Welcome to Resilient Entrepreneurs, the podcast where we celebrate the stories of successful business people who have overcome challenges and setbacks to build thriving businesses. Today's podcast guest is busy challenging the status quo and redefining the mocktail experience right here in Bermuda, and of course she's planning to go global. Frustrated by the lack of flavorful and unique mocktail options for the sober curious crowd, mixologist Davida O'Brien took matters into her own hands and created Vida Fusions, a ready to drink non alcoholic beverage that captures the essence of Bermuda. Her background is in Hospitality and Tourism and in fact, that's how I know Davida because we've worked together on several projects for the Bermuda Tourism Authority over the last few years. Davida, welcome to Resilient Entrepreneurs.
Thank you. Hi everybody.
Thank you so much for being here, we're really excited to talk to you today. We know that Vida Fusions is a fairly new business, you officially launched the company last year. So tell us, because we know this is a journey, what does it take to start up a beverage business?
Oh, wow, first an idea, right? The idea that you want to create a beverage, and then get your butt in the kitchen and start making those things and what that looks like. For me, it was just that I love creating drinks and things like that when I bartend for people who say, I don't know what I want, and you try to create something based on their mood and what their favourites were. And so I said, You know what, why not? And that's what I did. And so I based it on my favourites, and here it is. Okay, that's part of my ‘secret syrup’ that comes with it, and by then I was able to just mix different flavours with it, bring some Bermudian-inspired things with it and then it came to be what it is today. I'm so excited about it.
Vida Fusions, Davida. So tell us what Vida Fusions means and what does it means to you.
Vida is part of my name, as Davida, it's a Spanish name and so Vida, meaning life, bringing life and joy and things like that, and then Fusions is just the mixture of different flavours. And so I wanted to ensure that when you tasted it you felt like it was fusion happening in your mouth, you couldn't really narrow it down exactly what you're tasting, you have to keep trying to figure it out, you have to take more sips and I believe I accomplished that and people taste it, and so that's how I got Vida Fusions. I just like anybody who doesn't want to see their name in the bright spotlight.
Good on you girl!
It's kind of corny, but I was just like, I want to roll with it, and so for me, it's just about enjoying life, creating life for you, what does that look like? You should be able to enjoy life the way that you want to and that comes with your beverages when you go out and you're enjoying your social life. If you don't want to drink you should be able to do that and not feel some way about it either.
Yeah, I'm curious
Yeah, I like that you went the non-alcoholic route it's very different and unexpected in a good way because as someone that's often the designated driver or just didn't want to drink for an event, I always feel like having to go to a bar and get a big huge ginger ale always felt really awkward to be sitting there, drinking that, instead of drinking something that was fresh and fruity and looked as nice as my friends drinks, so what was your inspiration for creating a non-alcoholic drink?
So there was a few things right so firstly, when you think about Bermuda, we have this stigma that Bermudians like to drink, which is the case and it's not the case. During this journey I've met so many people that haven't had a drink in years, or just don't care to drink or for whatever reason they don't drink. So for me, I did my beverage first started out as an alcoholic beverage to be honest, and then unfortunately due to a lot of red tape when it came to alcoholic beverages, I had to pivot. So everything that I made within the alcohol I just flipped it to not alcohol and said, let me make a syrup and then from the syrup came the flavours and then I was like, I've got something here. But then I also took my life into consideration and I was just youngerlike, I can't drink the same way that I used to. My favourite drink now literally gives me a headache and the one drink that I stayed away from when I was younger is the one that does me good now, so I can't do the same. It takes me more time to get back on track after a night out from drinking, right? It's not just jump right up anymore. So sometimes when I go out, I'm sipping on one, or I don't want any at all but I want to be able to have something nice. I didn't want to just have to order a Shirley Temple. I wanted the glitz and the glam that everybody else had as well and so that's we're between all of that became this, I started to research more, I realised that the sober curious movement was really popular and was moving in the UK and making strides in the US, not so much here, I think our community is a little bit smaller, and that's just from a focal standpoint, but in fact, the community is pretty large here, but people just don't realise it.
