Newsletter 50: Sipping your way to the millions 💸
HEY CONVERSION QUEENS 💸👑
Have you ever wondered how a beverage brand could redefine social drinking—without alcohol?
This week, we’re exploring a company that took inspiration from Mediterranean apéritif culture and turned it into a movement. With a focus on bold flavors, sleek branding, and an inclusive drinking experience, they’ve built a category-defining brand that challenges traditional beverage norms. Let’s break it down!
SIS, LET’S CATCH A CASE
A BUZZ WITHOUT THE BOOZE
Ghia was founded in 2020 by Melanie Masarin, who saw a gap in the beverage market for sophisticated, alcohol-free social drinks. Inspired by her Mediterranean upbringing, where meals and drinks were about connection rather than intoxication, Masarin set out to create a spirit-free apéritif that still delivered the bold, complex flavors of a cocktail. Unlike sugary mocktails, Ghia is botanical, bitter, and crafted for mindful drinking, offering a premium alternative to traditional alcohol.
Ghia’s core audience includes health-conscious consumers, sober-curious individuals, and those looking for a more elevated drinking experience without alcohol. The brand strategically engages this audience through minimalist, high-end branding, exclusive retail partnerships, and a strong direct-to-consumer presence. Ghia also utilizes social media storytelling and community-driven content, encouraging conversations around mindful consumption and rethinking drinking culture. Additionally, their beautifully designed bottles and aesthetic brand identity appeal to a design-savvy audience that values presentation as much as taste.
In a competitive beverage space, Ghia solves a real problem: the lack of complex, non-alcoholic options that feel as special as a cocktail. By blending luxurious branding, a mission-driven approach, and community engagement, the brand has successfully positioned itself as a leader in the growing alcohol-free movement, proving that social drinking can be about experience—not just alcohol.
POSITION YOUR BRAND TO WIN
1.💸👑 Make Your Product a Statement Piece: Ghia’s sleek, minimalist packaging doesn’t just look good—it acts as a marketing tool. Its high-end design makes the product feel premium and social media-worthy, encouraging organic shares and word-of-mouth marketing.
2. 💸👑 Turn Your Brand Into a Conversation Starter: Ghia goes beyond selling a beverage—it champions mindful drinking and creates a lifestyle movement around it. By emphasizing inclusivity and fostering real conversations about alcohol-free socializing, the brand builds deep emotional connections with its customers.
3. 💸👑 Blend Exclusivity with Accessibility: Ghia balances exclusivity and convenience by carefully choosing curated retail partners while keeping a strong direct-to-consumer presence. This ensures brand desirability without limiting availability.
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1. 💸👑 The Breva Thrive Grant offers $5,000 in quarterly, non-dilutive funding to U.S.-based small businesses that are making a positive impact in underrepresented communities. Eligible applicants should have been operating for at least one year, generate a minimum annual revenue of $35,000, and demonstrate community impact through job creation, innovation, or improved access to services. Apply here!
2. 💸👑The Black Ambition Prize, founded by Pharrell Williams, is a national competition offering funding between $20,000 and $100,000 to early-stage ventures led by Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs. Eligible applicants must apply as a team of at least two members. Apply here!
3. 💸👑 The Galaxy Grant: Hidden Star offers $1,500 grants to women and minority entrepreneurs to support their businesses. To qualify, applicants must be women or minority business owners at any stage of business. Applications are quick, free, and now open. Winners gain access to additional resources through the Galaxy of Stars community. Apply here!
INVEST IN YOUR BRAND, SIS
Thanks for reading, Queen.