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In this high-energy, entrepreneurial episode, Brooke sits down with Ethan Cisneros, founder of the beloved Utah-based drink and treat chain Thirst. Ethan dives deep into how he started the company at just 22 years old and scaled it into a rapidly growing business built on branding, customer experience, and unapologetic hustle. From hand-delivering cookies on Instagram to using content creation as a hiring tool, Ethan offers a masterclass in what it means to obsess over your customer and build community through food and drinks.
Whether you're a budding entrepreneur, a fan of Thirst, or just love stories about big dreams and bold execution, this episode delivers both inspiration and practical insights in equal measure.
Key Takeaways
[04:18] Starting Small, Dreaming Big: Ethan started with a lawn-mowing business as a kid, learning customer service and hard work early on.
[05:37] The Power of Experience: A shaved ice shack taught him that customers pay for the experience, not just the product.
[12:12] Content = Currency: Ethan built his team and brand through content, using social media not just to promote but to recruit and retain top talent.
[23:14] Unique Offerings: Thirst stands out with fresh-baked pretzels and beignets, made from scratch at every location.
[28:01] Scaling Challenges: Ethan’s focus shifted from operations to cultivating culture and leadership as the company grew.
[30:07] Positivity as a Strategy: Thirst’s motto, “Positivity is infectious,” drives their team and customer interactions.
[34:50] Long-Term Vision: Ethan sees Thirst as a lifelong venture, aiming to compete with giants like Sonic in the drinks-and-treats market.
Notable Quotes
(16:55) “When you have more time than money, that’s when you need to hustle.”
(32:46) “We don’t train [employees to give free drinks], but we do train to wow the customer—within reason, do whatever it takes.”
(20:10) “Slow and steady wins the race. We’ve been around for almost 10 years, but I truly feel like we’re just getting started.”
(39:09) “I’m grateful for my grandpa’s work ethic. It got passed to my dad, then to me, and now I want to pass it to my son.”
Resources
Visit the official Thirst website.
Follow Ethan and Thirst on Instagram
Follow Female Foodie on Instagram
4.9
117117 ratings
Join thousands of other listeners on our Substack, The Foodletter!
In this high-energy, entrepreneurial episode, Brooke sits down with Ethan Cisneros, founder of the beloved Utah-based drink and treat chain Thirst. Ethan dives deep into how he started the company at just 22 years old and scaled it into a rapidly growing business built on branding, customer experience, and unapologetic hustle. From hand-delivering cookies on Instagram to using content creation as a hiring tool, Ethan offers a masterclass in what it means to obsess over your customer and build community through food and drinks.
Whether you're a budding entrepreneur, a fan of Thirst, or just love stories about big dreams and bold execution, this episode delivers both inspiration and practical insights in equal measure.
Key Takeaways
[04:18] Starting Small, Dreaming Big: Ethan started with a lawn-mowing business as a kid, learning customer service and hard work early on.
[05:37] The Power of Experience: A shaved ice shack taught him that customers pay for the experience, not just the product.
[12:12] Content = Currency: Ethan built his team and brand through content, using social media not just to promote but to recruit and retain top talent.
[23:14] Unique Offerings: Thirst stands out with fresh-baked pretzels and beignets, made from scratch at every location.
[28:01] Scaling Challenges: Ethan’s focus shifted from operations to cultivating culture and leadership as the company grew.
[30:07] Positivity as a Strategy: Thirst’s motto, “Positivity is infectious,” drives their team and customer interactions.
[34:50] Long-Term Vision: Ethan sees Thirst as a lifelong venture, aiming to compete with giants like Sonic in the drinks-and-treats market.
Notable Quotes
(16:55) “When you have more time than money, that’s when you need to hustle.”
(32:46) “We don’t train [employees to give free drinks], but we do train to wow the customer—within reason, do whatever it takes.”
(20:10) “Slow and steady wins the race. We’ve been around for almost 10 years, but I truly feel like we’re just getting started.”
(39:09) “I’m grateful for my grandpa’s work ethic. It got passed to my dad, then to me, and now I want to pass it to my son.”
Resources
Visit the official Thirst website.
Follow Ethan and Thirst on Instagram
Follow Female Foodie on Instagram
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