PODCAST · business
Mocktails with Marina
by Marina
Mocktails with Marina is a podcast for owners and operators in the kava and non-alcoholic industry: kava bars, sober lounges, bottle shops, beverage brands, and everyone building something in this space, whether you sell by the shell, the bottle, or the hour.I'm Marina Castillo. I'm sober, I'm a mom, and I've worked almost every job this industry has. I've been a kavatender, a bar manager, a menu developer, an event producer, and a fractional COO for a multi-location kava bar company. I founded the Arizona Kava Coalition, I hold a Thought Leader designation from the Global Kava Coalition, and since 2014 I've helped more than 1,000 businesses open, grow, and in some cases franchise.I'm also the customer this industry was built for. I don't drink, I spend my evenings in kava bars, and I buy the products my clients are trying to sell. When I give advice, I'm giving it from both sides of the counter.My husband Tyler and I run our business as a family. We cap our working hours and built
Episodes
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being needed is the most expensive feeling
When was the last time you went a full Saturday without checking your phone? In this episode of Mocktails with Marina, Marina takes kava bar, non-alc lounge, and booze-free bottle shop owners through six mindset shifts about what it really costs when your business can't run without you. If you've...
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i took a client call before my dad's wake: building a business for your worst day
After four months away, Marina is back. In the comeback episode of Mocktails with Marina, she shares why the show went quiet after episode 108 and what kept her family business running while she stepped away to grieve the loss of her father. If you own or operate a kava bar, sober lounge, bottle...
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commitment: what it takes to really make it (professionals vs hobbyists)
What separates the entrepreneurs who actually make it from the ones who almost do? In this episode of Mocktails with Marina, we're talking about commitment not the motivational poster version, but the real, unglamorous, show-up-on-a-Tuesday version that actually builds businesses. Marina breaks...
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love, as a state: there are 2 types of business owners (which one are you?)
There are two types of non-alcoholic beverage business owners: those who build from love, and those who build from fear. In this episode of Mocktails with Marina, Marina breaks down exactly what each type looks like in practice and how to tell which one you actually are. Fear-based operators...
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flow state: a holistic approach to lifestyle richness through your business
Flow State: A Holistic Approach to Lifestyle Richness Through Your Business What does it actually feel like when your business is working; not just producing results, but genuinely working for you? In this episode of Mocktails with Marina, Marina breaks down flow state as a business design…
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Family management & designing your household operations to share the load
what does it actually look like to build a business and a life at the same time without sacrificing one for the other? in this episode of Mocktails with Marina, Marina pulls back the curtain on how she and her husband have designed their household to run with the same clarity and intention as a...
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Maternity leave & the first 40 days as a business owner
Nobody hands you maternity leave when you run your own business. You build it or you don't take one. In this episode, Marina gets into exactly how she prepared for maternity leave as a consultant with active retainer clients, what the first 40 days of postpartum actually looked like as a business...
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Our birth story & why, as a sober woman, I chose to go unmedicated
Unmedicated birth. Sober mom. Two miscarriages. 200 days of vomiting. And a business that held through all of it. In this episode, Marina shares the full story from meeting her husband in 2021 and building a life around their future family, to two pregnancy losses, a pregnancy that left her…
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motherhood & entrepreneurship: you can (and should) have it all
Nobody tells you that becoming a mom changes your capacity not just your schedule, but your actual bandwidth. And nobody tells you that building a business in the middle of that is still possible. In fact, it might be the thing that finally clarifies what you've been building toward all along. In...
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Multi-passionate entrepreneurship and the evolution of you
After a few months away (and one very life-changing baby) Marina is back. Episode 101 of Mocktails with Marina is a deeply personal return to the mic, and the topic couldn't feel more fitting: what it actually means to be a multi-passionate entrepreneur, and how to embrace the evolution of who...
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why most people quit, and what I'd do differently if I were starting today
Most people don't quit because they fail, but they fail because progress doesn't look the way they expected. In this milestone Episode 100 of Mocktails with Marina, Marina reflects on what it actually takes to stay in the game (in podcasting, business, and the non-alcoholic industry) when...
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Dept in a Box Series: Menu & Product Management
In today's episode of Mocktails With Marina, we're closing out the Department in a Box™ Series with one of the most important and most overlooked pillars of a profitable non-alcoholic business: Menu & Product Management. Whether you run a kava bar, non-alcoholic bar, bottle shop, kombucha…
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Dept in a Box Series: Event Planning & Management
In this episode of Mocktails with Marina, we dive into one of the most powerful and misunderstood growth engines in the non-alcoholic industry: Event Planning & Event Management. If you run a non-alc bar, kava bar, bottle shop, sober lounge, or third space, you already know that events drive...
