In this episode, I'm joined by Victor Guardiola, founder of Bawi—a better-for-you sparkling agua fresca brand inspired by his Mexican roots. Victor grew up drinking aguas frescas made with fresh fruit and a lot of sugar. When he couldn't find a version that honored the tradition but felt better for the body, he created one himself.

Bawi is a love letter to culture and community—crafted with real ingredients, bold flavor, and a fresh take on a nostalgic classic. Through the brand, Victor is not only sharing a drink he grew up loving—he's helping reshape the narrative around what Latino-inspired beverages can be in today's market.

Inside the episode

• How Victor's upbringing and heritage inspired him to launch a better-for-you version of a beloved drink

• The strategy behind balancing authenticity and health while bringing aguas frescas to a broader audience

• Advice for founders navigating identity, storytelling, and product innovation

This podcast episode was made possible by Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds is a platform that connects everyday, smaller creators with brands to share in-store user-generated content, drive brand awareness in specific retailers, and capture competitive market share. They're an awesome platform that I recommend to all my clients that you should absolutely check out. Go to hummingbirds.com for all the details.