Student takes on the Vodka market. First preorders done!

[Bonnarp]

First and foremost! Thanks to MJ and Mikkel for bringing me here. MJ books have changed my mindset about work, money and the future for me and my parents with his books that i have read and studied many times. Also thanks to Mikkel, a fellow forum insider who host the inventor meetup where i got my first taste at the community of this forum as i have simply been a lurkur for many years.

About the product: It's Europes first color changing vodka. Infused with Buttefly Pea Blossoms to give it it's indigo hue aswell as the ability to change to violett or azul blue depending on the PH.
It's a product for cocktial bars and people who likes to make fancy drinks for their friends.

About me: 23 Y old swedish collage student. I study Product Design at the Royal Institute of Thechnology in Stockholm. I worked before as a real cocktail bartender in Stockholm before college (i say real cocktail bartender as many bartender only know rum and coke and does not know the ingredients for a dirty martini). I am still a hobby bartender at home and love spirits.

Story of the product journey: Some years ago i wanted to get my hands on the canadian gin Empress 1908, also infused with BPB. But it tasted like shit. So i made it with vodka, a neutral flavoured spirit. I made cocktails at home with it, got alot of WOWS! from my friends and showed the bottle of my home made vodka to my old Bar Boss and he wanted to buy it if i make it. In Sweden, we drink a ton of alcohol but we have the most rules about it. So making your vodka on the shelf of our Monopaly company Systembolaget is not easy. But after 2 years i have found a co-packer, finished the recipie, created a bottle and label and been granted green light to have my Vodka being avalible at every Systembolag IN THE WHOLE COUNTRY! Drawback? Its not on the shelfs, you need to manually order it online and will be avalible for pickup within a week. Very nice but i need to market the heck out of it.

As of now it's supposed to be avalible in sweden this fall. And when thats done im going to work to get it around in Europe. My old bar i worked and a friends bar already has preordered a box of 6 bottles each. And over 20 of my friends and family also preordered. While that feels amazing i have yet to get a preorder from a stranger.
My journey has already taken 2 years but has just started. Alot of problems will arise and i need to solve them, and alot of work that will take.

If you have any questions feel free to ask as i will answer all of them. Again thanks Mikkel and MJ. This is going to be a fun ride.

Social media platforms i use for the Cosmic Vodka if you want to see the product.

TikTok - Make Your Day

CosmicVodka (@cosmicvodkasv) • Instagram profile

94 Followers, 3 Following, 49 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from CosmicVodka (@cosmicvodkasv)

www.instagram.com

Will update this thread with news and insight i want to share.

Many Thanks!

TL😀R
23 Y old swedes releses color changing vodka in sweden. Already got preorders from bars and restaurants. Buissnes is fun but challengeing.

My english writing sucks but hope you can read!

 

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[SEBASTlAN]

Awesome. Can't wait to try it !

 

[StrikingViper69]

Awesome. Can't wait to try it !

Something like that, I imagine YouTube shorts and tiktok would be great, make some videos showing off the colour changing aspect

 

[Bonnarp]

Awesome. Can't wait to try it !

Thanks Sebastian. Are youself a swede or where are you from?
Thanks for reading and commenting.

 

[Bonnarp]

Something like that, I imagine YouTube shorts and tiktok would be great, make some videos showing off the colour changing aspect

Thats true. Right now im posting my concent on instagram and tiktok, with one of my first videos getting over 100k views and alot of "where can i buy that" comments. Youtue is probobly something i should look into.
Thanks for the advice and the comment Viper!

 

[Bonnarp]

Hey yall.

Everything is checked and ready to go with the production. It has taken way to long but its here soon. While i wait for every swede out there to get their hands on their own bottle i keep making content with the ones i have. Today i made the simple Vodka and tonic. Imo one of the more less exiting drinks but god damn this one looks so fantastic. I try to one up all my cocktails with the small stuff and i think ive almost nailed it. Im going to leave you a picture i took of the cocktail. Will update more soon!

 

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[Stargazer]

Great name. FYI cosmicvodkas (you can have a range) is available as .com and .co.uk for 1p and 79p

You would be a bit stupid in my opinion not to nab both of them literally right now. 80p for both is 1 euro.

