EPISODE · Jun 24, 2025 · 51 MIN
Episode 16: Rviita’s Rise: How Karly Jacobsen Built a Better Energy Drink and a Purpose-Driven Team
from The People-Driven CEO Podcast · host shanejjamesgroup
In this energizing episode, Shane Jeremy James sits down with Karly Jacobsen, co-founder of Rviita, the first non-carbonated, better-for-you energy drink delivered in innovative pouch packaging. Inspired by a close friend’s energy drink-related heart scare, Karly and her brother, Mitch, set out to create a healthier, more mindful alternative and ended up building one of Canada’s most exciting beverage startups. Karly shares her journey from night-shift nurse to entrepreneur, how they overcame early manufacturing nightmares, and the lessons learned in building a team-first culture. She opens up about raising capital, scaling through Sobeys and Costco, and why relationships, not just great products, are the foundation of long-term success. Whether you're in CPG, a founder just starting, or someone passionate about brand building with heart, this episode is packed with real talk, practical advice, and entrepreneurial inspiration. Mobile viewers: tap the link to watch the interview: https://youtu.be/w1YhYwXF6RI 🌐 Rviita: https://rviitalize.com/ #ThePeopleDrivenPodcast | Hosted by Shane Jeremy James 🎧 Listen on:
What this episode covers
When Karly Jacobsen’s brother witnessed his best friend suffer a heart attack after drinking too many energy drinks, it sparked a mission to create a healthier alternative. What started as a home experiment became Rviita, a non-carbonated energy drink company on a mission to support better health, sustainable packaging, and strong community values. In this episode, Karly shares how they overcame major manufacturing hurdles, including building their own production line in Calgary, and why they’ve remained committed to their unique resealable pouch format. She also dives deep into hiring with values over résumés, building a people-first culture, and why storytelling and customer relationships are more powerful than any marketing tactic. 🎧 In this episode, you’ll learn: - How a health scare sparked the creation of Rviita - Why pouch packaging became a competitive advantage - What it takes to raise money and scale without compromise - How hiring for values changed their team and culture - Why “treating every customer like your only customer” is a billion-dollar mindset
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Episode 16: Rviita’s Rise: How Karly Jacobsen Built a Better Energy Drink and a Purpose-Driven Team
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