How a Minnesota startup built a business from scratch

A group of friends in New Hope, Minnesota, launched Mixly Beverage Co. in 2018, seeking to provide an alternative to store-bought mixers that often rely on artificial ingredients and preservatives. Co-founders Johnna Rossbach and Megan Sather developed the product line to be used in cocktails, mocktails and dirty sodas, emphasizing the use of fresh fruit juice and honey.

The business model emerged from the founders' early experiences with labor-intensive production. During the company's first night of manufacturing, the team worked from 4:00 p.m. until 3:00 a.m. to overcome equipment failures. This period required the founders to hand-squeeze fruit and apply labels manually, a process that helped them establish their current manufacturing standards.

Rossbach, who serves as president, stated that the company was created to offer a home-based cocktail experience. She noted that the early production challenges revealed the strength of her partnership with Sather, the company's vice president of marketing and creative. Rossbach added that she wanted to demonstrate to her daughters the importance of taking action when dissatisfied with existing options.

As the company moves forward, it plans to expand its offerings beyond fruit-based mixers. Future product development includes the introduction of coffee syrups in flavors such as lavender and pistachio.