123 Reg Domain Name Search

Pay less for domain names. Bulk pricing and private domain name registration options. Transfer domain names risk-free.

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Dan

 

[Bonnarp]

Great name. FYI cosmicvodkas (you can have a range) is available as .com and .co.uk for 1p and 79p

You would be a bit stupid in my opinion not to nab both of them literally right now. 80p for both is 1 euro.

123 Reg Domain Name Search

Pay less for domain names. Bulk pricing and private domain name registration options. Transfer domain names risk-free.

www.123-reg.co.uk

Dan

Thanks for the info Dan. Good to know. I will be looking into the proccess of making a website and such in the coming weeks. Cheers.

 

[h0pe]

Thanks for the info Dan. Good to know. I will be looking into the proccess of making a website and such in the coming weeks. Cheers.

Great work! I really love the color changing aspect of your drink, it's gonna be a real game changer in your niche. Simple & innovative things like that can boost you above the competition.

I don't know if I'm allowed to do this however if you'd like some help with your website I could help you, I'm into web development and would love to work with you.

 

[Bonnarp]

Great work! I really love the color changing aspect of your drink, it's gonna be a real game changer in your niche. Simple & innovative things like that can boost you above the competition.

I don't know if I'm allowed to do this however if you'd like some help with your website I could help you, I'm into web development and would love to work with you.

Hey man! Thanks for taking the time to read and comment!

Thanks for the kind words. We're expecting to relese the product next month in sweden and from what i know its easy to get into stores or buissneses in the EU and after that we will see how the growth goes.
When it comes to the website im going to use Wordpress and see what works. When that is done i will post it here for any feedback from a costumers POV. Don't know how you could help me before that but i apriciate the offer alot!

 

[Sean P]

It appears to be a unique concept, and I have not come across anything else like it.

If it is only available through manual ordering, you need to plan a promotion to spread the word. More importantly, highlight the need for it i.e. what will people get out of a beverage that changes color. The answer could be to make a party more fun etc.. You need "an angle" to promote your product so that people notice it and start buying.

Coca-Cola ads, for example, portray joy and togetherness, as well as happiness and positive emotions. The majority of the advertisements revolve around celebrations, with Coke playing an important role. Good luck!

 

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[Bonnarp]

It appears to be a unique concept, and I have not come across anything else like it.

If it is only available through manual ordering, you need to plan a promotion to spread the word. More importantly, highlight the need for it i.e. what will people get out of a beverage that changes color. The answer could be to make a party more fun etc.. You need "an angle" to promote your product so that people notice it and start buying.

Coca-Cola ads, for example, portray joy and togetherness, as well as happiness and positive emotions. The majority of the advertisements revolve around celebrations, with Coke playing an important role. Good luck!

My main target audience is the bar and resturant industry in sweden. Those who takes their cocktails game serious and know the value of good looking cocktails. Im certain the word will spread through word of mouth. As this is a very instagram and tiktok friendly spirit and cocktails aswell as never seen before in sweden. But you are right with the community and celebration is perfect for this. The cocktail girls night i think will be a perfect scenario with my vodka.

Thanks for the comment!

 

[Bonnarp]

IT IS OUT!

This is the event that has taken 2 years in the making but the first batch is out for sale. I have visited the destillery last week and saw how they by hand produced all 1250 bottles and now they are avalible in the entire country.

If you live in sweden you can order it as of today on systembolagets webpage! Cosmic Vodka

But this is only the beginning. As of now i will focus on marketing. Getting the word out there to the bars. Making content for tiktok and instagram. It will be a journey of problems and i will have to solve them best of my ability. But i will make sure that i will keep this thread updated. And this all started with a book. Thanks MJ!

 

[Subsonic]

IT IS OUT!

This is the event that has taken 2 years in the making but the first batch is out for sale. I have visited the destillery last week and saw how they by hand produced all 1250 bottles and now they are avalible in the entire country.

If you live in sweden you can order it as of today on systembolagets webpage! Cosmic Vodka

But this is only the beginning. As of now i will focus on marketing. Getting the word out there to the bars. Making content for tiktok and instagram. It will be a journey of problems and i will have to solve them best of my ability. But i will make sure that i will keep this thread updated. And this all started with a book. Thanks MJ!