When you talk about the glitz and glam, all of your marketing refers to some shimmer in your drinks, so tell us what that's about.
So again, when you think about having a non-alcoholic beverage, right, and just so we’re clear, when people say mocktails that’s usually mocking a cocktail. And I call mine non-alcoholic because I'm not necessarily mocking an alcoholic beverage, I'm creating something new, which I call lifestyle beverages. And so basically, when you think of Cosmos, or the Sex on the Beach, they come with all the pretty umbrellas or the fancy glasses, I was just like, well, if they're gonna be serving my drink at a bar, it needs to look just as good or stand toe to toe with theirs. And so basically, we have these shimmers that you can add, which you can totally add on your own but imagine if it just automatically has it, right. And you don't have to think about it. So it's already picturesque for you automatically, as soon as you get it you can go take pictures, go with the sun, you could do all of that. And so I said you know what, I'm going to add the shimmer to it, let's see how this goes, and it's been a hit. So it's been wonderful.
It's fantastic. It works so well with your marketing and the whole Bermuda theme. And I know Bermuda’s beautiful, shimmering oceans at certain times of day and oh my goodness, and it's so glitzy and glammy, it's exciting. So congrats on all of that, you’re a marketing machine Davida.
I learned a little bit from Laura!
Yes, rubbing off, I love it.
It's been a good journey but it's not been all glitz and shimmer. It has been hard work for sure, and I'm not out of the woods yet.
Yes, so what have been your biggest challenges?
Time. When you're a single entrepreneur, there's not much you can hand off to anybody, so how are you balancing that? I'm also a full time staff with BTA - Bermuda Tourism Authority, I also am a parent of one. So it's a lot to juggle at times finding sleep, trying to make sure that you give a little piece to everybody but also to yourself, then you have multiple deadlines because when you get into programs and stuff like that you have things to do. You have mentors who you're meeting with and yeah, it can be overwhelming. But I believe that it's worth it, I feel it within me that this journey is worth it. I feel like it's gonna be something more than I could expect. The conversations that I have with people when they taste it, or they are just talking about it, it really motivates me to just keep going because now I feel like I'm not doing it just for me or my son, which is something I would like to hand down to him, I feel like I'm doing it for everybody now, right? Because everybody's like, well, “when is it coming out? I can't wait.”, “I don't drink. I want to have something like this”, and I’m thinking, “OK now I have to get it done.”
Can’t let them down.
Yeah, I can’t let them down right? It's a good motivation. And nobody really wants you to see that you just didn't take those risks, right, and you just quit and just say I'm not going to do it. I’d rather take the risk knowing that for whatever reason if it didn't work it didn't, but at least I tried.
So you mentioned about mentorship. You've done some accelerator programs, like what have those done for you? How have they helped you progress?
I was in Ignite for a whole different programme, however the information and education that I received from it, still walks with me today. And then I'm in BEDCs (Bermuda Economic Development Corporation) cohort five Entrepreneurship Program and I graduated at the end of June. The best thing from it is the networking.
When I built Vida Fusions, I'm a huge believer on connections and networking. And so for me, it was, again with the shimmer, it was saying, if I put this in the drink, and you're there sitting at the bar and you have it, automatically somebody's gonna say to you, “What are you drinking? What is that?”. And then you spark this conversation, next thing you're exchanging numbers, or you're on the dance floor together, so you're meeting people, right? So it's all about building connections, as well as building some inclusivity as far as being part of that social bond and life when you're out. And so building those networks, and those connections are something that you cannot pay for. To this day, we still have group chats, we can call on, we can ask questions, we can assist, I'm there to always assist people as well. So the knowledge is great, just letting you know what you should be looking at and what you should be doing, introducing you to accounting persons and marketing and so on. But again, I think it's the people, the people definitely.