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Dept in a Box Series: Employee Manuals & SOPs
In today's episode, we're diving into the department most founders avoid until it becomes a problem: Employee Manuals + SOPs, the backbone of consistency, culture, and operational sanity inside any non-alcoholic bar, bottle shop, or third place. If you've ever felt like you're repeating yourself...
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Dept in a Box Series: Interviewing, Hiring, and Onboarding
In today's episode, we're breaking down one of the most important (and most misunderstood) departments in every non-alc bar, bottle shop, or third space: Interviewing, Hiring & Onboarding. Most owners treat hiring like an emergency. A scramble. A reaction. But the truth is if you don't build this...
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Dept in a Box Series: Marketing
In today's episode, we're diving into the second installment of the Department in a Box Series™ and this time, we're talking about the department that keeps your non-alc bar, bottle shop, or third space alive: your Marketing Department. This episode isn't a tutorial on content creation or how to...
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Dept in a Box Series: Project Management & To Do's
In today's episode, we kick off a six-part series designed to walk you through the core departments every non-alc bar, bottle shop, or third space needs in order to function smoothly. This first installment focuses on the importance of Project Management & To-Do's. NOT the mechanics of setting up...
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Questions from Founders: "How Do I Keep the Sunday Scaries Out of My Business?"
If you left the 9-to-5 to feel free but find yourself more stressed than ever on Sunday nights, this episode is for you. In this week's Mocktails with Marina, we're unpacking the real reason entrepreneurs experience the "Sunday Scaries" (and why it has nothing to do with laziness or discipline)....
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realities of the non-linear path to stability and profitability
Everyone wants the secret to success but the truth is, there isn't one. In this episode of Mocktails with Marina, we're getting brutally honest about what it actually takes to reach long-term stability and profitability as a non-alcoholic business owner. From balancing your nervous system to…
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Questions from Founders: "How do I build a $1M/year non-alcoholic bar?"
In this episode of Mocktails with Marina, host Marina Castillo breaks down what it really takes to build and maintain a million-dollar-a-year non-alcoholic bar. Spoiler: it's not about your menu but it IS about your people, systems, and culture. Marina reveals the five most common reasons bars...
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case study: arizona's thriving non-alcoholic scene
In this episode, Marina breaks down one of the fastest-growing non-alcoholic markets in the country: Arizona. With over twenty kava bars, bottle shops, and functional beverage spaces now thriving across the state, Arizona has quietly become a blueprint for how to build nightlife rooted in...
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Questions from Founders: "How much do I need to show up online?"
As a non-alcoholic business owner, how much do you really need to be online to succeed? In this episode of Mocktails with Marina, I break down exactly how I built two podcasts that have generated over $100,000 in revenue ALONE without ever having more than 6,000 followers on social media. I'll…
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holiday season planning (oct-jan) for non-alc entrepreneurs
Welcome back to Mocktails with Marina! In this episode, Marina breaks down how non-alcoholic business owners, kava bar operators, and sober entrepreneurs can strategically plan for the holiday season from October through January. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by seasonal chaos, scrambling to...
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You're Invited! The 7 Day Seasonal Rest for Non-Alc Founders + Operators
🍂 Clear Your Mind. Reclaim Your Energy. Reset Your Business. This week's episode is an invitation into the 7-Day Fall Reset Challenge: a powerful seasonal reset designed for founders and operators in the non-alcoholic beverage space. Whether you're dreaming of opening a kava bar, building a…
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avoiding wolves in the non-alcoholic industry
The non-alcoholic beverage industry is booming; kava bars, sober curious lounges, functional beverage brands, and alcohol-free bottle shops are popping up everywhere. But with rapid growth comes hidden threats: wolves in sheep's clothing. In this episode of Mocktails with Marina, host Marina...
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BTS: Navigating pregnancy as full time business owners without day jobs
In this behind-the-scenes episode of Mocktails with Marina, host Marina Castillo gets real about what it looks like to navigate pregnancy as a full-time entrepreneur with no day job, no safety net, and no "Plan B." Marina shares her journey of leaving her last job without savings, getting slammed...
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You're Invited! Bula Boss LIVE 2025
In this episode of Mocktails with Marina, Marina Castillo shares an exciting invitation to Bula Boss Live 2025, a two-day, in-person business bootcamp and Arizona tour designed for non-alcoholic beverage founders, kava bar owners, bottle shop entrepreneurs, and sober community builders. Taking...
