Mocktails with Marina
Welcome to "Mocktails with Marina," a podcast where Marina, a multi-passionate entrepreneur and innovator, shares her journey and insights into the burgeoning world of zero-proof living and mixology. Marina's story, from a service industry professional to a thriving business owner, offers a unique blend of personal experience, entrepreneurial spirit, and creative mixology. Dive into episodes filled with inspiring tales, practical business management strategies, and innovative ideas in non-alcoholic beverage solutions. Marina's businesses, 'Functional Flow' and 'The Modern Mocktail,' serve as case studies in transforming passion into profitable ventures. Whether discussing the nuances of zero-proof mixology, navigating health codes, maximizing business efficiency, or fostering a positive work culture, this podcast is a treasure trove for aspiring entrepreneurs, event planners, and anyone interested in a sober lifestyle. Marina's eclectic background in theoretical mathematics, ethnobotany, graphic design, and nightlife entertainment adds a unique flavor to each episode, blending technical know-how with real-world experience. From her journey to sobriety to her success in increasing revenue and operational efficiency in the kava industry, Marina's insights are invaluable for anyone looking to make thoughtful, intentional choices in both life and business. Tune in to "Mocktails with Marina" for a blend of free content, expert advice, and inspiring stories, all aimed at helping you achieve abundance without alcohol in both your personal and professional life.
Episodes
In this powerful episode of Mocktails with Marina, we explore why visibility in business isn't just about being seen, it's about being regulated. Whether you're building a non-alcoholic brand, launching your first product, or leading a team in the kava and sober-curious space, the ability to show up authentically and consistently is a
Is your backend blocking your breakthrough? In this episode of Mocktails with Marina, we dive into the chaotic, often-overlooked world of operations and uncover why so many non-alcoholic business owners, kava bar founders, and sober entrepren...
Struggling to price your drinks? Wondering why your non-alc menu isn’t selling? In this episode of Mocktails with Marina, we’re walking you through the exact system used by top-performing sober bars and beverage entrepreneurs to create intentional, profitable, and scalable drink menus.
Marina shares horror stories from behind the scenes of bad menus, then introduces the ...
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 t...
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 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 brea...
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 bei...
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 ...
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 launchi...
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 no...
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 ...
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.
...
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—n...
In this powerful episode of Mocktails with Marina, host Marina sits down with Becky Moreno, founder of Unity SoBar and Unity Recovery Solutions, to explore the deeper meaning behind the growing non-alcoholic movement. Becky shares her raw and inspiring recovery journey—from navigating life as an alcoholic to becoming a bold leader in the sober entrepren...
In this episode of Mocktails with Marina, we explore a powerful and often overlooked business skill: setting boundaries as a business owner while maintaining professionalism, leadership, and client trust. If you're an entrepreneur in the non-alcoholic beverage industry, a CPG founder, or a wellness-based business leader, chances are you've experienced clients, collaborators, or leads pushing past agreed-upon limits—whether that's a...
Are you stepping into a mentorship role, teaching others, or seeking guidance for your own business journey? In this episode of Mocktails with Marina, we explore what it really means to be a mentor, teacher, or guide—especially in the non-alcoholic beverage industry, entrepreneurial space, and personal development world. Read more
In this high-impact, no-fluff episode, I’m breaking down how to shift timelines and step into the reality you actually want - fast. Your current life is a loop of past thoughts and actions, but you don’t have to stay stuck in it. The secret? Identity shifting.
Here’s what we cover in just 2 minutes:
✅ Decide who you are right now. Not someday. Today.
✅ Act outside your current reality. Do something your future self would do.
✅ Over...
In this episode of Mocktails with Marina, I share how our first year in business was more than just a career shift—it was a healing process. If you have ever felt burned out, stuck in the 9-5 grind, or unsure how to build a business that truly supports you, this episode is filled with real-world lessons, faith-driven perseverance, and insights from the growing non-alcoho...
In this episode of Mocktails with Marina, I sit down with Weston Porter, Head of Sales at Leilo, a leading brand in the functional beverage and non-alcoholic drink space. Weston shares his journey from being Leilo’s fourth employee to spearheading the sales team, revealing valuable insights into the rapid growth of the non-alcoholic industry since 2021.
https://leilo.com/
We explore how Leilo’s kava-based drinks are redefining rela...
Are you building a non-alcoholic third space like a kava bar, sober lounge, or functional beverage café? To succeed in this fast-growing industry, you need more than great drinks—you need a strong brand, smart marketing, and an effective sales strategy.
In this episode, we cover:
-How to brand your business so it stands out in the competitive functional beverage market
-The best marketing strategies to attract loyal customers witho...
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