Isn't that what it boils down to? It's always about the human connection, right? That makes us who we are, and gives us the courage and gives us the inspiration. Very, very cool. So you said it wasn't all glimmer and shimmer, were there hard times? What was the hardest?
I don't know if I could just point out one! There were definitely some hard times, not just one, when you become an entrepreneur, there's nobody who's perfect, but unless you just have, I guess an amazing product and whatnot, I don't know a lot of people that just just jump up and just be like, “I got it”, and don't have doubts, I mean, at least I haven't met them yet.
But there were definitely doubts. When you become an entrepreneur, that's your baby. You know what I mean? And so you're not ready to give your baby to others or let people into your baby, because you don't know how they're going to be, you don’t know how they're going to like it, are they gonna agree with you, are they gonna shut it down. And so it was nerve racking, doubts within itself can be overwhelming, because you tell yourself so much that it can get you to either fall back or even give up. So that in a lot can hold a person down, and it did that for me at times. But again, just remember why I'm doing this, my why, which is for my son. My why is because I'm providing connections to people and networking to people. My why, because I wanted to build an inclusive social life for people, it keeps me going.
The struggle is finding, again just whether or not I have the time to do it, it's just a lot. I mean, do I have enough time to give to this and give to that? So being able to give myself grace and time, being able to champion my small wins as small as they are, to champion and get excited about it so that I keep refuelling myself to keep moving forward. I don't think we do enough of it. I'm not perfect, so there are times I still fall short. And I'm so grateful for the friends and family that I have that support me to be able to say “No, what you're doing is great.”, “Or no you're doing that great job”, just those little incentives or comments, they help and push me along.
But definitely, there have been some struggles, where I've cried, I just didn't want to do it or I took a week off and then regretted it… because I just couldn't take enough. When you're battling again, the work and this, you sit down and say, “I have a nine to five I could just work there for the rest of my life.” And then I remember, your goal is to work from a cruise ship. That's what I say. I say work from a cruise ship, and because working from a cruise ship means that I'm on my own time. I don't have to be in an office, I can do my work from anywhere, and I get to sit and enjoy the beautiful breeze and scenery as a work office. So I keep that vision every time I think I want to fall back into my hole, it’s like “no, you want to be on a boat’. It's definitely hard work. And being able to have what your motivations are and what your ‘whys’ are, so that you can continuously reflect on them, I think it helps to get you there.
I'm coming with you on the cruise, we'll have adjoining rooms, we’ll be drinking (Vida Fusions), every day…
In fact, I think that should be in your future planning on launching, because I think they're so perfect for cruising, because honestly, we don't need to really be drinking on a cruise because being drunk on a cruise ship is not exactly fun.
Let me tell you, when you're an entrepreneur, it's just like, you know how if you're with a chef, my sister’s a chef and sometime sI say, “I don’t want to eat out with her”, because she keeps that chef hat on every time. And so for me, everywhere I go I see opportunity. I see opportunity where people who don't want to drink are not being part of the conversation. You go through the airport, and there's just bars and I just have a glimpse of the menu and I'm like, “Oh, interesting.” Or I see these specific types of bars and I'm like, “Oh, interesting.” So I have plotted down everything where I am just, “yep, we're going to pop up here, we're gonna pop there, and here and everywhere.” Because it's just so funny until you're in it, you're not even consciously thinking about it. There's so much opportunity not only where I see gaps within the United States who have taken this movement to another level, but obviously, I've seen it so much here in Bermuda, that I can be able to create things and do things here in my home. So I'm happy and excited about that, too.
I'm excited to see this Vida Fusions on the shelves already, and in fridges. And it was just as you were talking about going through airports and so forth. It's fabulous. Yeah, and it is a growing industry, the sober curious, the non-alcoholic industry. There's no non-alcoholic beers, and there's so much out there now, which is so important for the reasons that you've stated.
