Mix, Share, Succeed: Ashley Hunt-Poole’s Path from Mixing Mocktails on Social Media to her own brand Mocktails for Mommy on the shelves of Sam’s Club

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In this conversation, Roberta interviews Ashley Hunt-Poole, the founder of Mocktails for Mommy, a pioneering alcohol-free beverage company. Ashley shares her journey from making videos on social making fun mocktails to creating a brand that caters to the sober curious community. The discussion covers the challenges she faced and the importance of being the face of her brand. 

Ashley Hunt-Poole shares her journey of launching 'Mocktails for Mommy,' detailing the challenges she faced in production, the importance of logistics, and the power of belief in achieving her dreams. She discusses her creative marketing strategies, the significance of community engagement during her product launch, and the relationships she built with retailers. Ashley emphasizes the need for persistence in pitching to retailers and shares how she entered local retail, Sam's Club and her 2025 launch in Walmart.

Key Takeaways:

• Ashley started Mocktails for Mommy during the pandemic while pregnant.
• Being the face of her brand was a conscious decision for authenticity.
• Ashley participated in Target's accelerator program to learn about retail.
• Retail involves more than just getting products on shelves.
• Creative marketing can make a significant impact.
• Persistence pays off in retail pitching.
• Slow and steady wins the race in business growth.

Breakouts:

00:00 Introduction to Mocktails for Mommy
01:57 The Journey to Starting Mocktails for Mommy
03:40 Creating Unique Mocktail Recipes
05:23 Overcoming Doubts and Challenges
07:09 Finding Mentorship and Support
08:55 Developing the First Product
10:37 Launching and Selling the First SKU
13:06 Building Brand Presence and Community
16:19 The Importance of Being the Brand's Face
17:31 Expanding into Retail and Target's Accelerator Program
20:27 Pitching to Major Retailers
25:19 Differentiating Mocktails for Mommy in the Market
26:20 The Rise of the Sober Curious Movement
27:21 Navigating Challenges in Production
32:00 The Power of Belief and Taking Action
33:33 Strategic Marketing and Local Launches
35:01 Creative Launch Strategies and Community Engagement
38:57 Building Relationships

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