Can you tell us a bit about the origins of Catalyse life Drinks? What inspired you to start a non-alcoholic beverage brand?
Prior to starting this drink range I struggled to cut down on my drinking. Partly due to finding motivation that lasted longer than 2 days, partly due to the lack of a decent alternative. This meant I was constantly caught in a loop of feeling weak willed & at the mercy of hangovers and broken promises, anyone else been there?
Then in 2021 two things were happening simultaneously, I woke up after a heavy weekend and thought, enough is enough, I can’t fit into my big clothes, my skin looks blotchy, my eyes look puffy - something had to change. I just wasn’t looking forward to the average AF beers on offer and was determined to find something that benefited me, and something that wasn’t another CBD drink.
At the same time I was also panicked by the unrelenting news on climate change and impending danger we find our planet in. I wanted to do something to help. Something more than setting up a charitable direct debit.
What was the moment or motivation that led to the creation of your first product?
With my desire to go beyond Lo & No and create a range that did great things for us, why couldn’t I create a range that did good for the Planet too. Most importantly, a range that helped people on the same missions as me.
I’d love to say the concept arrived fully formed and as it is now, however it wasn’t until after 2 years of brainstorming, dodgy version and trial & error that the Catalyse Life Drinks, with it’s simple mission & bespoke benefits was born.
What is the core mission or vision of Catalyse Life Drinks? How do you see your brand making an impact in the beverage industry?
The mission is simple, to Catalyse a change for You & the Planet. There are loads of AF drinks that taste fantastic or look fantastic, some that do great things for us on a nutritional level, and some that give back to our incredible Planet. However, I couldn’t find a range that combined all these credentials. The way we shop is changing, people are more discerning about what they put in their bodies and want to know that the money they spend is going to have a tangible impact on their daily lives and environment around them. I believe that by combining all these elements in one range of exceptional blends for our everyday needs- Energy, Immunity, Relaxation & Beauty, Catalyse will have a great impact on the beverage industry & the products we consume.
How does your brand approach the growing trend of mindful drinking and the rise of non-alcoholic options?
The biggest issue I had when stopping drinking was that lots of drinks emulated alcohol, or tasted nice, but none had ingredients that had significant nutritional value. Don’t get me wrong, some AF beers & spirits in 2024 are amazing (significantly so since when I stopped in 2019), however, if you’re taking something negative out, why not put something positive in? It was also astounding how easy it was to claim, ‘immunity boosting’. That’s why each product is not only gluten free, low calorie & vegan, but they have high levels, and 100% RDI of the active ingredients inside.