I've had it I think the act of classic desiccating the accent passionate, muted.
So the first Yeah, it's fine. No, I was just commenting. We're all good.
No worries. No worries.
Yeah, as you're saying it's a growing industry. So you're getting into something at the very early stage of the industry.
The market research has shown phenomenal growth within the US within the UK and Europe, and thus far when it comes to mocktail beverages. And the part is that there's a few different areas in which you can go in, so for instance, we have what we like to say, we’ll call mocktails, which typically are the ones that mimic a cocktail, so you have frescos or, your gin and tonics and things of that nature. And then obviously you have your regular non-alcoholic beverages, which are like your sodas and your juices and things like that. And then you go into what you call functioning beverages, which have things like adaptogens, and aromatics, and could be your CBD-infused beverages anything that makes or alters your feeling, you have those types. So again, when I thought about that, I didn't want to mimic a cocktail, I didn't want to provide any function to you, because I think of myself and Vida is life, and so you have all of that in you already, that you could just bring out and you didn't need all of that alterations and stuff going on. I just wanted to bring you something different. Fusing different flavours together, having a burst of flavour in your mouth, not sharing what it is, closing your eyes and thinking you're in Bermuda. I wanted to be able to, of course, putting my tourism and hospitality hat on, which never really comes off, but this is a great way to expand Bermuda’s reach and people to find out about it and, and being able to say “wow I need to go to Bermuda” based on how I want to brand my bottles, so that people can learn more about Bermuda as well and have those conversations about it. So it's a great opportunity and I think that I fell in a nice category that's just different from the other categories as well.
Tell us a little bit about like, the fusions that you're talking about and the flavours and maybe some of the inspiration behind that.
Wow, so the fusion comes with the special syrup that I create on my own, plus the flavour I want to create, so the syrup alone has multiple flavours in it already. And so then when you take that syrup and then you mix it with one of my creations like I have a Spicy Mango, you're like, “I feel like I taste the mango, I taste the heat, but there's some other stuff in there too.” And so that creates that fusion, and then because the beverages are carbonated there’s a lot of mouthfeel going on in your mouth as well. One thing I like when I talk about hospitality and tourism, and in my projects as well, are all about the five senses. If you can hit at least three of those senses, then people will remember you. And so I get you from a visual, when it comes to the shimmer and the colour, I get you from the taste, I get you from the feeling, which is the mouthfeel that you get in your mouth from the carbonation, the hearing of the portion of it because you hear is buzzing when you pop the cap and all of that, so it’s all of this you gotta go through and I'm missing one, which is touch, I believe it is. The shape of the bottle, when you pick it up, it's a cute fancy little bottle. So in some shape or form I try to hit everybody's five senses. So you don't get the regular 12 ounce bottle you get a 6.8 ounce bottle, which is very cute, and for me you could put it in your purse, all of that sort of stuff, so I took all of this into consideration in the hopes that it becomes something memorable for people.
Congratulations, you said that you came from an entrepreneurial background, but that you were late to the game. What did you mean by that?
So my dad is, he was in hotel and tourism and he basically had his own construction business. So he started entrepreneurship really early, developing that, He was also known as the Soup Man. It wasn't a business bringing in funds, but it was something that he was doing for the homeless. I mean, he would create soups and entrepreneuring doing that. And then my sister, Dakia who you may know from Wild Wings Wednesdays had her own wings shop. And she has had multiple ventures. So she's had that, she does her pop ups, she also does kids meals, then she did a few other things, now she's got a charge locker. So she's always hustling through the entrepreneur game. She always encouraged me and I was just like, I got things to do, and I would just sit on these ideas and then again, you stop to think, what am I teaching my son or leaving for my son? You have an idea, you should move on it. If you have an interest, you should move on it, what does that look like? So I came up with this. Thankfully, my sister has been very much supportive of this again, my family is very supportive, and so that's what I meant that I'm a late bloomer, my sister is going onto number six, and I'm just coming out with my one, so I gotta catch up.
