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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