Mocktails with Marina21 Jul 2025

Interview with Abbie Romanul: Founder of Raising the Bar

In this episode of Mocktails with Marina, we sit down with Abbie Romanul, founder of Raising the Bar, the zero-proof cocktail kit subscription that's become a staple for mindful drinkers, sober-curious folks, and wellness-forward hosts across the U.S.

Abbie shares her deeply personal journey—from quietly deciding to stop drinking after one too many mornings filled with shame and exhaustion, to realizing how few options existed for those who still craved the ritual, flavor, and experience of a great cocktail without the alcohol. That moment sparked the idea for Raising the Bar, a brand now known for curating monthly boxes packed with premium non-alcoholic spirits, mixers, bar tools, and mixologist-crafted recipes.

We talk about the realities of building a non-alcoholic business as a mom of three (including while pregnant during a pandemic!), how she balances creativity with logistics, and what it really takes to scale a purpose-driven CPG brand in the functional beverage industry.

Abbie also reflects on the unexpected emotional challenges of sobriety, the deeper meaning of celebration, and how Raising the Bar customers—from liver cancer patients to cocktail enthusiasts—are using her kits to feel included, intentional, and connected.

Whether you're looking for zero-proof drink ideas, exploring non-alcoholic business models, or just want a peek behind the scenes of building a thoughtful, scalable brand—this episode will hit home.

Explore Raising the Bar: www.weareraisingthebar.com
Follow @weareraisingthebar on Instagram

Start your own non-alc business: www.marinamars.com/themodernmocktail

Denne episoden er hentet fra en åpen RSS-feed og er ikke publisert av Podme. Den kan derfor inneholde annonser.

Episoder(114)

your employees are your community too

When owners in the kava and non-alc industry talk about community, they usually mean their regulars. In this episode of Mocktails with Marina, Marina turns the lens around to the community standing be...

10 Nov 11min

ownership! i wrote you a job description (follow this SOP to get your life back)

When you opened your business, someone asked about your menu, your location, and your budget. Nobody asked what your job would be. So in this episode of Mocktails with Marina, Marina wrote one for you...

2 Nov 12min

never spend dollars counting pennies

Marina once watched a business spend more than $100,000 in two years switching point of sale systems, all to save a few hundred dollars a month. In this episode of Mocktails with Marina, she breaks do...

26 Okt 12min

what a sober mama wishes your kava bar knew before thanksgiving

Marina sits on both sides of the counter. She's a consultant who has worked with more than a thousand beverage businesses since 2014, and between Thanksgiving and New Year's she's also your customer: ...

19 Okt 12min

being needed is the most expensive feeling

When was the last time you went a full Saturday without checking your phone? In this episode of Mocktails with Marina, Marina takes kava bar, non-alc lounge, and booze-free bottle shop owners through ...

12 Okt 13min

i took a client call before my dad's wake: building a business for your worst day

After four months away, Marina is back. In the comeback episode of Mocktails with Marina, she shares why the show went quiet after episode 108 and what kept her family business running while she stepp...

5 Okt 11min

commitment: what it takes to really make it (professionals vs hobbyists)

What separates the entrepreneurs who actually make it from the ones who almost do? In this episode of Mocktails with Marina, we're talking about commitment not the motivational poster version, but the...

29 Mai 22min

love, as a state: there are 2 types of business owners (which one are you?)

There are two types of non-alcoholic beverage business owners: those who build from love, and those who build from fear. In this episode of Mocktails with Marina, Marina breaks down exactly what each ...

15 Mai 15min