Mocktails with Marina

Ready to finally take your non-alcoholic business idea seriously? In this episode, Marina shares the story behind the creation of the Non-Alc Business Jumpstart Kit: a powerful, done-for-you toolkit designed for aspiring founders of non-alcoholic bars, bottle shops, and beverage brands.

If you've been stuck in research mode, overwhelmed by where to begin, or unsure how to price, plan, and launch your concept, this is the resource built for this exact moment. Whether you're creating a sober space, developing a functional beverage line, or stepping into the wellness drink industry, this episode offers clarity, inspiration, and an invitation to act.

You'll learn: — Why most non-alc entrepreneurs stall out before they even begin — What makes this space different from traditional beverage startups — How the Jumpstart Kit helps you skip 100+ hours of guessing — Why $77 might be the smartest investment you'll make this year This is the blueprint you wish you had when you started.

For non-alcoholic beverage startups, kava bar owners, sober entrepreneurs, functional mocktail creators, and future-ready wellness brands—this is your call to action.

Download the Non-Alc Business Jumpstart Kit now: https://www.marinamars.com/product-page/non-alc-business-jumpstart-kit

If you care about the future of kava, you need to hear this. In this powerful episode, I pull back the curtain on our advocacy work with both the Global and Arizona Kava Coalitions; covering everything from health department misunderstandings to national misinformation about kava's safety.

We talk real policy, industry protection, and how owning a kava business is the most effective tool for creating long-term change.

You'll learn:

• How kava bar owners are uniting to prevent what happened to hemp from happening to kava

• Why being a business owner gives you more power in public policy than just being passionate

• What the Kava Coalition is doing globally to protect growers, products, and cultural roots

• And why this is a hill we're willing to die on

Grab your free copy of the Top Tips for Kava Bars guide: https://tally.so/r/1A1Q4b

It's a must-have for anyone running, or dreaming of running, a kava bar.

Ready to turn your passion into real impact? Check out Bula Boss, the ultimate program for non-alc founders ready to lead this industry with clarity and strategy: https://www.marinamars.com/bulaboss

Let's raise the bar together!

The non-alcoholic space is booming but make no mistake, the game is still rigged. In this episode, Marina exposes the power structures keeping non-alc brands stuck on the sidelines and what it really takes to win.

We unpack how the alcohol industry controls distribution, funding, and even social norms while quietly investing in non-alc products to keep control. You'll learn the psychology behind why drink culture is so hard to break and how non-alc brands can use that exact psychology to build something magnetic.

Whether you're building a bottle shop, launching a beverage, or just tired of being underestimated, this episode will give you the fire (and strategy) to play bigger.

This is your permission slip to disrupt.

Ready to make waves? Bula Boss is officially open.

🎯 Join the movement: www.marinamars.com/bulaboss

They told you that launching a non-alc business takes millions in funding, insider connections, and a nonstop hustle mindset.

They lied.

In this episode, I'm debunking the 3 most toxic myths keeping passionate founders stuck and showing you exactly what it really takes to build a successful non-alc brand from the ground up.

You'll learn:

• Why you don't need venture capital to get started (and what to build instead)
• How "not being an expert" can be your superpower
• Why burnout culture is the trap, not the blueprint
• Real-world stories of scrappy, sustainable non-alc brands that blew up by doing things differently

Whether you're dreaming of a bottle shop, a bar, a beverage line (or still figuring it out) this episode is the mindset shift you didn't know you needed.

🎯 Ready to change the rules and finally move forward?

Learn more about the Bula Boss program: www.marinamars.com/bulaboss

Nobody cares what's in the bottle. They care how it makes them feel. In this solo episode, Marina breaks down one of the most common mistakes in the non-alc industry: over-educating instead of emotionally connecting. If you've been pushing ingredients, benefits, and back labels instead of identity, aspiration, and community… this episode is your wake-up call.

You'll learn:

• Why taste and function are not the main reason people buy
• How to shift your brand from informative to irresistible
• What it actually takes to build a non-alc brand that people want to rep

If you're in the bottle business, running a bar, or launching something new, this is the episode you can't afford to miss.

🎯 Want to learn how to build a movement, not just a menu?

Join Bula Boss, where we teach you how to sell culture, identity, and community.

https://www.marinamars.com/bulaboss

In this heartfelt episode, I sit down with Michelle LeBlanc, co-founder of Mantra Kava and Botanical Bar in DeLand, Florida, to talk about what it really takes to build a soulful, alcohol-free gathering space from the ground up.

Michelle shares how her diverse background became an asset (not a detour) in launching a business rooted in the energy of the root chakra. We dive into the mission behind Mantra, the power of creating a true third space, and the importance of asking for help when you're stuck. From branding to balance, community to clarity, Michelle's story is a powerful reminder that every step of the journey matters.

Whether you're a kava lover, a sober entrepreneur, or just someone dreaming of building something meaningful—you're going to want to tune in.

