052 | How a Crystal-Clear Target Occasion Helps you Stand Out in the Busiest Market for Your Category | Part 1/2 with Justin Medcraft, Founder of Mate Maker (Los Angeles, CA, USA)
S2:E52

052 | How a Crystal-Clear Target Occasion Helps you Stand Out in the Busiest Market for Your Category | Part 1/2 with Justin Medcraft, Founder of Mate Maker (Los Angeles, CA, USA)

Summary

In Episode 52, I enjoyed chatting with Justin Medcraft, the Founder of Mate Maker Hard Kombucha. He brings a wealth of previous experience in Spirits and Beer. We discussed how to build demand for a start-up drinks brand, stand out amongst a sea of products, and focus on building momentum. I hope you will enjoy our chat. One last thing: If you enjoy this podcast, you will also like the MAFFEO DRINKS Guides. You can subscribe free or paid on maffeodrinks.com Time Stamps 0:00 Introduction 2:04 Building Demand 3:49 Building Community: Brand Or Liquid? 6:15 Mate Maker Elevator Pitch 11:26 The Consumer Pitch 13:07 The Ring Road 19:39 Determining Direction 26:05 Home Turf Advantage 35:09 Growing Beyond Your Hometown 38:01 Outro About The Host: Chris Maffeo About The Guest: Justin Medcraft
Happy 2026. This Episode is hosted by Chris Maffeo and brought to you by MAFFEO DRINKS. A Deep-Dive Analysis of This Episode is Available at maffeodrinks.com

Celebrate with us our 3rd anniversary with a special 30% off forever at
maffeodrinks.com/anniversary  

In Episode 52, I enjoyed chatting with Justin Medcraft, the Founder of Mate Maker Hard Kombucha.

He brings a wealth of previous experience in Spirits and Beer. We discussed how to build demand for a start-up drinks brand, stand out amongst a sea of products, and focus on building momentum.

I hope you will enjoy our chat.


One last thing: If you enjoy this podcast, you will also like the MAFFEO DRINKS Guides. You can subscribe free or paid on maffeodrinks.com


Time Stamps

0:00 Introduction

2:04 Building Demand

3:49 Building Community: Brand Or Liquid?

6:15 Mate Maker Elevator Pitch

11:26 The Consumer Pitch

13:07 The Ring Road

19:39 Determining Direction

26:05 Home Turf Advantage

35:09 Growing Beyond Your Hometown

38:01 Outro


About The Host: Chris Maffeo

About The Guest: Justin Medcraft



This episode is brought to you by MAFFEO DRINKS, an Advisory helping drinks leaders execute bottom-up growth while managing stakeholder expectations.

Celebrate with us our 3rd anniversary with a special 30% off forever at
maffeodrinks.com/anniversary  

Creators and Guests

Chris Maffeo
Host
Chris Maffeo
Building Bottom-Up Strategies WITH Drinks Leaders Managing Top-Down Expectations | MAFFEO DRINKS Founder & Podcast Host
Justin Medcraft
Guest
Justin Medcraft
Founder | Mate Maker