Chas Smith (Co-Founder & CEO, Sap! Beverages)

Young Founders Podcast

Chas is a cofounder and the CEO of Sap! Beverages. He founded the company alongside his cousin Nikita. Sap! has been featured in USA Today, Country Living, Food & Wine Magazine, and many more.

Their products were featured in Whole Foods' Top Trends for 2018 and the pair made an appearance on NBC's Shark Tank with famed investors Mark Cuban, Robert Herjavek, Barbara Corcoran, Rohan Ohza, and Lori Griener.

They ultimately turned down an offer from Herjavek for 30% of their company, valuing the business at close to $2m.

Some of the things we discuss with Chas on this episode of the podcast:

• How running his business has set him up to succeed in his future endeavors regardless of the industry.
• How to find a product-market fit and better understand the opportunity for your business
• Launching the product at a single location- City Market in downtown Burlington, VT.
• His experience developing new, innovative products that the market had never seen
• Why it's so important to understand your customer and what they care about
• Why he turned down a deal on NBC's Shark Tark
• Chas' feelings about sacrificing a career in law in order to build his own company.
• How social media has helped distinguish Sap! and build their fanbase

It takes constant hard work and hard truths about your products. I'm really a strong believer that you have to go through the experience yourself to learn.

You can find Sap! products online at SapVT.com and follow along on their journey on social media @DrinkSap.

Check out more episodes of the Young Founders Podcast.