Inspiring Conversations with Kyle Hollenbeck of AZ LEMONADE STAND

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kyle Hollenbeck

Hi Kyle , it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
We started with Putting Lemonade in a Jar on our Food trucks and realized down the road we wanted to create a brand behind it. AZ Lemonade Stand was born. It was something we wanted to build because its Arizonas Official Drink and we love working with unique flavors. We started with Original, Strawberry, Prickly pear, Mango and Jamaica Tea. It grew to several more.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
This was not a smooth road! We had to figure out how to make it Shelf stable, source Glass, Build a production Line, Create an entire brand and sell lemonade to all the independent and corporate stores. Going from Jars, to Cases, to pallets to Truck loads of product there were several bumps in the road.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Az Lemonade Stand has sold over 1 million jars mainly in Arizona and is in over 1,000 stores. We make the best handcrafted lemonade in the world! Our 32 oz Mason jar was what got people to impulse buy the product inside is what always gets them to come back. We have over 15 flavors that we rotate and now have a 16 oz plastic version for on the go! I love we have taken something (Lemonade) that everyone loves and put an Arizona spin on it. Our prickly pear Lemonade is the most popular. We are working on a low sugar version and even more ways to get it!

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I have no Ego when it comes to asking for help. I keep myself around people smarter and more experienced than me because I thrive on that. You can take advice with a grain of salt but the more you take meetings and discuss with mentors the more you will hear a running theme and whatever that theme is I always say lean into it. Linked in is great and honestly reaching out to people you hear on podcasts or even Intro is a great source.

Pricing:

• Our Lemonade sells at $6.99-$8.99 a jar and $3.99 a bottle in most stores.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.azlemonadestand.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/azlemonadestand/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/azlemonadestand/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m46-6z7VPa8