Mocktails with Marina

In this episode of Mocktails with Marina, I sit down with Weston Porter, Head of Sales at Leilo, a leading brand in the functional beverage and non-alcoholic drink space. Weston shares his journey from being Leilo's fourth employee to spearheading the sales team, revealing valuable insights into the rapid growth of the non-alcoholic industry since 2021. https://leilo.com/ We explore how Leilo's ka...

Are you building a non-alcoholic third space like a kava bar, sober lounge, or functional beverage café? To succeed in this fast-growing industry, you need more than great drinks—you need a strong brand, smart marketing, and an effective sales strategy. In this episode, we cover: -How to brand your business so it stands out in the competitive functional beverage market -The best marketing strategi...

Did you know that most business owners waste 10+ hours per week just trying to manage their operations? That's over 40 hours a month—an entire week of lost time! But what if you could get a year's worth of progress in just ONE week? In this episode, I take you behind the scenes of our first-ever 1:1 Tech & Operations Bootcamp, where I worked with a client to completely overhaul their business in j...

In this episode of Mocktails with Marina, we tackle one of the biggest struggles for business owners—hiring and keeping great employees. If you've ever felt stuck in a cycle of hiring, training, losing employees, and starting all over again, this episode is for you. We'll discuss why hiring feels so hard, the hidden costs of getting it wrong, and how you can finally build a team that not only stic...

In this episode of Mocktails with Marina , we dive into the concept of and "Elegant Excellence" as the foundation for creating an effortless operation in your business. If you've ever felt stuck in the chaos of daily tasks, this episode will help you rethink how you work, so your business can run smoothly—even without you. We explore why true change starts with you and how small, intentional shift...

  In this episode of Mocktails with Marina , we dive into the untold history of kava bars and their pivotal role in shaping the non-alcoholic social movement in the United States. Long before the current boom in non-alcoholic bars, kava bars were creating unique, community-driven spaces focused on wellness, relaxation, and connection—without the need for alcohol. I share my personal journey with k...

In this insightful episode of Mocktails with Marina , Marina sits down with Matthew Lowe, Executive Director of the Kava Coalition, to explore the evolving landscape of kava culture and its potential as a global alternative to alcohol. Together, they discuss the findings of a groundbreaking nationwide survey revealing that there are over 21 million kava users in the United States , with 28% being...

In this episode of Mocktails with Marina , we sit down with Michael Hamway, co-owner of Kava Love Lounge, to dive deep into the kava and kratom industry. Michael shares his journey from a career in finance to accidentally discovering kava bars and eventually becoming a passionate advocate and business owner in the space. We discuss the unique community and culture surrounding kava bars, including...

In this final episode of Mocktails with Marina for 2024, Marina reflects on a groundbreaking year for the non-alcoholic industry and her community. The episode highlights key milestones, such as the non-alc beverage market reaching $1.3 trillion, the rise of functional beverages, and the success of savory, culinary-inspired cocktails. Marina shares stats from her own work this year, including 50 p...

In this episode, host Marina Castillo dives into the mission and vision of The Modern Mocktail. By helping non-alcoholic business owners, The Modern Mocktail aims to create a ripple effect of positive change. These entrepreneurs build inclusive third spaces where people can connect, relax, and celebrate without the pressure of alcohol. Marina shares how supporting these businesses can impact thous...

In this episode of Mocktails with Marina , Marina explores how fixing your energy can lead to more sales and consistent cash flow. If your business feels stuck or clients seem out of reach, it may be time to reflect on your commitment levels. Are you fully investing your energy in the courses, strategies, and daily tasks you've signed up for? Halfway commitment leads to halfway results, and money...

In this episode, we dive into the hidden reasons why most CEOs stumble and fail — and it's not due to a lack of intelligence or effort. We explore the emotional blind spots that catch leaders off guard: overconfidence, isolation, and burnout. These pitfalls quietly creep in, undermining even the most successful leaders. Through powerful analogies and real insights, we'll discuss the weight of lead...

In this episode, Marina dives into the importance of slowing down and reflecting as the year comes to a close. She shares why December is the perfect time to pause, celebrate wins, and learn from challenges, setting the stage for a stronger start in the new year. Marina reminds listeners that while January is for jump-starting, December is for wrapping up and honoring the journey. Through personal...