I'd love to order one for a friend of mine.

Sadly I am not in Sweden.

 

[Bonnarp]

I'd love to order one for a friend of mine.

Sadly I am not in Sweden.

Makes me very happy to hear that. Sorry that it is as of now only avalible in sweden. I can hopefully withing the years end get it into other EU countries with Germany being in one of them. There is a Berlin Bar Convetntion in october that I have been recomended to attend but my finances is not large enough yet to buy myself into one there.

 

[MarcoAguilar]

Amazing work, something simple yet innovative, I can totally see this being a hit, however out of curiosity, how is the entry barrier for a product like this? Couldnt it be easily replicated by competitors? Genuinely asking because I have no idea about anything related to Vodka.

Other than that keep up the good work and wish u the best.

 

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[BizyDad]

Congrats on this big step.

 

[Bonnarp]

Amazing work, something simple yet innovative, I can totally see this being a hit, however out of curiosity, how is the entry barrier for a product like this? Couldnt it be easily replicated by competitors? Genuinely asking because I have no idea about anything related to Vodka.

Other than that keep up the good work and wish u the best.

Thanks man! Appriciate the compliment.
I would say that the entry barrier is not so much about skills like programming etc but more financially to be able to buy the first batch. In Sweden we have alot of ruels and regulations when it comes to alcohol but thanks to my co-destillery I have recieved alot of help and good contacts to make the journey easier.
As of now I created this vodka 2 years ago. I would say you cant to this in 1 weekm 1 month or maybe not even 6 months. But if you know what you're doing maybe 6 months at best. But from someone who has no idea it took me alot longer but im so happy with the result.
Cheers!

 

[Bonnarp]

Congrats on this big step.

Thanks alot man! One big step done. Thousands more smaller ones to go.

 

[Bonnarp]

Update!:

So after a week now i have gotten quite a few orders. Most if not all is from family, friends or colleges. Im happy for this however i will not throw a party until i se orders from general people who i dont know personally. Thats is where the marketing is key. As MJ said, great idea is nothing without executions. So now i have to give that my all.

But i will share som photos my colleges have sent me from their ordered bottles!

 

[Bonnarp]

Hello again.

I just wanted to share something that i remember from @MJ DeMarco books that i not figured out myself from my experience.

I just posted a cocktail video from with my newly launched Cocktail-vodka. The Tiktok video blew up with as of now 170K views when i usually get around 1000 top.
People voice their opinions that its way to expensive compared to normal vodka. Such like swedens 6th largest company Absolut Vodka. Or whats the difference between Cosmic and other vodkas. I realize after answering some of these comments that they are all the same, they are not going to change their mind and im not going to feed them anymore and let them keep posting.

So from MJ told us in the books that the costumer is the president but they can be booted out. I will keep on posting free media content but will stop to feed the trolls.

See you soon with more updates!

 

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[Uly Sambrano]

Pretty cool! I gave you a follow on insta

 

[Bounce Back]

Hello again.

I just wanted to share something that i remember from @MJ DeMarco books that i not figured out myself from my experience.

I just posted a cocktail video from with my newly launched Cocktail-vodka. The Tiktok video blew up with as of now 170K views when i usually get around 1000 top.
People voice their opinions that its way to expensive compared to normal vodka. Such like swedens 6th largest company Absolut Vodka. Or whats the difference between Cosmic and other vodkas. I realize after answering some of these comments that they are all the same, they are not going to change their mind and im not going to feed them anymore and let them keep posting.

So from MJ told us in the books that the costumer is the president but they can be booted out. I will keep on posting free media content but will stop to feed the trolls.

See you soon with more updates!

View attachment 57749

I’d also think: who cares if it’s not the cheapest? It’s not a commodity type vodka.

 

[amp0193]

People voice their opinions that its way to expensive compared to normal vodka. Such like swedens 6th largest company Absolut Vodka. Or whats the difference between Cosmic and other vodkas. I realize after answering some of these comments that they are all the same, they are not going to change their mind and im not going to feed them anymore and let them keep posting.

