We recently connected with Melanie Nelson & Anita Goodson and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Melanie Nelson & Anita Goodson , so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?
In the male-dominated alcohol beverage industry, being women has driven Anita and me to redefine leadership and innovation. From the start, we understood that our perspective wasn’t just different—it was essential. Our passion for cocktails and commitment to a healthy, active lifestyle inspired us to create something truly unique with Spirited Brands.
Being women in this industry has meant embracing our differences and turning them into strengths. Our dedication to transparency—displaying nutrition facts and ingredients on our cans and offering a low ABV of 5%—resonates deeply with consumers in an industry that hasn’t always prioritized these values. We’re proud to be part of what we call a Mindful Drinking movement, providing consumers with the information they need to make informed decisions about what they consume.
We believe success in this industry doesn’t come from blending in but from standing out. Ultimately, being the only women in the room has taught us to trust our vision and lead with authenticity. We may not look like everyone else in the room, but our voices—and the products we create—are exactly what the industry needs. We proudly received our women-owned WBENC certification in July.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
At Spirited Brands, we’re dedicated to crafting premium canned cocktails that are as mindful as they are delicious. As a beverage innovation company, we focus on building exceptional cocktail brands that prioritize quality, transparency, and a mindful drinking experience.
Our flagship products, Soula and Sokē, embody this mission perfectly. Soula is inspired by my business partner Anita’s rich Mexican heritage and the traditions of Mexico. Crafted with premium agave wine from Blue Weber agave plants in Jalisco, Mexico, Soula brings a modern touch to the classic margarita.
Whereas Sokē brings a contemporary approach to Japan’s legacy beverage, sake. Made with premium Junmai sake, all-natural Asian fruit flavors, and perfectly balanced bubbles, we call it sake reimagined with a twist.
Both beverages are carefully crafted for those who want to indulge without compromising their wellness goals.
Like most consumers, we too were unaware that some of the leading canned cocktails can contain over 300 calories and 20+ grams of sugar—information often omitted from packaging. Unlike the packaged food industry, most alcoholic beverages are not mandated to include nutrition facts or ingredients. We strongly believe our customers deserve to know what they’re consuming, and we’re proud to provide that clarity and transparency. Every ingredient and flavor is thoughtfully selected to meet the strictest natural grocer guidelines, with no artificial sweeteners used.
Looking ahead, we’re hyper-focused on expanding our distribution across Southern California, Arizona, and Minnesota—for now. We’ve been hosting numerous sampling events to get our products into the hands of consumers, and the feedback has been nothing short of phenomenal!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
While we’re still in the early stages, three qualities that have impacted us most are Purpose, Passion, and Courage.
1) Purpose: Our customers are why we’re here; they always come first. We will stop at nothing to wow them at every opportunity possible.
2) Passion: Our enthusiasm, purpose, and determination are contagious and critical to our success.
3) Courage: We act with confidence to deconstruct the status from the quo, always asking questions in our effort to blaze new trails forward.
Building a successful brand is not a solo endeavor. Having the right team—people who share our vision, complement our skills, and challenge us to grow—has been crucial to our success. Our husbands work alongside us, and their exceptional sales and distribution skills have allowed us to grow rapidly; we could not do this without them or the other amazing members of our team.
By leveraging purpose, passion, and courage, we are building a solid foundation for success. These qualities not only help us overcome challenges but also make the experience more fulfilling and enjoyable. For those starting out, we encourage you to find what truly excites you and let that passion guide your decisions. When you’re passionate about your work, navigating all the obstacles that come with growth becomes easier.
All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?
One of the biggest challenges we face at Spirited Brands is navigating the evolving landscape of the ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktail space. As leaders in innovation, we offer wine-based products that don’t neatly fit into traditional categories. Most buying divisions tend to separate products into beer, wine, and spirits categories, which can create confusion about where our products belong on the shelves.
To address this challenge, we are actively educating retailers about our products’ unique qualities. We are also engaging in conversations with buying divisions to advocate for a more inclusive approach to product placement that recognizes the versatility and innovation in the RTD category.
By fostering understanding and collaboration within the industry, we aim to create an environment where our products can thrive, and customers can easily find them in stores.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.SipSpiritedBrands.com
- Instagram: @soulacocktails @sokesoda
- Facebook: Soula Cocktails, Soke Soda
- Linkedin: Spirited Brands
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
