Favorite Parts of Working in the Non-Alcoholic Drinks Industry as a Founder and Visionary
Michelle, Founder & Visionary at To Be Honest Beverage Company, finds the non-alcoholic beverage industry most rewarding due to the "type of people that are called to this industry," driven by a shared philosophy of compassion and authenticity to create positive change and a "thriving, health, wellbeing" lifestyle; this fuels Michelle's own mission and inspires their work within the "sober curious movement."
Entrepreneurship, Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), Non-alcoholic Beverages, Social Impact, Mindfulness
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Michelle Houston
Founder & Visionary
To Be Honest Beverage Company
California Polytechnic State University
None
Philosophy
Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG)
Business Strategy
Pell Grant Recipient, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Transfer Student
Video Highlights
1. Michelle enjoys the community aspect of the non-alcoholic beverage industry, finding that many people are driven by a similar philosophy of compassion, authenticity, and genuine connection.
2. The industry is focused on positive change, helping people make better choices and promoting health and well-being, something Michelle finds inspiring.
3. The non-alcoholic beverage industry is considered a movement that is shaping culture and society in a positive way by providing alternatives and choice in areas previously dominated by alcohol.
Transcript
What do you enjoy most about being in your industry?
We are technically in the consumer packaged goods, or CPG, industry. Within that, we focus on the niche of non-alcoholic beverages. Our CBD drink and brand also places us in another sub-niche. Generally, our industry is non-alcoholic drinks.
What I like most about this industry is the type of people it attracts. Many founders, owners, and employees in the non-alcoholic space are drawn to it due to an underlying philosophy, a lifestyle choice, or a particular way of being. This often drives compassion, authenticity, and genuine connection.
I'm very inspired by this and feel a strong connection to this community. I've gone through my own personal journey, and my mission and purpose are why we founded the company. This connection is very powerful, and I believe it's one of the things I like most about the industry.
Everyone here is driven to change lives by helping people adjust their choices. They encourage different choices and cultivate a lifestyle of thriving, health, and well-being. It's about transitioning us into a new way of thought, a new way of being.
This isn't based on age or demographics, but on how we approach culture, society, activities, and our daily lives. The non-alcoholic industry is really shaping this, as is the sober curious movement. Alcohol is deeply ingrained in our culture.
We are not anti-alcohol. Our products are designed for the sober curious person who might want one alcoholic drink and then switch to non-alcoholic, or perhaps they don't drink Monday through Friday but do on weekends. It's really about choice.
I admire this industry. I've worked in technology, alcohol, food, and with children. I'm most inspired by this industry because it has such a positive impact. It's a movement that's larger than just the market or industry itself.
There's more meaning, drive, purpose, and vision related to this entire movement. I think that's what I love most about it, and it's why I'm inspired to be a part of it.