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What It Really Takes to Build a Business That Lasts with April Wachtel

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Manage episode 515027700 series 3528051
Content provided by Betsy Leonidas. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Betsy Leonidas or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

This week, Betsy sits down with April Wachtel, founder of Cheeky Cocktails, to pull back the curtain on what it actually takes to build a consumer brand that lasts.

No fluff, just the real reels.

They go deep on:

  • Why distribution isn’t a sales channel (and how it can kill small brands)
  • Surviving where 90% of beverage brands die in 2 years, cash, MOQs, and ruthless focus
  • The DTC-first playbook and how to expand without over-leveraging
  • Funding when you’re not “VC cute”: SBA loans, angels, equity crowdfunding, working capital (and what to avoid)
  • Founder-led marketing on a tiny budget: hooks, thumbnails, events, community, and consistency
  • Imposter syndrome vs. execution, and the power of the incremental pivot—stacking small wins into big momentum
  • Building a business while protecting your energy (marathon, not sprint)

If you’re in the early days, you’ll feel seen.

If you’re on the fence, you’ll feel sparked. If you’re scaling, you’ll get tactics you can deploy this week.

Cheeky Cocktails:
https://cheekycocktails.co/?dt_id=2633162&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23030475518&gbraid=0AAAAA_DuLjwQe_Xll5ysqNCwYccrLaQfr&gclid=CjwKCAjw3tzHBhBREiwAlMJoUn0rP_o53AAmy2edIeGjik4MbInqmlCl2S0ERjN7KEuyL6fSE4dxfhoCtBoQAvD_BwE
GETCHEEKY15 get 15% off your next purchase.
Cheeky Cocktails Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/cheekycocktails?igsh=c3hjYzJrZHRldHMx
Support the show

Connect with Betsy:

Website: writeyourownstory.co

Email: betsy@writeyourownstory.co

Instagram: write_your_own_story_co Or betsyleo

Youtube:writeyourownstorypodcast
More:
SHOP MY AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/shop/write_your_own_story_co
FEMALE FOUNDERS MASTERCLASS: https://writeyourownstory.co/ffa-courses

GET 10% OFF YOUR OURA RING:


https://ouraring.com/raf/216ee90575?utm_source=user&utm_medium=iac_raf&utm_type=alwayson-cvr&utm_campaign=2025RAF&utm_variant=2025_raf_july


HUNGRYROOT:
code: WRITEYOUROWNSTORY40
https://www.hungryroot.com/?promo=WRITEYOUROWNSTORY40&b=1197&utm_source=write-your-own-story&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=in-house
DONATE TO CINCY's CHILDREN HOSPITAL:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2270822/support

FLODESK

  • Give your friends 50% off their first year of Flodesk and get $19 when they join!
  continue reading

87 episodes

Artwork
iconShare
 
Manage episode 515027700 series 3528051
Content provided by Betsy Leonidas. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Betsy Leonidas or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

This week, Betsy sits down with April Wachtel, founder of Cheeky Cocktails, to pull back the curtain on what it actually takes to build a consumer brand that lasts.

No fluff, just the real reels.

They go deep on:

  • Why distribution isn’t a sales channel (and how it can kill small brands)
  • Surviving where 90% of beverage brands die in 2 years, cash, MOQs, and ruthless focus
  • The DTC-first playbook and how to expand without over-leveraging
  • Funding when you’re not “VC cute”: SBA loans, angels, equity crowdfunding, working capital (and what to avoid)
  • Founder-led marketing on a tiny budget: hooks, thumbnails, events, community, and consistency
  • Imposter syndrome vs. execution, and the power of the incremental pivot—stacking small wins into big momentum
  • Building a business while protecting your energy (marathon, not sprint)

If you’re in the early days, you’ll feel seen.

If you’re on the fence, you’ll feel sparked. If you’re scaling, you’ll get tactics you can deploy this week.

Cheeky Cocktails:
https://cheekycocktails.co/?dt_id=2633162&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23030475518&gbraid=0AAAAA_DuLjwQe_Xll5ysqNCwYccrLaQfr&gclid=CjwKCAjw3tzHBhBREiwAlMJoUn0rP_o53AAmy2edIeGjik4MbInqmlCl2S0ERjN7KEuyL6fSE4dxfhoCtBoQAvD_BwE
GETCHEEKY15 get 15% off your next purchase.
Cheeky Cocktails Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/cheekycocktails?igsh=c3hjYzJrZHRldHMx
Support the show

Connect with Betsy:

Website: writeyourownstory.co

Email: betsy@writeyourownstory.co

Instagram: write_your_own_story_co Or betsyleo

Youtube:writeyourownstorypodcast
More:
SHOP MY AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/shop/write_your_own_story_co
FEMALE FOUNDERS MASTERCLASS: https://writeyourownstory.co/ffa-courses

GET 10% OFF YOUR OURA RING:


https://ouraring.com/raf/216ee90575?utm_source=user&utm_medium=iac_raf&utm_type=alwayson-cvr&utm_campaign=2025RAF&utm_variant=2025_raf_july


HUNGRYROOT:
code: WRITEYOUROWNSTORY40
https://www.hungryroot.com/?promo=WRITEYOUROWNSTORY40&b=1197&utm_source=write-your-own-story&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=in-house
DONATE TO CINCY's CHILDREN HOSPITAL:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2270822/support

FLODESK

  • Give your friends 50% off their first year of Flodesk and get $19 when they join!
  continue reading

87 episodes

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