We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Pauline Idogho. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Pauline below.

Pauline, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

I came up with the concept of Mocktail Club when I was expecting and wanted healthy and sophisticated non-alcoholic options and found limited options. Post-pregnancy, I wanted to moderate my alcohol intake and still feel included in my social events – and that is why I started Mocktail Club. Mocktail Club is a line of ready-to drink non-alcoholic cocktails inspired by travel and global flavors. We recreate the complexity, nuance and boldness of a great cocktail by using savory, tart, sweet and bitter notes. Since I had worked around the world doing international development and finance, I used those experiences to inspire the different flavors. I left the corporate world to create Mocktail club, because I really felt there was a need in the market and realized I was not alone. There was a growing market of people not drinking for various reasons looking for solutions catering to a sophisticated adult palate. Mocktail Club uses healthy, functional, non-GMO-certified ingredients. We source our agave and apple cider vinegar from organic farms. We use simple ingredients and we do not add any coloring, preservatives or additives to our products or our process. In addition, 1% of our sale proceeds go to clean water access globally through our partnership with a global organization called Water For People. I also sit on the board of Water For People. About 1 in 10 people globally have access to clean water and sanitation – and Water For People is focused on changing that by creating sustainable projects in global communities to address this. Prior to starting Mocktail Club, I spent a decade working in clean energy and in the private arm of the World Bank.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Mocktail Club is a line of premium crafted ready-to-drink non-alcoholic cocktails. Mocktail Club recreates the complexity of a great cocktail without the alcohol using bold and unique flavors, inspired by travel. We use better-for-you ingredients such as superfruits and prebiotics, so your drink works for you. Our mission is to redefine the social drinking experience so that everyone can celebrate together. We have an omnichannel platform which includes retail, e-commerce, Amazon and in food services. We are sold in retail stores, such as Whole Foods, Wegman’s and launching in almost 700 Targets in March.

Prior to founding the company, I had a 15-year career in investment banking, international development and clean energy finance. I am originally from Nigeria, went to high school in London and have lived, worked and traveled around Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East, which helped to inspire the rich and sophisticated flavor profiles of the Mocktail Club line. One percent of Mocktail Club’s sales go to support clean water access globally through the organization Water for People. I loved experiencing different cultures and experiences through travel and wanted to bring this discovery and joy in every product. It helps to make the world smaller, more diverse and more fun.

I am a board member for Water for People. I am at the Treasurer and head of the Finance Committee of the Adult Non-Alcoholic Beverage Association (ANBA). I have a Bachelors in Economics from Howard University and MBA in Finance from The Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

A couple of years ago, I remember going to Worcester, MA, in the middle of a snow storm to produce at the co-manufacturing facility. I had flown from Washington DC to produce and one of the key ingredients had not arrived, which would result in us not being able to produce and potentially not being on shelf with our key retailers. I knew failure was not an option and I chased down the truck with the key ingredient and delivered it to the co-manufacturing facility – and we were able to produce that day.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

I was lucky to have had a long career in finance. I was able to bootstrap initially and use my savings to fund the business. Bootstrapping helped me to get to my first major customer, Whole Foods, and create a narrative before reaching out to friends and family.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.mocktailclub.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mocktailclub/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mocktailclub/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/65399322/admin/feed/posts/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/i/flow/login?redirect_after_login=%2FMocktail_Club

Image Credits
The last photo is by Elena Kulikova with the mirror reflective.