the hill we’ll die on: how business owners can change the world (kava & NA edition)
Mocktails with Marina
If you care about the future of kava, you need to hear this. In this powerful episode, I pull back the curtain on our advocacy work with both the Global and Arizona Kava Coalitions; covering everything from health department misunderstandings to national misinformation about kava’s safety. We talk real policy, industry protection, and how owning a kava business is the most effective tool for creating long-term change. You’ll learn: • How kava bar owners are uniting to prevent what happened to hemp from happening to kava • Why being a business owner gives you more power in public...
info_outline
the drunk monopoly: why the world is rigged against non-alc (and how to win anyways)
Mocktails with Marina
The non-alcoholic space is booming—but make no mistake, the game is still rigged. In this episode, Marina exposes the power structures keeping non-alc brands stuck on the sidelines and what it really takes to win. We unpack how the alcohol industry controls distribution, funding, and even social norms—while quietly investing in non-alc products to keep control. You’ll learn the psychology behind why drink culture is so hard to break—and how non-alc brands can use that exact psychology to build something magnetic. Whether you're building a bottle shop, launching a beverage, or just...
info_outline
the biggest lie about starting a non-alc business, and why it's keeping you stuck
Mocktails with Marina
They told you that launching a non-alc business takes millions in funding, insider connections, and a nonstop hustle mindset. They lied. In this episode, I’m debunking the 3 most toxic myths keeping passionate founders stuck—and showing you exactly what it really takes to build a successful non-alc brand from the ground up. You’ll learn: Why you don’t need venture capital to get started (and what to build instead) How “not being an expert” can be your superpower Why burnout culture is the trap, not the blueprint Real-world stories of scrappy, sustainable non-alc brands that blew...
info_outline
sell the vibe, not the drink: the new rules of running a non-alc business
Mocktails with Marina
Nobody cares what’s in the bottle. They care how it makes them feel. In this solo episode, Marina breaks down one of the most common mistakes in the non-alc industry: over-educating instead of emotionally connecting. If you’ve been pushing ingredients, benefits, and back labels instead of identity, aspiration, and community… this episode is your wake-up call. You’ll learn: Why taste and function are not the main reason people buy How to shift your brand from informative to irresistible What it actually takes to build a non-alc brand that people want to rep If you’re in the...
info_outline
Interview with Michelle LeBlanc, Mantra Kava & Botanical Bar's Founder
Mocktails with Marina
In this heartfelt episode, I sit down with Michelle LeBlanc, co-founder of Mantra Kava and Botanical Bar in DeLand, Florida, to talk about what it really takes to build a soulful, alcohol-free gathering space from the ground up. Michelle shares how her diverse background became an asset—not a detour—in launching a business rooted in the energy of the root chakra. We dive into the mission behind Mantra, the power of creating a true third space, and the importance of asking for help when you're stuck. From branding to balance, community to clarity, Michelle’s story is a powerful reminder...
info_outline
Interview with Kendall Bierman, Founder of Kendall B Therapy
Mocktails with Marina
In this powerful and relatable episode, we’re joined by Kendall Bierman, licensed therapist and founder of , who opens up about her journey from self-medicating in college to building a career helping others break free from the same patterns. Kendall shares how drinking once felt like a normal part of life; especially in environments where alcohol use is glamorized and going sober feels isolating. But through deep inner work and tough (yet transformative) choices, she not only got sober but discovered her calling: helping young adults navigate anxiety, substance use, and the complicated...
info_outline
Interview with Maggie Klaassens, Founder of The Sober Hive
Mocktails with Marina
In this episode, Marina sits down with Maggie Klaassens: alcohol-free coach, mom of three, and the founder of The Sober Summit and The Sober Hive. What started as a personal 100-day challenge to ditch alcohol turned into a purpose-filled mission to help gray area drinkers take back their lives and build a future they’re excited to wake up to. Maggie shares how she created a powerful three-day virtual summit that’s now changing lives across the globe, what “gray area drinking” really means, and why sober community and connection are the key to long-term transformation. She also gives us...
