Meet Kelli Lopez of Desert Drinks & Exotics

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelli Lopez.

Hi Kelli, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Desert Drinks & Exotics is co-owned by myself, Kelli Lopez, and Michael Garber. Both in our mid-twenties, we grew up in the Flowing Wells District in Tucson, AZ, and spent most lives there until 2019 when we moved to Phoenix for me to accept a position in aquatics management after the YMCA closed a Y in one of the most impoverished neighborhoods in Tucson resulting in me being laid off. I worked in aquatics for a few months longer before I decided to leave and help Michael with Desert Drinks which at the time was a small instagram page that offered delivery in Phoenix and surrounding areas. As our reputation for quality and reliable service quickly grew, so did our inventory and customer base. Eventually, the room we had been using to keep products in our house ran out of space and we rented our first very small space where we peddled snacks until COVID-19 hit.

Surprisingly, COVID-19 catapulted our business with a huge influx of online orders thanks to our already reputable website www.Desert-Drinks.com – and we had to move into our current space at 1902 E McDowell Rd. We have been on the Miracle Mile McDowell corridor for 3 years now and love the community. As two kids from Tucson, we never would have imagined that we would own a business selling snacks and drinks from around the world, and it is because of the Phoenix community that is possible.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Being a 25-year-old Latina Business Owner I have been met with lots of doubt.

I don’t know a single business owner who has had a smooth road. Business owners and human and humans are constantly learning. Mine most commonly made the mistake of spreading myself too thin and being self-critical. At the end of the day, it’s just snacks.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
At Desert Drinks and Exotics, we sell snacks and drinks from around the world like Kit Kats from Japan, Fanta from Costa Rica, and Lays from Belgium.

We ship to all 50 states and pride ourselves in having competitive pricing and diverse inventory. Desert Drinks & Exotics is a family-friendly environment and we are excited to share the flavors of other cultures.

What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Currently, there are a lot of small businesses selling exotic snacks and drinks, with the changing economy and culture trends the businesses that want to succeed need to set themselves apart.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.Desert-Drinks.com
• Instagram: Instagram.com/desert_drinks
• Facebook: Facebook.com/desert_drinks