Do you have a notebook full of other ideas?
Yes. I looked at it one time, it was so funny. So you know how you meet with people, and they always say, whatever you do great, If you do that, then you'll never feel like you're working, what is your thing? I was just like, What is my thing? I don't know what that is. And it's so funny that as I was going through that, I think I was doing one of those things online where I was putting in things I liked… and they called me a creative somethin somethin. I said, “That's what I want?”. So basically, you tell me something, or I’ve just done something, or maybe I passed by something and all of a sudden I have ideas coming out of my ying yang. And so basically, yes, I have a full list because every time I come past something, or every time I have a bright idea, or somebody says something, I have multiple ideas. So I'm just needing this one to take off, and the rest of it will flow.
I have a feeling this one has a really good chance of taking off given the amount of work that you've put into it already and the research and this doesn't sound like an idea. This is a business in the creation. And I think it's wonderful that, there you were sitting on it, kind of the late bloomer, but actually you were probably just brewing all your entrepreneurial spirit so when it comes out, it's powerful. Just hit the mark first time.
I think you’re right, they say that, it's a time and a place for everything right? Or when you do it. And we may say that you should have started earlier when we look at some of these entrepreneurs that started at 20, and 15 now with influencers and things like that, you're like, if I would have just started earlier. But would I have been ready earlier? I'm not too sure. Would I have had the connections that I have now, would I have had the mindset that I have now, the education that I have now? I don't think so. So, I am with you that it was my time, that it was my time. The idea came when it was supposed to, and everything fell into place just how it was supposed to and I am very grateful and happy about the journey thus far and looking forward to the future for sure.
I think the only real difference by starting later versus starting earlier, if you start earlier you get more failures under your belt, and then you just, you learn and you grow, and you keep building. So you know, you just, you've already been, you don't need to worry about all that you're already there, and there's nothing wrong. And I think the majority of entrepreneurs start in their 40s, I think it's very normal to start your entrepreneurial life in your 40s and 50s, and even 60s and beyond, because you've amassed that experience, like you said, networks, confidence to try to take a risk, cause it is risky.
It definitely is, again, the biggest risk is just putting yourself out there. I know, and that's for me, people will say that sometimes it's the money and it's all of this, not the way the world works now, the biggest risk is just literally just putting yourself out there, right? Because there's so many things you can do without putting so much money into it, in businesses, but for me, it was just putting myself out there, putting myself out there for the world to know that I was doing this or just seeing this, because once it's out there everybody's just like, “Okay, so where can I come? Or where can I go?” And it's really hard to turn back from that. And so doing different things like BEDC’s Entrepreneurship Week and their Women's Conference, and then I did a One Communications project, and all of that stuff and BEDC’s podcast, it's going viral. And then I have another project coming up real soon. That’s viral stuff. You don't know how people are going to take it, you don't know if people are going to be positive or negative. As much as you stay focused, and you stay positive, the negativity can hurt a bit too, right? But you’re just putting yourself out there full of faith and just saying, “Hey, here I am, here's my story, this is what I'm doing and take me.” It’s very risky.
It is very vulnerable, right? It's that vulnerability.
Exactly.
It's your baby. Well, I have to say, and for anyone who's just listening to this versus watching it on YouTube, you must go check out her branding because Davida, your branding, it’s gorgeous.
Oh my god, one thing about me, I am definitely pro female. That doesn't mean I don't mix with the gentlemen but I'm a total believer in just empowering each other, and my brand an d my logo was done by a Bermudian who’s in the UK, Che, and she came up with it. She came up with three different things, this one jumped out, and I thought this one’s nice, and I believe it was in black and white. It was a black and white the first time I got it. And I said, “oh, I need some colours.” My personality is very bubbly, so I need some colour, I need some stuff. And then she put colours to it and I was just not feeling that. And then I talked to my best friend and we said let's see if we can figure this out and it was like, there she was. That's how it came to be, I wanted something that if I wanted to add more to it, I could but also something that could stand alone, right? It was memorable, when you see it once you remember it, and so she definitely nailed it.
