be qualified to go back to what you do now in the unlikely event it doesn’t work out!

Read the full interview ➜

#4: Michaela McVetty, founder of Drink Shrub:

We chatted with with Michaela, founder of Drink Shrub ($4.5K/month). In our interview, Michaela says:

Taking it day by day and always being willing to learn, change course and shift perspective is the key to keeping your spirits up and finding success.

Additionally:

Taking it day by day and always being willing to learn, change course and shift perspective is the key to keeping your spirits up and finding success.

Read the full interview ➜

#5: Susan Buckwalter and Siwat Siengsanaoh , founder of Recoup Beverage, Inc.:

We chatted with with Susan, founder of Recoup Beverage, Inc. ($/month). In our interview, Susan says:

As an entrepreneur you really need to be comfortable with not having all the answers all the time. At least, in the beginning, it's ok to not have all the answers as long as you’re taking all the necessary steps to figure out the answers. That’s progress!

Read the full interview ➜

#6: Hana James, founder of Greenhouse:

We chatted with with Hana, founder of Greenhouse ($/month). In our interview, Hana says:

In starting a new business, there will be many roadblocks, but being successful as an entrepreneur is figuring out how you get around those obstacles and learning for the future.

Read the full interview ➜

Part of

Starting A Beverage Company: Everything You Need To Know

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