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12
Feb
2021

New Botanical Beverage That Gave A Bad Name: TRIP

by Michael Kotendzhi | Food & Drink
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Now the brand is renamed “Free Rain”, but originally the founder, Colin McCabe wants to give the beverage the name “Trip”. Due to potential misinterpretation of the product which might hint at the consumers, the founder was forced to give it another thought.  

The main feeling on the product given to the consumers was to capture the idea of being in nature and encouraging an active lifestyle. The concept was complying with the botanical ingredients consist of ginger, fruits, and flowers in all signature blends. However, the name “Trip” had misled the consumers to think that it would give them the experiences in hallucinatory, a psychedelic effect.  

A single 12oz “Free Rain” drink contained only 5 g of natural fruit sugar with no extra additives and the characteristics focused on the flavor factor to achieve the finished product the founder wanted. With years of experience in the restaurant business, the owner, McCabe was learning his way into the beverage business taken upon making “Free Rain” a success.  

The initiation of launching the beverage line was interrupted and altered by COVID-19. Instead of serving it within the restaurant front, grocery store, and direct-to-consumer, the entire strategy was revered to introduce the product line by marketing in grocery stores. McCabe took the solid and steady marketing by putting the product through retail channels and centralized the supply flow.  


Michael Kotendzhi is President of Operations & Transportation and a partner at 18 Wheels. Michael has over 15 years of experience and is equipped with a degree in Logistics from the University of British Columbia Sauder School of Business. As well as a background in logistics from XPO Logistics (formally Kelron Logistics), North America's largest contract warehousing provider.

Michael's experience includes supply chain management, reverse logistics, & domestic transportation. He has developed 18 Wheels' trucking solutions, effectively utilizing the sister company's vehicle fleet and building a transportation supply-chain network across North America.