In this episode of Mocktails with Marina , we're diving into a topic every entrepreneur faces at some point: overwhelm. Feeling like there's too much to do and not enough time can stop even the most ambitious business owners in their tracks—but it doesn't have to. Marina breaks down the four most common reasons entrepreneurs feel overwhelmed and provides actionable mindset shifts to turn those cha...

In this episode, Marina dives into the essential yet often overlooked concept of optimization for non-alcoholic businesses. She paints a vivid picture of what happens when businesses operate in constant crisis mode—burnout, cash flow struggles, and systems that bottleneck growth. Marina invites listeners to consider how their businesses would survive without their constant involvement. Would it ke...

In this episode of Mocktails with Marina , we're diving into the 8 critical phases of building a successful non-alc business. From discovery to mastery, I'll walk you through each stage and break down the challenges, opportunities, key areas of focus, and common pitfalls to avoid along the way. Whether you're working on your first non-alc venture or scaling your 15th revenue stream, this episode i...

In this episode of Mocktails with Marina , we dive into a nuanced discussion on kratom and its role in the kava bar culture. I address why kratom is often misunderstood in smoke shops, where a lack of education and serving recommendations can lead to misuse. I also examine how some irresponsible kava bars misrepresent kratom by failing to educate customers. Drawing from my personal experiences, I...

In this episode, we're joined by Megan Klein, the CEO and founder of Little Saints, to explore her unconventional journey in the non-alcoholic CPG industry. Megan shares the story of how Little Saints came to be, highlighting the unique process behind their delicious and functional formulations. We dive into the beliefs that guide Megan as she navigates the challenges of running a fast-growing com...

In this episode of Mocktails with Marina , we dive into the exciting and transformative Discovery Phase of building your business. Whether you're just starting out in the non-alc industry or reimagining your current venture, this phase is all about exploration, connection, and taking that all-important first step. We discuss the power of community, authentic list building, and creating a solid fou...

From Burnout to Purpose: Building a Soulful, Sustainable Business In this episode, Marina reflects on her journey from running fast-paced, high-energy businesses to building a meaningful, purpose-driven venture in the non-alcoholic space. She shares how her first two businesses, though successful on paper, left her feeling empty and burnt out. After finding sobriety, faith, and her husband, she di...

In this episode of Mocktails with Marina , we sit down with Kayla Lewis, founder of NAPS Chicago (Non-Alc Party Scene), to dive into the world of non-alcoholic social events and the growing demand for more engaging, alcohol-free spaces. Kayla shares her journey, from recognizing the need for better social options for non-drinkers to organizing creative themed events like her upcoming Taylor Swift...

In this enlightening episode, we dive into the creative and inspiring journey of Derick Santiago, the mastermind behind @MocktailWiz. Derick shares his personal story of transformation from using alcohol as a coping mechanism after the loss of his mother in 2020, to becoming a pioneer in the mocktail industry. Listen as he recounts the inception of his first mocktail, a spicy pineapple margarita,...

In this special behind-the-scenes episode, your host Marina takes you on a personal journey through the creation of Bula Boss , a groundbreaking program designed to empower non-alc business owners to thrive, not just survive.   Marina explores the concept of burnout, sharing real-life experiences and strategies to avoid the entrepreneurial trap of overworking. She introduces the philosophy behind...

In this engaging installment of "Mocktails with Marina," Marina sits down with Brandon and Steve Rivero, the dynamic father-son duo behind Tea Time Drinks. This episode takes a deep dive into the world of kratom-infused beverages, exploring the inception and ethos of their family-run enterprise. Brandon and Steve share the heartwarming story of how Tea Time Drinks was born from a personal quest fo...

In this insightful episode of "Mocktails with Marina," host Marina welcomes Kristi Tanner, the visionary founder behind Sober Social Shop, a platform dedicated to fostering a vibrant community for those embracing a sober lifestyle. Kristi shares her personal journey and the motivations that led her to create Sober Social Shop, emphasizing the importance of building a business around strong persona...