For sure, it speaks to you doesn't it? And it has that cocktail feel about it, It looks like it could be an alcoholic brand. Absolutely.
Exactly, it is the fusion going through the Vida.
I tell you the first thing I see is the cocktail glass. The V is a cocktail glass, that's what stood out to me one time. It's just like the upside down so it's like the beginning and the end of a, there's a whole thing, there’s a whole thing I read in that.
I can definitely go walk away and see and this is all about the creative mind. You just said something and now I have something in my head.
It's right there. It's perfect. Yeah, I've been wanting to tell you for a while. I think your branding is absolutely gorgeous.
Davida, what do you think would be one of the most important concepts for success?
Personally, for me, the most important thing for my success, and I believe is being authentic. Everything that I do I try to be very authentic. From the time that you meet me, my personality when we're talking, you get me, you don't get somebody else you get me the whole way through, I want to make sure that my product speaks to that as well. Being very authentic to what it is and what it's supposed to be, for you. That for me, I think has gotten me thus far and very far. And then when we start to get into other things, the most important thing to create a success was knowing my numbers, oh my gosh.
Yes, the accountants listening will definitely be happy to hear that. It's the truth. It's so true.
Oh my God, that was it hand in hand, just bringing my authentic self every time. People meeting me and telling my story, making sure that my customer experience is what it should be and more, I'm very huge on experiences and so I feel like my authentic self brings that and my brand brings that, but after that, regardless of what my brand looks like, regardless of what everything else, if I don't know my numbers, it just wasn't moving. And so I had everything else, all the creative because that's my area, so I had all this, but there were all these unanswered questions because I didn't know what my numbers were, I didn't know what it would cost me or what it would take and putting it down, the things that I shy away from because I'm not a numbers person. So for me, it was definitely the authentic-ness, knowing my numbers, and then of course we spoke before just networking and connections. You never know who's within your circle, you never know who you will meet or who you're talking to, and so just connecting and putting yourself out there to introduce yourself and to meet people. So I would say those are my three things to be successful.
Thanks. Do you listen to anyone, podcasts, read books of certain authors, are you following any one that you want to share?
Again, that's my time and my balance.
Fair.
I try as much as I can but sometimes it's hard, so I will say at the present time, I don't have a particular person. But as people send stuff, I do try to take a minute to listen to, and grab that information and see what I can take from it. But my goal is, at some point, to settle down. I have books and start reading a little bit, and changing gears and stuff like that. So that is on my to do list.
We totally hear you on that, we actually started a book club just because I need to make reading part of my job. So that I make the time to read because it's absolutely so hard to balance at all.
And I joined it because I've always wanted to join a book club, but I need to get into it. What I say is it's always that initial step, so the fact that I've joined, to me is an initial step, and then what is my next step - is to actually read the book, or go look for it on audible, so I can listen to it while I’m walking to work, everything or every success starts with one step.
Oh, I think you've nailed something right there that more people need to hear. It's that action, that first step. Because having a notebook full of ideas, having that idea that won't leave you and you're constantly thinking about, doesn't end up anywhere unless you take action. And you've taken some amazing action that you just told us about, from the accelerators, to the networking, to the getting out there and sharing, to getting on podcasts, talking to people, being vulnerable, sharing your thing, because it's very true, a lot of us think if I share this thing, someone else is gonna steal it. Right? Have you had that fear?
