Amanda and Adam Kroener, founder of the Plymouth-based ready-to-drink cocktail Carbliss, join co-hosts Kate Bruns of Insight on Manufacturing and Ann Franz of the NEW Manufacturing Alliance on this week’s new episode of the NEW Manufacturing Insights podcast.
The Kroeners talk with Bruns and Franz about how they founded the beverage company, what some of their early challenges were and where the company is going next.
The idea for Carbliss launched after the Kroeners couldn’t find a low-carb ready-to-drink cocktail that they could enjoy on their keto diet. They started mixing their own drinks, bringing a cooler full of vodka, flavorings and fruit, but “it was a lot to carry around,” Amanda Kroener says.
Other products had an appealing nutrition panel but were underwhelming in flavor, they say. “After going out to buy everything we could find, realized there was a gap in the market,” Amanda Kroener says. “What we were looking for did not exist.”
“Adam kept saying, ‘Wouldn’t it be great if this was in a can, someone should put this in a can!’” she says. “We realized there was a gap in the market — what we were looking for did not exist.”
With a background in co-manufacturing, Adam Kroener knew that they didn’t need a brick-and-mortar manufacturing plant to get started.
In 2019 — a few days before their wedding — the Kroeners launched the first three flavors of Carbliss in Wisconsin. Now, the drink is distributed to 18 states, with Colorado becoming the newest to sell the no-carb, no-sugar, no-calorie cocktail.
The Kroeners talk about their challenges, including an early disaster in which they discovered the product was leaking on the shelves. “Really, finding the right partners along the way was so critical in our success, and being able to continue to grow.”
Listen to all of the insights from the Kroeners, including their plans for the company and how people are responding — including one fan who got a Carbliss tattoo, by downloading the full episode on Spreaker or anywhere you listen to podcasts. NEW Manufacturing Insights is produced by Woodward Community Media; new episodes are released on Thursdays.
Contact your Insight account manager for sponsorship information or contact Kate Bruns at kbruns@insightonbusiness.com to suggest topics and guests.
