Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Ana Bautista, Founder, and CEO of Brews of Paradise LLC., located in Brooklyn, NY, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
MABÏ is a line of tree bark brews inspired by Indigenous Caribbean recipes. They're made with curated spices, herbs, and flowers. 0 sugars, 0 calories, 100% powered by plants. Our customers are people who care about what they eat and drink but also prioritize flavors. We created a line of beverages that take diabetics into consideration, so they don't have to worry about the sugar, just the deliciousness. Our beverages are made with mauby bark, tree bark with a long history of usage by the Tainos or Indigenous people from the Caribbean, who used it to cool off the body and treat ailments. All flavors are unique, thirst-quenching, and very refreshing, with fruity and herbal notes, and the drinks are great for digestion and cholesterol. The beverages are great on their own, and can be consumed with friends and family, for post-workouts, or even as mixers.
Tell us about yourself
My name is Ana Bautista. I am the founder of Brews of Paradise and creator of the line of tree bark brews, MABÏ. My professional background is in AdTech, and my main interests include food & beverage, design, travel, and meeting new people who can expand my world views. I was born in NYC and raised in the Dominican Republic - where I lived until I was 15 years old. I grew up drinking a traditional mauby drink, which is the main inspiration behind MABÏ. I wanted to make a healthier and more modern version of this Caribbean classic:
- Because I want to keep a tradition alive (with a twist) and share the origin, benefits, and cleanliness of the drink.
- To showcase my culture and heritage by mixing Caribbean and Asian ingredients (among others) just like my background.
- To create a more inclusive drink that takes diabetics, like my mother, aunt, and uncle, into consideration. I'm on a mission to introduce a new flavor profile and type of healthy beverage to the American market.
A mauby-bark-based beverage that does not compromise taste and that is guaranteed to be created with simple, plant-based ingredients that benefit the body and soul. The tree-bark brew is calorie and sugar-free, made with rare/unique ingredients, like mauby bark, which has a rich history: it was used by the Tainos (indigenous people from the Caribbean) to treat ailments and cool off the body.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment so far has been to get selected to participate in Target's Forward Founders Accelerator Program this past summer. Only 30 companies got accepted out of almost 2,000 applicants. I was able to grow my network of CPG founders, learn incredible lessons on the next steps I need to take to bring my company to the next level, and understand what needs to be done to play in the mass retail universe.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
This is a self-funded company. Therefore, holding a full-time demanding job and running the business on the side has been quite the challenge. But in my case, it's something I need to continue doing until I can fully transition into running my business full-time. I don't come from a family of business owners, investors, or big risk-takers, so I've had to learn every single step on my own, connecting with other people who are open to sharing their time and knowledge while also educating my family, who think I might be insane for getting into starting my own beverage company. Aside from that, they've actually tried being supportive in their own way! And that's appreciated.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Learn about COGS as soon as possible so you understand the main basics of the financial aspects of your business and how to price your product/service properly.
- Go to pitch competitions or entrepreneurial panels, workshops, and networking events. It'll inspire you to get in the spirits of getting started, and it will be an opportunity to learn about the important things you'll eventually have to deal with.
- Ask questions! Everybody says this, but this is crucial. Ignorance can be expensive. So when you're starting, you want to avoid making as many mistakes as possible. It'll save you time and money, and you can learn from others' mistakes/experiences before you do them yourself.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://drinkmabi.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drinkmabi/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drinkmabi/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brews-of-paradise/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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