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Interview with Vanessa Royle, Founder of Tilden
In today's episode of Mocktails with Marina, we sit down with Vanessa Royle, founder of Tilden, a brand that's changing the non-alcoholic cocktail game with one key philosophy: flavor comes first. Vanessa shares her deeply personal journey of going alcohol-free during the early days of the…
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Interview with David Lund: Founder of Drømme
In this episode of Mocktails with Marina, we sit down with David Lund, the founder of Drømme, a premium non-alcoholic beverage brand that's reshaping how we relax, connect, and celebrate without alcohol. If you've been curious about functional alcohol alternatives, botanical spirits, or how to...
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Interview with Rachelle Robinett: writer, herbalist, and life-long naturalist
In this episode of Mocktails with Marina, I sit down with herbalist, educator, and author Rachelle Robinett to explore the world of modern herbalism and how plants can transform your health, mindset, and daily routines without the overwhelm. Whether you're a wellness beginner, sober-curious, or...
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drink money: a bev sales masterclass
In this power-packed episode of Mocktails with Marina, we're dropping the full audio recording of last week's Drink Money Masterclass: a tactical, no-fluff training designed for beverage brand founders, kavatenders, sales reps, and affiliate marketers in the non-alcoholic and functional beverage...
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Interview with Abbie Romanul: Founder of Raising the Bar
In this episode of Mocktails with Marina, we sit down with Abbie Romanul, founder of Raising the Bar, the zero-proof cocktail kit subscription that's become a staple for mindful drinkers, sober-curious folks, and wellness-forward hosts across the U.S. Abbie shares her deeply personal journey—from...
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Interview with Sarah Kate: founder of Some Good Clean Fun, North America's most-read site dedicated to non-alcoholic drinks
In this powerful episode of Mocktails with Marina, host Marina Castillo sits down with Sarah Kiriliuk, the founder of Some Good Clean Fun and sober lifestyle advocate behind the popular Instagram account @somegoodcleanfun. With her PR and media background and deeply personal journey through...
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Interview with Lila Volkas: NA Mixologist, Nutritionist & Team Building Facilitator
In this episode of Mocktails with Marina, host Marina Castillo sits down with Lila Volkas (non-alcoholic beverage educator, holistic nutritionist) to explore the powerful intersection of mindful drinking, functional mixology, and plant-based wellness education. Together, they dive deep into…
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visibility is a nervous system game
In this powerful episode of Mocktails with Marina, we explore why visibility in business isn't just about being seen, it's about being regulated. Whether you're building a non-alcoholic brand, launching your first product, or leading a team in the kava and sober-curious space, the ability to show...
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RESOURCE DROP: The Effortless Operations Starter Pack
Is your backend blocking your breakthrough? In this episode of Mocktails with Marina, we dive into the chaotic, often-overlooked world of operations and uncover why so many non-alcoholic business owners, kava bar founders, and sober entrepreneurs feel stuck, even when everything looks good on the...
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RESOURCE DROP: The Ultimate Non-Alc Menu Creation Guide
Struggling to price your drinks? Wondering why your non-alc menu isn't selling? In this episode of Mocktails with Marina, we're walking you through the exact system used by top-performing sober bars and beverage entrepreneurs to create intentional, profitable, and scalable drink menus. Marina...
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RESOURCE DROP: The Non-Alc Business Jumpstart Kit
Ready to finally take your non-alcoholic business idea seriously? In this episode, Marina shares the story behind the creation of the Non-Alc Business Jumpstart Kit—a powerful, done-for-you toolkit designed for aspiring founders of non-alcoholic bars, bottle shops, and beverage brands. If you've...
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the hill we'll die on: how business owners can change the world (kava & NA edition)
If you care about the future of kava, you need to hear this. In this powerful episode, I pull back the curtain on our advocacy work with both the Global and Arizona Kava Coalitions; covering everything from health department misunderstandings to national misinformation about kava's safety. We…
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the drunk monopoly: why the world is rigged against non-alc (and how to win anyways)
The non-alcoholic space is booming—but make no mistake, the game is still rigged. In this episode, Marina exposes the power structures keeping non-alc brands stuck on the sidelines and what it really takes to win. We unpack how the alcohol industry controls distribution, funding, and even social...