If you haven't had it, I mean, shoot, let's think about Facebook. Everybody’s seen the Facebook movie, right? What did they do? They shared a brought somebody in and bang, everybody has that feeling, you want to keep your baby close to you, you don't want anybody to steal your idea. And you definitely don't want somebody who has deeper pockets than you to steal it, right? Because they can go and just do it right away. I had to get out of that. Ignite taught me that, BEDC taught me that. You just can’t, BEDC threw me into the wolves because I had to do the Global Entrepreneurship Week so at that point it was no more hiding anyways. I had to realise that nobody's going to do it like me. I bring something different to the table with my product and that's where my authenticness comes from. Somebody who's just out there to make money is just going to go ahead, they're going to not duplicate the beverage itself, but will probably duplicate the shimmer in the bottle. And that's fine, you go do your thing, but they're gonna miss the authenticness of it, they're going to miss the customer experience which I'm creating for every customer that picks up my beverage, the connection to, because that's what the market is looking for. They're looking for those connections now. I can have any drink, I can buy anything, there's so many varieties out there, but what is it that people are looking for? “I want to be able to connect to this”, because that becomes my brand of choice all the time and every time. And so I had to let that go, and I put that aside and realised what my special powers were, quote, unquote, that I was bringing to the table and also, I did my research. I know that there was a product on the market before that had shimmer in it and I realise why we never saw it, why they failed, why it didn’t last, what's the difference, and which way that I create mine to ensure that it doesn't have those same failures. I put a lot of work into my tastings and thinking of what mixes with what. But the biggest thing is that my syrup, they can't duplicate that. So even though they're going to try to make a Spicy Mango, they're not going to have that key ingredient, which is my personalised syrup that I add to it. And so again, it is just like Coca Cola, they kept their syrup close to the heart, you can go try to mimic but it was that syrup that did it. So I don't have that feeling anymore, but it takes a minute to get over it. So my advice to people is to sit with your product, sit with what you’re serving and realise what that special power, that you are bringing to your table that somebody can’t mimic. So they might be able to mimic the product to a certain extent, but there are things that you bring to the table that they just wouldn't be able to.
Yeah, and it's so true, because we're all so unique and we come from unique backgrounds and experiences. So you're a mix of your hospitality background, your mixology background, like to bring all these things together, where you're from, who you are, your personality, that's what makes Vida Fusion so special, and nobody can replicate that. And that's what people need to know, no matter what it is you're doing, what service you have, what products you're trying to sell, it's your own secret sauce that no one else can mimic. It's a good thing to remember. So if you had a crystal ball, and you're looking into it, five years, 10 years from now, what do you see for Davida and Vida Fusions?
Well I see myself on a cruise boat, let’s get that out of the way first! Look, developing more flavours for my expanding brand, I just want it to be a global name, a household name, people recognise it, people know it. I'm empowering other people or even younger versions of myself to do it. I definitely want to be able to have my own accelerator or program to help people specifically through the beverage industry. I want to be able to create things here in Bermuda to make it easier for people to go international within the beverage industry. So being able to set some stones down for that. Definitely being on some major shelves, some major chain line shelf shelves, Target, the Walmarts, the Trader Joe's, and definitely if not in conversations about how I'm expanding internationally. So yeah, I'm hoping that, I have so many, like I said, so many big plans for it and I just need, just in case anybody’s listening, that one or two investors to feel my passion and feel the excitement and have it as well because we could do some things with this, we can definitely do some things with this on. I'm definitely not a one and done or what I call a one hit wonder. I have multiple things of expansions and products and how to sell and stuff like that. So if anybody's listening and feels it and wants to be a part of it, let me know. Happy to sit down and talk with you.
I'm glad you brought that up. I'm really glad you brought that up with investing because I think that's something people don't understand, that side of things with this type of industry to go global to be big, there has to be some investment in the start to, to have that scale, and that's hard. But that's important to have this conversation.
