The Write Your Own Story Podcast

What It Really Takes to Build a Business That Lasts with April Wachtel

Betsy Leonidas

This week, Betsy sits down with April Wachtel, founder of Cheeky Cocktails, to pull back the curtain on what it actually takes to build a consumer brand that lasts. 

No fluff, just the real reels.

They go deep on:

  • Why distribution isn’t a sales channel (and how it can kill small brands)
  • Surviving where 90% of beverage brands die in 2 years, cash, MOQs, and ruthless focus
  • The DTC-first playbook and how to expand without over-leveraging
  • Funding when you’re not “VC cute”: SBA loans, angels, equity crowdfunding, working capital (and what to avoid)
  • Founder-led marketing on a tiny budget: hooks, thumbnails, events, community, and consistency
  • Imposter syndrome vs. execution, and the power of the incremental pivot—stacking small wins into big momentum
  • Building a business while protecting your energy (marathon, not sprint)


If you’re in the early days, you’ll feel seen. 


If you’re on the fence, you’ll feel sparked. If you’re scaling, you’ll get tactics you can deploy this week.


Cheeky Cocktails:

https://cheekycocktails.co/?dt_id=2633162&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23030475518&gbraid=0AAAAA_DuLjwQe_Xll5ysqNCwYccrLaQfr&gclid=CjwKCAjw3tzHBhBREiwAlMJoUn0rP_o53AAmy2edIeGjik4MbInqmlCl2S0ERjN7KEuyL6fSE4dxfhoCtBoQAvD_BwE

GETCHEEKY15 get 15% off your next purchase.

Cheeky Cocktails Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/cheekycocktails?igsh=c3hjYzJrZHRldHMx


Support the show


Connect with Betsy:

Website: writeyourownstory.co

Email: betsy@writeyourownstory.co

Instagram: write_your_own_story_co Or betsyleo

Youtube:writeyourownstorypodcast

More:

SHOP MY AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/shop/write_your_own_story_co

FEMALE FOUNDERS MASTERCLASS: https://writeyourownstory.co/ffa-courses


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