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the biggest lie about starting a non-alc business, and why it's keeping you stuck
They told you that launching a non-alc business takes millions in funding, insider connections, and a nonstop hustle mindset. They lied. In this episode, I'm debunking the 3 most toxic myths keeping passionate founders stuck—and showing you exactly what it really takes to build a successful…
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sell the vibe, not the drink: the new rules of running a non-alc business
Nobody cares what's in the bottle. They care how it makes them feel. In this solo episode, Marina breaks down one of the most common mistakes in the non-alc industry: over-educating instead of emotionally connecting. If you've been pushing ingredients, benefits, and back labels instead of…
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Interview with Michelle LeBlanc, Mantra Kava & Botanical Bar's Founder
In this heartfelt episode, I sit down with Michelle LeBlanc, co-founder of Mantra Kava and Botanical Bar in DeLand, Florida, to talk about what it really takes to build a soulful, alcohol-free gathering space from the ground up. Michelle shares how her diverse background became an asset—not a...
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Interview with Kendall Bierman, Founder of Kendall B Therapy
In this powerful and relatable episode, we're joined by Kendall Bierman, licensed therapist and founder of Kendall B Therapy, who opens up about her journey from self-medicating in college to building a career helping others break free from the same patterns. Kendall shares how drinking once felt...
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Interview with Maggie Klaassens, Founder of The Sober Hive
In this episode, Marina sits down with Maggie Klaassens: alcohol-free coach, mom of three, and the founder of The Sober Summit and The Sober Hive. What started as a personal 100-day challenge to ditch alcohol turned into a purpose-filled mission to help gray area drinkers take back their lives…
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bev brand builder: start your own non-alc product company today
In this episode of Mocktails with Marina, we're diving deep into the booming world of non-alcoholic product creation. If you've ever dreamed of launching your own functional beverage, sober-friendly tincture, or wellness powder, this is the episode you can't afford to miss. Marina breaks down...
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Interview with Blind Tiger's Founder, Rebecca Styn
In this episode of Mocktails with Marina, host Marina sits down with Rebecca Styn, founder of Blind Tiger, a non-alcoholic cocktail company rooted in inclusivity, hospitality, and premium zero-proof experiences. Discover how Rebecca turned the challenges of the 2020 pandemic into a groundbreaking...
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Interview with Becky Moreno, Founder of Unity SoBar and Unity Recovery Solutions
In this powerful episode of Mocktails with Marina, host Marina sits down with Becky Moreno, founder of Unity SoBar and Unity Recovery Solutions, to explore the deeper meaning behind the growing non-alcoholic movement. Becky shares her raw and inspiring recovery journey—from navigating life as an...
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holding the line: turning boundaries into business strategy
In this episode of Mocktails with Marina, we explore a powerful and often overlooked business skill: setting boundaries as a business owner while maintaining professionalism, leadership, and client trust. If you're an entrepreneur in the non-alcoholic beverage industry, a CPG founder, or a...
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notes on being a mentor and teacher
Are you stepping into a mentorship role, teaching others, or seeking guidance for your own business journey? In this episode of Mocktails with Marina, we explore what it really means to be a mentor, teacher, or guide—especially in the non-alcoholic beverage industry, entrepreneurial space, and...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Mocktails with Marina is a podcast for owners and operators in the kava and non-alcoholic industry: kava bars, sober lounges, bottle shops, beverage brands, and everyone building something in this space, whether you sell by the shell, the bottle, or the hour.I'm Marina Castillo. I'm sober, I'm a mom, and I've worked almost every job this industry has. I've been a kavatender, a bar manager, a menu developer, an event producer, and a fractional COO for a multi-location kava bar company. I founded the Arizona Kava Coalition, I hold a Thought Leader designation from the Global Kava Coalition, and since 2014 I've helped more than 1,000 businesses open, grow, and in some cases franchise.I'm also the customer this industry was built for. I don't drink, I spend my evenings in kava bars, and I buy the products my clients are trying to sell. When I give advice, I'm giving it from both sides of the counter.My husband Tyler and I run our business as a family. We cap our working hours and built
HOSTED BY
Marina
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Mocktails with Marina have?
Mocktails with Marina currently has 110 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Mocktails with Marina about?
Mocktails with Marina is a podcast for owners and operators in the kava and non-alcoholic industry: kava bars, sober lounges, bottle shops, beverage brands, and everyone building something in this space, whether you sell by the shell, the bottle, or the hour.I'm Marina Castillo. I'm sober, I'm a...
How often does Mocktails with Marina release new episodes?
Mocktails with Marina publishes regularly with 110 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Mocktails with Marina?
You can listen to Mocktails with Marina on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Mocktails with Marina?
Mocktails with Marina is created and hosted by Marina.
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