So from MJ told us in the books that the costumer is the president but they can be booted out. I will keep on posting free media content but will stop to feed the trolls.

Great attitude. Definitely don't lower your price to satisfy the haters. But you should engage with them, because people will scroll through the comments and see your responses. Each comment response is a chance to sell your product to those people (you won't convert the trolls, but you might convert others).

But don't forget that most people watching your videos are seeing your video for the very first time. Put your USP in every video so it is very clear what's special about it.


For example, on your website it says (translated): "
The first vodka of its kind in Europe
Because everyone can create impressive drinks"


That tells me nothing about what's special about it.

What's special is that it changes color so you need to say that very clearly.

 

[Bonnarp]

Pretty cool! I gave you a follow on insta

Thanks alot man!

 

[Bonnarp]

I’d also think: who cares if it’s not the cheapest? It’s not a commodity type vodka.

Ye i agree, that is very true and i have always thought like that. It just felt different now when you realize something you heard for so long because you get to experience that enlightment youself.

 

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[Bonnarp]

Great attitude. Definitely don't lower your price to satisfy the haters. But you should engage with them, because people will scroll through the comments and see your responses. Each comment response is a chance to sell your product to those people (you won't convert the trolls, but you might convert others).

But don't forget that most people watching your videos are seeing your video for the very first time. Put your USP in every video so it is very clear what's special about it.


For example, on your website it says (translated): "
The first vodka of its kind in Europe
Because everyone can create impressive drinks"


That tells me nothing about what's special about it.

What's special is that it changes color so you need to say that very clearly.

Hey man, first of all thanks for the info! Thats something i agree on and changed it immedietly.

I don't agree with responding to trolls. I agree that people will read it but i think those are battles i cant win anything from. I answer genuine comments, not those who come to complain or ask for lower prices.

I take that USP stand for Unique selling point. I have that USP on my instagram and tiktok but i will update my webpage with that info.

Its really nice to get this kind of feedback on my content and channels, some thing you miss and its nice to have a fastlaner who checks up on you

 

[Bonnarp]

FIRST SOLD UNIT TO A STRANGER!

Im very happy and excited to say that i got a comment on one of my tiktok videos that a girl has ordered a bottle of Cosmic Vodka. Now, its not the first person to order, but so far it has only been from people i know, colleges, family and friends. However, because i only get a list of purcheses once a month i as of writing dont know if shes the first one to order. But she is the first to messege me that she has ordered one. So i count this as an absolute win and is very happy!

Translation: "Really nice , just ordered Cosmic Vodka from the store and want to try some of these recipes. But where in the world can you find Wildmix? Blue Forest is almost impossible to get "

Wildmix is a colorfull sweet soda that a young femele entrepenour is having great success with. We're talking about a colaboration witch i think will be a great success for us both!

 

[Dr. Daytona]

FIRST SOLD UNIT TO A STRANGER!

Im very happy and excited to say that i got a comment on one of my tiktok videos that a girl has ordered a bottle of Cosmic Vodka. Not its not the first person to order, but so far it has only been from people i know, colleges, family and friends. However, because i only get a list of purcheses once a month i as of writing dont know if shes the first one to order. But she is the first to messege me that she has ordered one. So i count this as an absolute win and is very happy!

Translation: "Really nice , just ordered Cosmic Vodka from the store and want to try some of these recipes. But where in the world can you find Wildmix? Blue Forest is almost impossible to get "

Wildmix is a colorfull sweet soda that a young femele entrepenour is having great success with. We're talking about a colaboration witch i think will be a great success for us both!

View attachment 57866

Congratulations, that collab is gonna be great not long until your brand blows up. id do more research on doing a proper product launch. must feel great to get your first sale!

 

[Bonnarp]

Congratulations, that collab is gonna be great not long until your brand blows up. id do more research on doing a proper product launch. must feel great to get your first sale!

I really does! I have not celebrated my sales yet because imo family and friends can buy stuff basicly no matter what it is. But now a stranger have put out 45$ for my product witch feels so good!

I think my vodka can get more eyes on it with this influencer, i dont know what you mean about a proper launch. When it comes to alcohol in sweden the rules are pretty tight and its hard to commercialize it in any proper way.