Ep71 $500M: OLIPOP Explodes the USA Soda Market

Jul 28, 2024

David Lester and Ben Goodwin, the dynamic duo behind OLIPOP, share their journey of revolutionizing the soda market with healthier alternatives. They discuss the rigorous four-year trial leading to their 2018 launch and their ambitious $500 million sales goal for 2024. The conversation delves into the balance of taste and health, the emotional rollercoaster of entrepreneurship, and the importance of resilience. They even touch on their quirky collaboration with a popular franchise, showcasing creativity in brand partnerships.

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Intro

00:00 • 2min

Navigating Entrepreneurship: The OLIPOP Journey

01:43 • 19min

Balancing Functionality and Branding in Beverage Marketing

20:45 • 12min

Navigating Investor Dynamics in Startup Success

32:40 • 2min

Embracing Unconventional Opportunities in Brand Partnerships

34:13 • 2min

Prioritizing Sales and Distribution Over Marketing for Early-Stage Brands

36:04 • 3min

Navigating Growth and Resilience

39:21 • 7min

$500M: OLIPOP explodes the USA Soda Market

Join us for Fiona Fitz’s recent conversation with OLIPOP Co-Founder & President David Lester, recorded live at the Bread and Jam Festival.

OLIPOP Co-Founders David Lester and Ben Goodwin landed on the foundational recipe for “a new kind of soda”, redefining how consumers perceived the category. OLIPOP has successfully persuaded consumers to swap out sugary, familiar favourites for healthier alternatives.

In colourful cans with vintage logos and fantastic flavours, OLIPOP aims to smash its target of $500 million in sales in 2024.

Listen to this episode and find out how they've done it.

David reveals:

The eight-year journey behind OLIPOP's rapid growth, explaining that despite its apparent surge since the 2018 launch, the company actually underwent a crucial four-year trial process beforehand.

The importance of balancing taste with health benefits and the rollercoaster of emotions that comes with being a founder.

We all expected this interview to be about how he and Ben grew the business. In fact, David offers candid insights on ego, vulnerability, and the true meaning of success.

If you are still alive then you are succeeding.

Useful links:

https://drinkolipop.com/

Bread and Jam Festival

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Thanks to our Sound Engineer, Gyp Buggane, Ballagroove.com and our social media manager/podcast producer, Kathryn Watts, Social KEWS.

Ep71 $500M: OLIPOP *Explodes* the USA Soda Market

Ep71 $500M: OLIPOP Explodes the USA Soda Market