info_outline
bev brand builder: start your own non-alc product company today
Mocktails with Marina
In this episode of Mocktails with Marina, we're diving deep into the booming world of non-alcoholic product creation. If you've ever dreamed of launching your own functional beverage, sober-friendly tincture, or wellness powder, this is the episode you can’t afford to miss. Marina breaks down exactly why now is the perfect time to enter the non-alcoholic beverage industry, how to position your idea in a rapidly growing functional beverage market, and what most new CPG startups get wrong when launching. You’ll learn: Why consumer demand is skyrocketing for sober-curious, alcohol-free...
info_outline
Interview with Blind Tiger's Founder, Rebecca Styn
Mocktails with Marina
In this episode of Mocktails with Marina, host Marina sits down with Rebecca Styn, founder of Blind Tiger, a non-alcoholic cocktail company rooted in inclusivity, hospitality, and premium zero-proof experiences. Discover how Rebecca turned the challenges of the 2020 pandemic into a groundbreaking pivot that transformed her speakeasy-style bar, Room 33, into the birthplace of Blind Tiger—now one of the most celebrated non-alcoholic beverage brands on the market. We dive into: The story behind the name Blind Tiger and its ties to Prohibition-era speakeasies The challenges and wins of...
info_outline
Interview with Becky Moreno, Founder of Unity SoBar and Unity Recovery Solutions
Mocktails with Marina
In this powerful episode of Mocktails with Marina, host Marina sits down with Becky Moreno, founder of Unity SoBar and Unity Recovery Solutions, to explore the deeper meaning behind the growing non-alcoholic movement. Becky shares her raw and inspiring recovery journey—from navigating life as an alcoholic to becoming a bold leader in the sober entrepreneur space. Listeners will hear how Becky transformed her lived experience into a mission-driven business, creating alcohol-free environments that prioritize wellness, community, and connection. This episode dives into the heart of why sober...
info_outlineIn this episode of Mocktails with Marina, I share how our first year in business was more than just a career shift—it was a healing process. If you have ever felt burned out, stuck in the 9-5 grind, or unsure how to build a business that truly supports you, this episode is filled with real-world lessons, faith-driven perseverance, and insights from the growing non-alcoholic beverage industry.
Burnout is more than exhaustion; it is often a sign that something fundamental needs to change. For us, that realization came when we walked away from traditional employment. Our last jobs were not the problem, but they were the final wake-up call that made us redefine our careers. Starting our business was not just about making money—it was about figuring out what kind of work actually energized us, setting boundaries, and identifying where we had allowed others to dictate our careers. Through trial and error, we learned how to structure a business that aligned with our values and long-term vision.
This episode explores how the non-alcoholic industry is transforming nightlife and hospitality, why alcohol-free third spaces are on the rise, and how entrepreneurs in this space can create sustainable businesses. We also discuss the realities of business ownership versus traditional employment, including the true cost of working for someone else and why, in emerging markets like non-alcoholic bars and bottle shops, entrepreneurship often offers greater stability than relying on a paycheck.
We built this business from the ground up without bank loans, without savings, and without a safety net. What we did have was faith, a clear vision, and the discipline to listen to our clients' needs and build long-term relationships that provided stability. Every challenge reinforced the importance of creating value-driven businesses that support both financial growth and personal well-being. We also had to restructure our entire lives—cutting expenses, redefining our daily routines, and leaning into faith as we navigated uncertainty.
For anyone interested in launching or growing a business in the non-alcoholic industry, this episode covers key strategies for building a sustainable operation. Whether you are an entrepreneur looking to break into the alcohol-free movement, a hospitality professional considering the shift toward sober nightlife, or a business owner who wants to set better boundaries and charge what you are worth, this conversation provides valuable insights.
Visit www.marinamars.com/discoveryphaselaunchpad to learn more.
The non-alcoholic space is growing rapidly, and there has never been a better time to redefine what success looks like in this industry. This episode is about more than escaping burnout—it is about creating a business that allows you to thrive. Listen in as we share the lessons, challenges, and strategies that helped us transition from burnout to building a business that fuels us.