Mixly Beverage Co, a cocktail mixer company based in New Hope, Minnesota, was founded by Johnna Rossbach and Megan Sather as a response to Rossbach's frustration with existing mixer options on store shelves [1]. Rossbach, who spent 15 years in a career she found unfulfilling, decided to launch the venture after becoming a mother, stating "I wanted to show my daughters what it looks like to be empowered, and that if you're not happy with something, change it" [1]. The company creates "a line of fruit-forward cocktail mixers made with real ingredients" [1], with Rossbach leveraging her background in marketing and communications while Sather contributed design expertise [1].
The company's origin story reflects the founders' resilience and commitment to their vision. On their first working night, the team encountered multiple operational challenges: their juicer broke, forcing them to hand-squeeze limes, and their labeler malfunctioned, requiring manual label application [1]. Despite these setbacks, they worked from 4 p.m. until 3 a.m., with Rossbach reflecting that "That was the moment we realized we made the best business partners" [1]. This experience established a pattern of hands-on manufacturing that has continued as the company has grown [1].
Mixly has maintained a bootstrap business model throughout its development. The company is "self-funded from the beginning, without outside equity investors," with Rossbach and Sather intentionally choosing to build independently and maintain control [1]. The founders initially produced products in a rented kitchen while exploring scaling options, with Rossbach acknowledging that "When you start a business, there is no map" and describing the constant challenges of facing the unknown, self-doubt, and the possibility of failure [1]. The personal financial commitment remains significant, as Rossbach stated: "We've put our own money, time and countless hours of work into Mixly" [1].
CONCLUSION
Mixly Beverage Co represents a bootstrapped entrepreneurial venture focused on premium, fruit-forward cocktail mixers with real ingredients, built by founders committed to maintaining operational control and personal ownership. The company's self-funded model and hands-on manufacturing approach reflect the founders' determination to build an independent brand, though specific market performance metrics and growth figures are not available in the source material.