Topics we cover:

• Creating a grounding space inspired by the root chakra

• Navigating business with your partner

• The Florida kava and alcohol-free scene

• Lessons from launching a sober-friendly business

• Asking for help and paying it forward

📍 Learn more about Michelle and Mantra Kava: www.mantrakava.com 📸 Follow them on IG: @mantrakavabar 📬 Have questions or want to collaborate? Reach out at [email protected]

Michelle was one of our OG Bula Boss clients. Learn more about how she built her foundations here: https://www.marinamars.com/bulaboss

In this powerful and relatable episode, we're joined by Kendall Bierman, licensed therapist and founder of Kendall B Therapy, who opens up about her journey from self-medicating in college to building a career helping others break free from the same patterns.

Kendall shares how drinking once felt like a normal part of life; especially in environments where alcohol use is glamorized and going sober feels isolating. But through deep inner work and tough (yet transformative) choices, she not only got sober but discovered her calling: helping young adults navigate anxiety, substance use, and the complicated emotions that come with change.

Whether you're sober curious, struggling with moderation, or just wondering what a full and fun life looks like without alcohol, this episode is for you. Kendall reminds us that while it might feel like you're giving something up, the reality is: you're gaining so much more.

🎧 Tune in for an honest, hopeful conversation about sobriety, stigma, and how therapy can support your most empowered life.

BONUS: We chat a lot about what it means to be a sober entrepreneur and our #1 tip for success (spoiler alert: yes, we're talking about boundaries).

🔗 Learn more about Kendall's work: www.kendallbtherapy.com 📲 Follow her on IG: @kendallbtherapy

If you're in NJ or NY, you can book a therapy session with Kendall, too!

Have more questions? Send me an email: [email protected]

In this episode, Marina sits down with Maggie Klaassens: alcohol-free coach, mom of three, and the founder of The Sober Summit and The Sober Hive. What started as a personal 100-day challenge to ditch alcohol turned into a purpose-filled mission to help gray area drinkers take back their lives and build a future they're excited to wake up to.

Maggie shares how she created a powerful three-day virtual summit that's now changing lives across the globe, what "gray area drinking" really means, and why sober community and connection are the key to long-term transformation. She also gives us a behind-the-scenes peek at her upcoming 4th Sober Summit (April 23–25): a free event packed with expert speakers, tools for your sober toolbox, and motivation to design a vibrant alcohol-free life.

If you're curious about the alcohol-free lifestyle, dreaming up your own summit or event, or just need a reminder that you're not alone on this journey, this episode is for you.

• RSVP for The Sober Summit (April 23–25 2025): https://soberlifecollective.spiffy.co/a/7m3cxEn1BG/4167

• Follow Maggie on IG: @thesobersummit

• Join The Sober Hive community: [link coming soon!]

• Get the packet: https://soberlifecollective.myflodesk.com/list

• Follow on IG: @mocktailswithmarina

• Learn more: www.marinamars.com/themodernmocktail

• Need help with strategy, operations, or launching your non-alc biz? Let's chat.

In this episode of Mocktails with Marina, we're diving deep into the booming world of non-alcoholic product creation. If you've ever dreamed of launching your own functional beverage, sober-friendly tincture, or wellness powder, this is the episode you can't afford to miss.

Marina breaks down exactly why now is the perfect time to enter the non-alcoholic beverage industry, how to position your idea in a rapidly growing functional beverage market, and what most new CPG startups get wrong when launching.

You'll learn:

• Why consumer demand is skyrocketing for sober-curious, alcohol-free alternatives

• The gaps in the market that still need to be filled

• How to bring your product to life—from formulation and compliance to manufacturing and sales

• A behind-the-scenes look at the 5-phase process taught inside Marina's new program: Bev Brand Builder

Whether you're a wellness entrepreneur, a former bartender with a vision, or just someone who wants to make a real impact with a functional product that helps people feel good—this is your sign to take action.

Bev Brand Builder is officially open for enrollment. Join now at: https://www.marinamars.com/challenge-page/bevbrandbuilder

Have questions about the program or want to see if it's the right fit? Email Marina directly at [email protected].

In this episode of Mocktails with Marina, host Marina sits down with Rebecca Styn, founder of Blind Tiger, a non-alcoholic cocktail company rooted in inclusivity, hospitality, and premium zero-proof experiences. Discover how Rebecca turned the challenges of the 2020 pandemic into a groundbreaking pivot that transformed her speakeasy-style bar, Room 33, into the birthplace of Blind Tiger—now one of the most celebrated non-alcoholic beverage brands on the market.

We dive into:

• The story behind the name Blind Tiger and its ties to Prohibition-era speakeasies

• The challenges and wins of launching a non-alcoholic brand during COVID

• Rebecca's passion for mindful drinking, sobriety culture, and alcohol-free mixology

• The importance of creating inclusive bar experiences

• How her background in hospitality, leadership, and entrepreneurship shaped her mission

Whether you're sober-curious, fully alcohol-free, or a bar/restaurant owner looking to elevate your zero-proof offerings, this conversation is filled with insights, inspiration, and real-talk from a true industry innovator.

Learn more at blindtigerspiritfree.com Follow Rebecca on IG: @blindtigercocktails Stay connected with Marina at @mocktailswithmarina