How a Young Solo Founder Is Taking on Alcohol Seltzer Giants | EP 39

Explicit content warning

12/06/24 • 28 min

In this episode of the UNinvested Podcast, host Sahil speaks with guest Dominic Minogue, founder of Dirty Water, a hard seltzer brand carving out its unique space in a crowded industry. Dominic shares insights on navigating strict alcohol regulations, building a shelf-stable product, and finding the sweet spot between brand marketing and sales. He also offers a look into his personal routines that help maintain balance in the demanding world of entrepreneurship.

What We Explore:

The challenges of entering the alcohol market with minimal industry experience
The importance of product formulation and working with flavor houses
Differentiating a brand in a mature and saturated seltzer market
Balancing founder-led sales efforts with building a team and scaling distribution
Using content creation and personal storytelling to connect with consumers
Considering strategic partnerships and new product lines, including non-alcoholic alternatives
Maintaining personal well-being to stay focused and productive as a solo founder

Where to Find UNinvested:

Website: https://www.uninvested.org/
X: https://x.com/UNinvested_
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uninvested

In this Episode, We Cover:

[0:00] Introduction & Guest Background: Overview of UNinvested, introducing Dominic and Dirty Water’s origins
[0:34] Entering the Alcohol Industry: Facing regulatory hurdles, discovering resources, and working with industry experts
[2:01] Creating a Shelf-Stable Product: Partnering with flavor houses, iterating formulations, and positioning the brand for market entry
[2:50] Standing Out in a Mature Market: Competing with household seltzer brands by focusing on simplicity, quality, and sessionability
[5:00] Branding vs. Sales: Balancing marketing narratives with boots-on-the-ground selling, securing key retail placements, and nurturing accounts
[8:00] First Sales & Distribution Lessons: Gaining initial traction through personal connections, creative merchandising, and founder-led relationship building
[17:00] Content Creation & Personal Branding: Leveraging a personal following to support the brand and connect with potential customers
[20:01] Long-Term Vision & Partnerships: Considering acquisition, equity deals, and expanding into new product categories, including THC-infused beverages
[27:21] Personal Routines & Mindset: The importance of nonnegotiable habits, like daily running, to maintain mental health and resilience as a founder

What We Explore:

The challenges of entering the alcohol market with minimal industry experience
The importance of product formulation and working with flavor houses
Differentiating a brand in a mature and saturated seltzer market
Balancing founder-led sales efforts with building a team and scaling distribution
Using content creation and personal storytelling to connect with consumers
Considering strategic partnerships and new product lines, including non-alcoholic alternatives
Maintaining personal well-being to stay focused and productive as a solo founder

Where to Find UNinvested:

Website: https://www.uninvested.org/
X: https://x.com/UNinvested_
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uninvested

In this Episode, We Cover:

[0:00] Introduction & Guest Background: Overview of UNinvested, introducing Dominic and Dirty Water’s origins
[0:34] Entering the Alcohol Industry: Facing regulatory hurdles, discovering resources, and working with industry experts
[2:01] Creating a Shelf-Stable Product: Partnering with flavor houses, iterating formulations, and positioning the brand for market entry
[2:50] Standing Out in a Mature Market: Competing with household seltzer brands by focusing on simplicity, quality, and sessionability
[5:00] Branding vs. Sales: Balancing marketing narratives with boots-on-the-ground selling, securing key retail placements, and nurturing accounts
[8:00] First Sales & Distribution Lessons: Gaining initial traction through personal connections, creative merchandising, and founder-led relationship building
[17:00] Content Creation & Personal Branding: Leveraging a personal following to support the brand and connect with potential customers
[20:01] Long-Term Vision & Partnerships: Considering acquisition, equity deals, and expanding into new product categories, including THC-infused beverages
[27:21] Personal Routines & Mindset: The importance of nonnegotiable habits, like daily running, to maintain mental health and resilience as a founder

Previous Episode

How a Startup Founder Who Built a Unicorn Thinks About Product | EP 38

In this episode of UNinvested, Sahil sits down with Jason Zhang, a dynamic entrepreneur who founded a billion-dollar unicorn in his mid-20s and has since contributed to prominent startups like Upwork, StubHub, and Mesh. Jason shares his invaluable experiences on launching and scaling startups, balancing rapid product development with customer needs, and leveraging the unique agility of startups to outperform larger companies. Whether you're an aspiring founder or passionate about the startup ecosystem, Jason's insights offer a roadmap to navigating the fast-paced world of entrepreneurship.

What We Explore:

Deciding the right time to join or start a startup: balancing youth and experience
The importance of launching products quickly and iterating based on user feedback
Differentiating between founding a startup and working within one
Evaluating bootstrapping versus seeking venture capital funding
Leveraging startup agility to outpace larger competitors
Strategies for preventing burnout and maintaining work-life balance
Utilizing competition to inspire and enhance product development
Practical advice for young founders on breaking down problems and iterating efficiently

Where to Find UNinvested:

Website: https://www.uninvested.org/
X: https://x.com/UNinvested_
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uninvested

In this Episode, We Cover:

[00:00] Introduction: Key questions on customer feedback and product perfection

[00:38] Meet Jason Zhang: From founding a unicorn to roles at Upwork, StubHub, and Mesh

[00:41] Timing the Startup Journey: Is there a right time to jump into startups? Balancing youth and experience

[02:05] Lessons from Founding a Startup: Prioritizing market needs over product perfection and the value of shipping early

[04:52] Embracing the Lean Startup Model: Balancing speed with product maturity and understanding user needs

[06:51] Founding vs. Joining a Startup: Decision-making processes and focusing on product strategy

[10:01] Bootstrapping vs. Venture Capital: Aligning incentives, growth strategies, and competitive advantages

[12:44] Product Development Insights: Utilizing qualitative and quantitative data to solve significant problems

[16:04] Feature Development vs. Core Refinement: Deciding when to expand product offerings or enhance existing features

[17:03] Maintaining Work-Life Balance: Preventing burnout through routines and balancing personal life with startup demands

[20:38] Leveraging Competition: Using competitors as inspiration and opportunities for partnership rather than threats

[22:55] Advice for Young Founders: Breaking down problems, iterating quickly, and balancing manual processes with technological solutions

[26:37] Evolving Routines: Adapting personal routines to maintain productivity and prevent burnout as life changes

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