Sobah Beverages produces Australia’s only locally brewed, non-alcoholic craft beer infused with bush tucker ingredients. Simultaneously, the company raises money to establish holistic drug and alcohol healing programs.
The team’s big wins began when they launched a campaign with crowdfunding platform Pozible, which enabled them to raise enough money to launch Sobah commercially in a can. The campaign also helped the company grow its audience and create a strong community around its product.
This community has become key for the Sobah team’s success. The founders felt most people who didn’t drink alcohol missed out on the comradery and community that surrounded the craft beer industry.
Sobah Beverages’ products allows those who choose not to drink to still feel a part of the group.
The company’s network of fans, retailers and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities have provided endless support since the startup launched.
Sobah Beverages has experienced rapid growth since its commercial launch in December 2017.
Co-founders and husband-wife team Gamilaroi man Clinton Schultz and Lozen McDiarmid-Schultz have found themselves in an industry in which neither of them have any training or long-term experience.
“Every milestone has been challenging but also rewarding,” Lozen said.
The pair say learning on the job has had its ups and downs and are now looking to forecast their moves and goals for both the short and long term.
“We’ve made a lot of mistakes in the past two years, and we are constantly seeking mentorship to ensure that we grow in a way that minimises costly mistakes,” Lozen said.
The Gold Coast company was chosen as the second recipient of the Office of the Queensland Chief Entrepreneur’s Adopt-a-Chief Program in 2019.
Queensland Chief Entrepreneur Leanne Kemp visited the brand new Sobah Beverages HQ at Burleigh on the Gold Coast and lent her skills to the team for the day. Find out more here.
