Kevin O'Leary and Will Patch, co-founders of Cape Cod'r craft cocktails, share their journey launching a beverage brand made for those who crave memories of care-free summers.

In this episode we dove into topics including:

• using crowdfunding to raise cash for marketing and create raving fans
• why founders need to share their story over and over
• advice for anyone thinking about founding a CPG brand
• how to get sips to lips and cans in hands for a new beverage brand
• why speaking to the right investors and co-packers can get you to market faster with less risk

Brands, services, books and products mentioned in this episode include:

• Cape Cod'r
• Start Engine
• Burn the Boats by Matt Higgins
• Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
• Barbarians at the Gate by Bryan Burrough
• Nantucket Crisps
• Bezi Labneh

This episode of the Shopify Happy Hour features Drea Groeschel, founder of Better Than Booze, an award winning beverage brand that duplicates craft cocktail flavors for consumers seeking non-alcoholic options.

Drea shared TONS of insights and lessons learned from launching and growing Better Than Booze including:

• why early-stage brands need to KISS
• how she got into her first hundred retailers
• the value of face to face interactions and consumer feedback
• how to choose between marketing strategies
• why product quality matters
• what she would do if starting her beverage brand all over again

Plus, lots more!

Products mentioned during this podcast include:

• Better Than Booze
• Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer
• Dafu Sauce

Aaron Nosbisch is founder of BRĒZ which creates microdosed cannabis & mushrooms in a can.

During this episode Aaron shared his journey launching one of the fastest growing DTC beverage brands. We dove into topics including:

• launch strategies using organic UGC amplified by paid ads
• why every brand should advertise on Meta
• navigating regulations in a new category
• DTC vs retail expansion
• new product development

And lots more!

Brands and products mentioned in this episode include:

• What Doesn’t Kill Us by Scott Carney
• Brass Monkey
• Blue Cube
• Nomad Sauna
• Almost Heaven Sauna
• Apple store
• Brez
• Zero to One by Peter Thiel