Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Wasser.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Working as a bartender in Honolulu, New York City, and Boston, I was a longtime fan of liquor infusions. Not only do infusions add flavor and brilliant color to cocktails, they do not have the sugar or artificial flavor that so often comes with a mixed drink.
So, in 2015, I had an idea to bring these cocktail bar infusions to everyone. I packaged my own handmade blends of dried fruits and spices into large paper tea bags, and ParTea was born. Over the next two years, I began selling my infusers at farmer’s markets and in specialty food and liquor stores in Boston, along with hosting my own “ParTeas” where my friends and family acted as taste testers for new inspirations.
In Fall 2017, I received the news of a lifetime: ParTea and I had beat out 14,000 other start-ups in a pitch competition hosted by HubSpot. I received $100,000 in funding along with executive mentorship. I am currently using the money to increase production through a partnership with a tea manufacturer, and to expand into the restaurant sector.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I still struggle sometimes with standing up for myself – demanding lower minimum quantities, negotiating prices, and fighting past an initial “no” to continuing explaining why my product is a great fit, but I’m getting better at it. My advice is to take yourself seriously. Determine what your hourly wage would be as CEO of your company and truly value your time as such. Dress for any meeting like it’s a formal one – it will help you feel more legitimate. It’s also easy to forget that most other people are not well versed in the area that you’ve become an expert in. Keep reminding yourself how you add value to your customers’ lives.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about ParTea – what should we know?
ParTea’s Booze Infusers are different from other liquor mixers, and from flavored liquors, because they contain no sugar and only whole, dried fruits and spices. Liquor is the US does not list ingredients or nutrition facts. Most flavored liquors contain a lot of added sugar, and the consumer isn’t told what they’re drinking. With infusions made from ParTea, the consumer gets beautifully colored and delicious liquor that can be enjoyed on their own, with soda water or as a cocktail ingredient.
We’ve recently begun expanding into restaurants and bars as well. I feel that we are uniquely positioned to offer the industry a better way to make and serve infusions. Because our infusers are made from dried ingredients, they are shelf stable, and the resulting infusion is as well since the final alcohol content is not altered by the infusion. Our dried fruits and spice retain their fresh flavors, and so also offer the ability to make seasonal flavors available year round, such as Wild Berry and Jalapeno even in the colder months.
So much of the media coverage is focused on the challenges facing women today, but what about the opportunities? Do you feel there are any opportunities that women are particularly well positioned for?
As my business has grown, I’ve found my network of other female entrepreneurs to be an incredibly helpful resource. We are open and willing to ask one another for advice and help. Our desire to lift each other up as fellow women in business is our best resource.
Pricing:
- Booze Infusers $6.95
Contact Info:
- Website: www.infusethebooze.com
- Phone: 781 820 9819
- Email: info@infusethebooze.com
- Instagram: @parteabooze
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/parteabooze/
Image Credit:
Desiree Currie
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