Leanne Kisil took alcohol out of her life and created her own alcohol-free apéritif. Inspired by nature, Solbrü is crafted with mindfully selected ingredients to help everyone unwind and connect.
Solbrü blends apple cider vinegar, organic mushrooms, and herbal extracts to lift your spirit with every sip. Gluten-free with no added sugar, these beverages can be mixed with your favorite mocktail or enjoyed straight for a memorable non-alcoholic experience.
Recently, we caught up with Leanne to learn more about her journey and hear her advice for fellow entrepreneurs.
1. Why did you start Solbrü?
I decided to stop drinking alcohol back in 2017 after enrolling in a holistic nutrition class. I was introduced to the benefits of ingredients like apple cider vinegar, ginger, turmeric, and functional mushrooms.
After seeing many people struggling with alcohol and finding balance in their lives, I knew I wanted to create a non-alcoholic beverage made with adaptogenic ingredients. My goal is to empower folks who want to stop or reduce their alcohol consumption while supporting their bodies during some of the most memorable moments in their life.
2. What obstacles did you face along the way?
I never would have guessed that starting a beverage brand would make me an expert in weather conditions! Our current line is bottled in glass and I underestimated the effect of cold temperatures on non-alcoholic beverages. We lost a lot of product during shipment to our online customers. Of course, we guaranteed all the orders and re-shipped them when the weather warmed up. We have since made some changes to our winter shipping and packaging process to reduce our risk of damage.
I always try to personally connect with individual partners and customers to thank them for their business. The supportive messages empower me to continue forging along this path to grow Solbrü.
Networking is key! I am always reaching out to other folks in the industry. Whether it’s other brand owners, industry experts, or partners, it’s really all about who you know.
3. What lessons do you have for other entrepreneurs?
Take it slow with a support system and make sure you practice constant self-care.
There will be really tough days. If you take the time to practice self-care and surround yourself with people who build you up, you will build stamina for the challenging road ahead.
Personal growth is just as important as business growth and the two need to mirror each other. If you can, invest in a coach or therapist to help combat imposter syndrome and negative thoughts.
4. What’s on the horizon for Solbrü?
We’re getting ready to launch a brand new product line. We are very excited about it and know our partners will be too.
5. How do you keep work/life balance? What drives/inspires you?
I have designated time to spend on social media platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn. Still, I have to be in the right frame of mind when I’m on these platforms, because comparing yourself to others can lead to challenging emotions.
I always try to “shut off” at a certain time of day to maintain work/life balance. I also block out one day per week for “me time” — a day for me to completely focus on quality time with my family and friends. I also perform a movement practice every day to move through challenging emotions.