End-of-Year Reflections: How Smart Is It to Start a Drinks Company?
How often do you buy a drink you don’t really want just because you’re out socially?
Personally, I’d rather not know how much I’ve spent on beers I wasn’t into—or worse, those €4 cups of boiling water with a sad tea bag floating in them.
Last year, while brewing kombucha at home, I realized how much I missed the delicious kombucha options I had when I lived in the US. I was tired of settling for uninspired drink choices at Vienna’s bars, cafes, and restaurants. So, I thought: Why not create a high-quality kombucha brand right here in Vienna?
Since then, I’ve attended dozens of workshops, coaching sessions, and networking events for entrepreneurs. And let me tell you, launching a drinks business is one of the more challenging routes you can take in entrepreneurship. Launch an online platform, and you might gain thousands of clients overnight. There are plenty of business ideas that seem like safer bets than introducing a new beverage to the market.
But despite the challenges, I love that this journey is pushing me out of my comfort zone in countless ways. Every day, I share our story, introduce myself, and convince other businesses to get on board with our vision. This often means walking into a cafe, asking for a moment of the manager’s time, and pitching our product. The responses vary. Some owners are “too busy” but pass me their contact info, only to decline later. Others flat-out say “no” to my face. But sometimes—sometimes—people catch our vision, get excited, and decide to stock our drinks.
Putting myself out there isn’t always easy. Some days, I feel confident and energized; other days, anxiety creeps in, and I have to muster every ounce of courage just to introduce myself.
Celebrating the Wins
As the year wraps up, I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished. We officially launched and are now selling our kombucha around town, which is incredibly exciting! We’ve started building a community online and have hosted and sponsored wellness events across the city. Our first yoga-and-brunch event was a big success, and we’re gearing up for a Christmas-themed version soon. In January, I’ll finally host a DIY Kombucha class—an idea I’ve been looking forward to since the very beginning.
Defining Success on Our Terms
One of the best pieces of advice I’ve received is to define my own version of success. I didn’t start this business just to amass social media followers or sell as many cans as Red Bull. My goal is to help shift how we, as consumers, think about the products we choose. By offering a mindful drink that’s free of additives and low in sugar, I want to inspire people to demand products that are good for their bodies and for the planet.
This isn’t a change we can achieve alone, but if we contribute even one small brick to a more sustainable future, it’s worth it. I hope that by the time our (future) children are old enough to make their own purchases, they’ll instinctively ask: Where did this come from? What’s in it?
What Does Success Look Like for You?
If you’re a business owner or creative, how do you define success for your project? What goals are you working toward, and how will you measure them? As we step into the new year, let’s set these intentions—and see where they take us.
See you in 2025!
Lots of love,
Shelby