Sometimes we forget to put a value on things that are most readily available to us. We forget the natural bond we share. We forget the urge to get the best of it for us. Just a safety limit becomes a parameter using which we decide what to buy and what not to.
This also applies for the water we drink. We are often satisfied to get our hands on a bottle and do not bother about the brand or the value they provide. In fact, most of us do not even know the difference in taste or properties that various brands bring to the table. But for Ashley Epperson and her partner, this was an insight that triggered a business idea of launching a brand called Salacious Drinks.
Ashley’s steps are an intense fusion of a practice of delivering the best and the best possible medium of delivering it to end users. The source they explore is nature, hence no tap waters or purified means are involved. They have also set up an online presence to sail along with the tide of time. Exeleon Magazine proudly interviews this Dynamic Entrepreneur to learn more about her journey, the challenges she faced, and her vision for the business.
What according to you makes for a dynamic entrepreneur? How do you integrate the same thought into your leadership?
For me, it’s a human’s ability to pivot when the situation does not go the way they are expected to. But they remain steadfast that the decision made was the right one. I have always been told that I am an extreme optimist; I will pour until the cup is overflowing! I am learning when to turn while keeping that outlook of positivity.
What prompted the inception of Salacious Drinks? What was the idea behind the name of the company?
I met my partner at work (we were both in the grocery industry), and the moment we met he confronted me about my beverage of choice (store brand water). He was drinking a name brand and swore his was better. We tried both and I could taste the difference in brands. We started to get to know each other and made a game out of trying all the brands we could get our hands on.
Eventually, we started to travel and learned that certain areas had brands which we couldn’t find where we lived. An idea was thus forming. One day on his drive home, he expressed this idea of opening a water store, and I loved it! He told me it was 2016 and we should open it online. So we jumped in.
What’s in a name? Well ours is simple, salacious is provocative, alluring. We wanted people to associate water with that idea. Patrons have forever been offered unique bottles of wine/spirits and then given just a glass of water. That is terrible! There is so much more to water and we wanted that to be conveyed in our name first.
What has the journey been like for Ashley Epperson over the years?
My journey has been one of learning, trusting, and determination. The idea that we could shake up the water industry and create a subcategory for premium brands has been long and hard but definitely worth it.
Looking back, what would you have done different when starting out?
I would have stuck to the premise of my online store. We fought so hard in the beginning to get brands to even understand that we wanted to create this thing online; most would not even give us the time of day! We saw so many avenues and tried to chase them all at once.
What has been the biggest driving factor for you as a leader and entrepreneur?
My greatest motivating factor is the love for what I do. We turned what my partner and I enjoyed as a connection between friends into a business. The curiosity of building the reality of what was once a common interest is what keeps me going.
What would be your advice for aspiring and emerging entrepreneurs?
My advice is a bit off kilter for most. I believe you have to be selfish to start. You cannot have it all in the beginning. It’s not an easy path to take, but if you are willing to be uncomfortable for a few years to have what most will never, then go for it.
What makes Salacious Drinks a premier bottled water company?
Salacious Drinks specializes in only naturally sourced waters – so no tap water or purified brands. We want the best that nature has to offer. There are so many sources and stories that go along with each brand and we want to showcase it for our customers. We make sure we have a connection to the source so we can verify each brand we sell/promote is authentic.
What has been the biggest roadblock during your journey?
The biggest roadblock for me has been myself! If I get sidetracked or start to question the process then it will show, the sales will slow down, the customer engagement will dry up. When you realize that the only thing that matters is succeeding, then everything else really does become trivial.
What is the future like for Salacious Drinks and you personally?
The future is truly becoming the number one place to go for imported and domestic bottled waters. We want to help grow brands and bring new experiences to people. Personally, I see myself reshaping how the beverage industry views water. I want them to come to us as the experts on all things water.
Finally, what do you think is the most important trait for an entrepreneur and why?
The most important trait for any entrepreneur is honesty. Can you honestly put up with all the perceived loneliness? The late nights? The seemingly endless failures? Take a long hard look in that mirror and be honest with yourself. Once you can do that – then you have nothing in your way but success.
