From Scrappy Startup to Multi-Million Dollar Business with Bill Creelman, Founder of Spindrift

When Spindrift first launched in 2010, it was a completely new concept. Sparkling water + fresh squeezed fruit. That’s it. No artificial flavors, no high fructose corn syrup – a sparkling soda made with simple, real, ingredients. Because it was so fresh, it had to be shipped cold in glass bottles, and needed to be kept refrigerated.

Spindrift was not only ahead of the curve but right on time - as fresh foods and natural ingredients were just starting to become mainstream. Now, you can find Spindrift just about anywhere, Whole Foods, Sweetgreen, Target, Trader Joe’s, CVS, or even your local coffee shop or artisanal grocery store. Kristen Bell is a fan and brand ambassador.

To say we are fans is an understatement. We’ve been drinking Spindrift since the early days of the company when we had the pleasure of working with Bill Creelman, Founder & CEO. Bill is one of those rare entrepreneurs who makes running a business look easy (we know it's not) and is one of the most humble and down-to-earth founders out there. Spindrift is not his first company either.

We suggest listening to Bill’s interview with Guy Raz on NPR where he elaborates on his entrepreneurial journey and the founding story of Spindrift. From growing up on a farm in New England, to starting his first company from a fishing boat, to selling his second business, and eventually, hitting his stride and growing Spindrift from a scrappy startup to a multi-million dollar company. It was not a straight path, and success was not always in sight. We could not be more proud of Bill and the Spindrift team for staying focused on their mission and bringing this incredible brand into the world. 

We asked Bill to share a few tips for entrepreneurs who are looking to scale their business and grow a household brand. Check out our full interview and tips below.

Three Tips for Small Business Owners to Keep in Mind as You Grow with Bill Creelman, Serial Entrepreneur, Founder & CEO of Spindrift 

1.) Difficulty can be good - If you are having a hard time articulating your product or services, lean into it. Struggling for language, or trying out different ways of communicating, usually means you are doing something different or creating something brand new. While it is hard work and heavy lifting in the beginning, it is well worth it in the long run. 

2.) Spend time in front of the consumer - Even 10 years in, I still make time to get out in front of the consumer and listen. It sounds simple but oftentimes you end up relying on 3rd party information or other intel, but to me, there is never going to be a situation where it is not important to listen to your customers firsthand. 

3.) Company culture matters - When we were building Spindrift, we were going up against the huge beverage companies and knew we had to be smart in different ways. We knew that building the best team was going to be key. So we invested in building our company culture - and still do. We created an environment where people can contribute, learn, and feel empowered. To new entrepreneurs out there, my advice would be to lean into the team and avoid being a hardheaded founder. It is an easy trap to fall into but one to avoid. Your team is your biggest competitive advantage.