It is and one thing that I've learned is that, we say that we want investors and then we're just like Okay, I want investors, give me money this and that, but really sitting down and thinking about what that investor would look like, just the same way that you think about your target market and you have to draft up that profile, I put together my profile of what I imagine my investor or investors to be. I don't want somebody who just wants to throw money at me and them just expecting a return because they see that this can go far, I actually want, I want a buddy, I want somebody to bounce off ideas, I want this to grow together, because if you're investing in me, then you should feel the passion and feel it too. And then, when that happens, and you're building that friendship, or that bond, or that business relationship, then you have the support, right? When it comes to things that you need to question and you’re asking, and you can split things. You're on the same page because you again, you value that and things of that nature. So, I'm not saying I'm picky about my investors but I would like somebody that can be more of just an investor but more like a partner, that’s what I’m looking for.
Thanks Davida, I think the investment piece is really key and I see that coming for you, and hopefully this is that call out to the universe, for you, the right person, that partner. Whether it's a silent partner or a full-in, right along with your partner, the right person will come. And I think you should wait for that right person because I think that's going to take it to the next level and you're going to need that. Anybody who wants to scale will need partnership.
Based on my numbers I know I'm going to need it. See, but knowing your numbers, like I said, that helps. And the research and just going international alone, the amount of people I've had to talk to from beverage formulation companies to distributors and to manufacturers and what's more logical, big or small, closer to the East Coast or far over the West Coast or do I even go over to the UK, it's so many moving pieces to put it all together. So again, having that investor and one that, perhaps is knowledgeable within that industry would help as well. But again, just the way that I'm learning, I can learn with them too.
Need Shark Tank, where’s Shark Tank or Dragons Den, in the UK there’s Dragon's Den.
I did say, you’re at risk of putting yourself out there, I’m not sure I’m ready for Shark Tank. I think I'll be ready though.
Davida, I think if you got a phone call from Shark Tank, you would be ready. You would make sure you're ready. Exactly. I know you wouldn't say no.
No, I wouldn't.
There's one question that we ask all our guests. And we would love to ask you, what do you consider resilience to be? What does resilience mean to you?
Just never stopping, just continuing. Always never quitting, getting back up. For me, I guess being resilient and pushing forward and moving forward and every morning waking up and just saying I got this. There could be a few things but for me right now is just the motivation of getting up and doing it. And totally being resilient at it, being at it continuously and constantly. Pitch decks and business plans and phone calls and all of this just being at it, I gotta do it and just keeping trucking along because it can be so overwhelming. Entrepreneurship is hard. Especially in the beginning stages, I don't know what it's like in the further stages, I'm not there yet, but I do know it's hard in advance seeing my sister and my dad and doing things with them. So it's, you have your easy days, but in order to continuously have more easier days you have to continue to be resilient in what you're doing and pushing through. And so for me, it's just again, remembering my ‘why’ that I just don't feel like doing it, and I just don't, I just remember thinking about my son, I gotta keep him in school. I got to do this or I want to be on that cruise boat and I'm only gonna get there if I'm working for myself, and just continuously being resilient.
Incredibly well said, because you're either building your dream or someone else's. So yeah, it's an amazing thing to be able to build your own dream. And we have no doubt that big dreams are coming to you. I'm seriously excited to be on that cruise ship with you celebrating, clinking our glasses.
I can’t wait to have a big launch on the cruise boat, see, that’s in the future, a big launch on there.
I think that's sooner than you think. I think that's coming really soon for you, because I think you've got all the right things in place, right people in place, and investors coming along soon. We're gonna see you in bars in New York City and grocery stores everywhere in the UK. I have no doubt because I really can see the future for this business, I think you've done a great job so far. And I know you, and you're amazing and I'm super excited for what's coming. So thank you so very much for joining us today. It's been a great conversation, hopefully very inspiring to anyone else that's out there that's got a notebook full of ideas. Find the one, go for it. Take a chance, take that risk. Start building, take that first piece of action, get some mentorship. That's another great piece of advice you shared today, and go for it because hey, we got dreams to build, let's do some big things. Thank you so much Davida, I really appreciate your time.
Thank you guys for having me. Appreciate it.
