Cut The Tie Podcast with Thomas Helfrich

Episode 261

In this high-energy episode of Cut the Tie, Thomas sits down with Chris Wolstenholme, an Aussie entrepreneur based in Atlanta who went from managing restaurants to founding the world’s first vodka protein water brand: Mate!. Chris shares the real story behind launching a beverage startup without outside funding, the gross moment that finally pushed him to quit his job, and how cutting the tie to comfort opened the door to purpose, grit, and global ambition.

About Chris Wolstenholme:
Chris is the founder of Mate Beverage, a unique alcohol startup combining vodka with protein. After 20+ years in the restaurant and hospitality industry across multiple countries, Chris made the leap into entrepreneurship with no investors—just a vision, a supportive spouse, and a mop in hand. His brand “Mate” is a bold attempt to redefine “drinking smart,” and he’s doing it one pitch, one bar, and one bottle at a time.

In this episode, Thomas and Chris discuss:

• Cutting the Tie to Comfort
  From restaurant GM to startup founder, Chris had to walk away from a stable paycheck and step into financial uncertainty to chase a bigger dream.
• The Bathroom Epiphany
   It took cleaning vomit off a restaurant bathroom floor—for minimum wage—for Chris to finally realize it was time to bet on himself.
• Why Mate is Different
  No bubbles. No bloat. No empty calories. Chris breaks down the unique niche Mate fills in a crowded beverage market—and why he’s the only vodka with protein on the shelf.
• Start With One Thing a Day
   From napkin sketches to LLC formation, Chris shares how just doing one thing every day kept his momentum (and sanity) as a solo founder.
• An Outsider’s View of America
  As a non-American building a business in the U.S., Chris offers a thoughtful and powerful reminder about unity, identity, and opportunity.

Key Takeaways:

• Comfort is the Enemy of Growth
  If you’re too comfortable, you’re probably not building something bold enough.
• Take Action Immediately
  Big dreams start with small, fast moves. Start the LLC. Sketch the label. Take the shot.
• Sacrifice is Just Reallocation
  You don’t need to suffer—you just need to shift your priorities for the mission.
• Gratitude is a Growth Strategy
  Gratefulness fuels perseverance. Appreciate the support, the freedom, and the opportunity.
• Just Don’t Quit
  It’s hard. It’s messy. But if you keep showing up, momentum will find you.

Connect with Chris Wolstenholme:
🔗 Mate Beverage on Instagram
🔗 Chris on Instagram
🔍 Website

Connect with Thomas Helfrich:
🐦 Twitter
📘 Facebook
💼 LinkedIn
🌐 Website
📧 Email: [email protected]
🚀 InstantlyRelevant.com

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