We were lucky to catch up with Spencer Hanson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Spencer, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?

The story of Suntide began during my time in college at Stanford University, but the foundation of our brand was set far before then. My twin brother Wyatt, and my sister Lyda, and I grew up surrounded by the innovation of Silicon Valley in Northern California. We always had an entrepreneurial spirit, and from a young age we were dedicated to making any creative idea we had a reality. Being in the college scene, we saw the rise of ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages firsthand, and everybody we knew enjoyed mimosas. While there were a variety of options available—seltzers, canned beers, etc.—there wasn’t anything quite like a mimosa in a can. The idea for Suntide came to us when we realized there was a gap in the market for a nationally recognized RTD mimosa, a beverage suited for all sorts of events from tailgates to backyard BBQs. This was our opportunity to create something unique together.

With alcohol being a highly regulated and competitive industry, we relied heavily on research in the beginning stages of our brand. We spent a lot of time working on product development, perfecting a mimosa that didn’t compromise on taste or quality. After months of experimenting with recipes, we landed on a product that used only natural ingredients: 100% real fruit juice and premium sparkling wine. Once we had the product ready, we turned our focus to building the brand and setting up the operational structure of the company. As Wyatt and I were senior water polo athletes at the time, this is where we took a leap of faith, pivoting our post-grad plans to fully launch Suntide alongside Lyda. Rather than hiring a team, we divided responsibilities among ourselves, committing all our energy to every aspect of the business—this included everything from legal work to finding the right production partners who could help us scale without compromising quality.

In 2022, Suntide officially launched, and we were immediately focused on expanding our reach. As we grew, we used our shared love for art, music, and Southern California culture to bring a unique brand vision to life. Along the way, strategic partnerships, PR efforts, and organic word-of-mouth helped us establish a loyal following and continue accelerating our business.

The most rewarding part of the journey has been seeing Suntide evolve from just an idea to a full-fledged brand that’s making a difference in the RTD beverage market. It hasn’t been easy, but with a lot of hard work and dedication, we’re proud of what we’ve accomplished—and we’re excited for the future.

Spencer, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Spencer Hanson, and I’m the co-founder and COO of Suntide, one of the first RTD mimosa brands in the beverage industry. I launched Suntide with my twin brother Wyatt and our sister Lyda, drawing inspiration from the creative household we grew up in, where art, music, and storytelling were part of everyday life. We wanted to channel that same creativity into a brand that feels more like a lifestyle than just a product.

For me, personal passions like surfing, traveling, film, photography, and playing guitar have shaped Suntide’s identity. Suntide is more than a canned mimosa—it’s about celebrating time spent outdoors, connecting with people you care about, and creating moments that stick with you. We saw an opportunity to bring something different to the beverage space: a product that is simple, natural, and meaningful, reflecting the way we live and the way we hope others will, too.

At the end of the day, we make mimosas as easy and accessible as grabbing a can from the fridge, with no hassle from glass bottles or red solo cups. Beyond the product, we’re passionate about supporting our community through initiatives like spotlighting local businesses with short films and backing events that align with our values. Our lineup currently includes 12oz canned mimosas in two flavors, Classic (Orange) and Peach, as well as our recently launched Tropics Variety Pack, designed to meet evolving consumer preferences in the RTD space. Suntide is now available in over 20 states nationwide, and we’re incredibly proud of how far we’ve come.

What sets us apart isn’t just what’s in the can—it’s the bigger idea that Suntide represents: a brand built around real connections, shared experiences, and a little creativity in everything we do.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

As a young company with our entire C-suite being under 30 years of age, we’ve placed a heavy emphasis on creating a brand that resonates with consumers, not just through the product itself, but through the lifestyle that it represents. We strive to remain authentic, maintaining a strong brand identity and telling our story in a way that’s true to ourselves and the brand. We’re offering a lifestyle centered around fun, freedom and enjoying life’s sweetest moments, while emphasizing key differentiators like natural ingredients and low alcohol-content. We’ve been able to create a connection with consumers who align with those values through our messaging, our social media content and collaborations that have helped us build our loyal following.

Strategic partnerships and a strong distribution network have also been key for us. Early on, we focused on building relationships with key players in the beverage industry, including retail partners like Total Wine, that have allowed us to grow our reach, scale quickly and get our product in front of new audiences. This focus has paid off – we’re proud to have an 87% distributor retention rate which speaks to the strength of our product and demand in the market.

Word of mouth is another big piece here. We’ve invested in PR efforts that have helped us grow awareness of our brand and drive sales in key markets. We’ve also worked with influencers who genuinely connect with our brand and who are passionate about the lifestyle that Suntide represents. They have been able to spread the word to their followers in an organic and relatable way, that has been very effective for growing our clientele, especially in today’s social media-driven world. Community-building in other ways, including participating in local events – big or small, from local run clubs to food & wine festivals – has also been successful for us.

Finally, consumer preferences are changing rapidly, and we’ve made it a priority to always be innovating and stay attuned to what our customers want. We like to consider any feedback that comes through, and enhance the customer experience in any way we can – whether through packaging updates or unveiling new flavors. Our Tropics Variety Pack is a good example of this. We noticed folks were seeking new taste profiles in drinks and gravitating towards innovative flavors. As a result, we decided to introduce four never before seen tropical-inspired mimosa flavors – perfect for summer sipping, and a great opportunity to reach new customers and shake up the space.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Over the last couple of years, we’ve been able to build a strong reputation in the market by prioritizing meaningful connections with both our customers and our partners. As a family-owned and operated business, we bring a personal, hands-on approach, which helps us build genuine relationships and stay true to our authentic brand identity.

Suntide isn’t just a beverage brand – it’s a lifestyle. From our visual identity to our messaging and tone, everything is designed to reflect the laid-back, California-cool vibe that resonates with our customers. We’ve been able to build credibility by remaining consistent in everything we do – whether it’s using high-quality, all-natural ingredients or maintaining a fun, authentic voice. As a result, we’ve seen an increasing number of customers advocate for our brand.

I’m incredibly proud of the leadership and vision we’ve cultivated as a team. My siblings, Wyatt (CFO) and Lyda (CEO), and I have built a company founded on collaboration, innovation, and a shared passion for success. Being a young, motivated team under the age of 30 has allowed us to bring fresh ideas to the table and the flexibility to pivot when needed. We’ve intentionally created a company where innovation thrives, and our shared values guide every decision. For instance, we’ve been able to scale efficiently without sacrificing our commitment to quality, which has positioned us to expand in both distribution and media presence. All three of us take a hands-on approach to ensure the company remains true to its values while continuing to grow and expand. The future is bright 🥂

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.drinksuntide.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drinksuntide/