S3. Ep. 245 From 30 Local Retailers to National Distribution at Walmart, Whole Foods and Thousands more with Jash Mehta, Founder of Pop and Bottle
“I definitely don’t know if I would have done it if I knew how difficult it was back then. But here we are, living to tell the tale,” says Jash Mehta, co-founder of Pop & Bottle, as she shares how she and her co-founder, Blair Hardy, started the company inspired by California’s farm-to-table culture and a commitment to plant-based eating.
From humble beginnings with a Vitamix in a small kitchen, they created dairy-free, no refined sugar, and organic beverages. Despite lacking a food and beverage background, their passion for clean living led them to craft products free from additives and preservatives, setting Pop & Bottle apart in the market.
Strategic marketing, eye-catching packaging, and partnerships with local tech and food delivery services helped them gain traction. Securing a spot in Whole Foods was a pivotal moment, validating their efforts and allowing them to scale.
Jash emphasizes the importance of community support, trusting one’s intuition, and being resourceful. She shares their future goals for Pop & Bottle, including expanding their product line and becoming a household name in the organic beverage market.
This episode of Dear FoundHer… explores how two friends turned their passion into a successful business, navigating the food and beverage industry with resilience and innovation.
Quotes
“We wanted to be organic certified. That was really important to us because we believe in our coffee and tea being organic. So we had to go through organic regulation, get certified, and do all of that. But again, what did that teach us? It taught us everything about supply chain and sourcing, and we’ve carried that knowledge forward as we’ve built the brand.” (17:30 | Jash Mehta)
“We sold ourselves and our story as much as we sold the product.” (27:45 | Jash Mehta)
“Don’t let this be a lonely journey. Find community. And don’t let anybody tell you or define the rules of your company or your business. Finding that inner voice as you balance out all of those outer voices is really, really important.” (43:39 | Jash Mehta)
Connect with Jash Mehta:
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/popandbottle
Grab Lindsay's Partnership Blueprint for Small Business: https://stan.store/lindsaypinchuk/p/get-your-ebook-now-the-partnership-blueprint
Connect with Lindsay Pinchuk and Dear FoundHer.
http://www.instagram.com/lindsaypinchuk
http://www.instagram.com/dearfoundher
Grab Lindsay’s JumpStart Your Business Blueprint:
https://lindsaypinchuk.myflodesk.com/11stepsforbusiness
If you like what you're hearing, please leave a rating or review at: https://ratethispodcast.com/dearfoundher
If you know a FoundHer... we should meet, please tell her to share her story with us here.
https://form.jotform.com/230008245758152
Don't forget to follow Lindsay on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindsaypinchuk
