When Society Beverages Owner & Founder Jenie Edwards stopped drinking alcohol, she didn’t miss the alcohol, but she still craved something that “scratched the itch of the reward” in her brain.
“In my research, I discovered some great non-alcoholic products that fit the bill and realized if I wasn’t aware these existed and struggled to get access to them, who else was experiencing the same situation?” Edwards says. “So, as I thought about the mission of my company, supporting social experiences while maintaining sobriety, Society Beverages was born.”
Currently, Society Beverages offers non-alcoholic beer and wine for consumer sales and inventory to retailers, but Edwards hopes to create a product of their own product as they grow.
Check out our full Q&A with Edwards below…
Tell us about your business and the role you play in it.
My name is Jenie (like Jenny) Edwards and I started Society Beverages within the last year. We sell non-alcohol beer and wine direct to consumers and businesses through our website, www.societybev.com. The business idea was born during the struggles of COVID, which included a divorce, and made me rethink my relationship with alcohol. During my “dry season” I realized I didn’t miss the alcohol, but I did still crave something that scratched the itch of the reward part of my brain. In my research, I discovered some great NA products that fit the bill and realized if I wasn’t aware these existed and struggled to get access to them, who else was experiencing the same situation? So as I thought about the mission of my company, supporting social experiences while maintaining sobriety, Society Beverages was born.
What makes your business unique in its field?
Society Beverages is currently focused on serving the general Asheville area. While you can find some of our products, or similar products, in other stores you would be limited to find all NA beer and wine in one spot like what Society Beverages offers.
During your first year of business, what was the greatest lesson you learned?
I have never started my own business before so every day is a lesson with there being some days containing many lessons. So far though, I would say my biggest takeaway is to keep fighting. I have been told no or not even responded to so many times I can’t even count, but my gut tells me this is the right work I just have to keep going and trust myself.
Where do you see your business in the next year? The next five?
I see Society Beverages as Asheville’s resource for all NA beer and wine needs for consumer sales and also supplying inventory to retailers. I hope that within the next year we can also add our own products to our offerings.
Why did you decide to join the Chamber?
The Asheville Chamber of Commerce has an outstanding reputation for its networking opportunity. As I work to grow brand awareness I wanted to tap into these well connected partners to help grow Society to be the success I know it can be.
What is your favorite part about doing business in the Asheville area?
Asheville truly is the ideal place for a business like mine. The community here is remarkable in its commitment to supporting local and minority (woman) owned businesses which both apply to me. Beyond that though is the focus on mental and physical health in Asheville that aligns with an alcohol-free or alcohol-reduced lifestyle to which I cater.
What’s a little-known fact or trivia about your business?
Did you know that the amount of alcohol in many NA products is actually less than what is found in popular sodas or an overripe banana? It’s only because it is marketed as beer or wine that it must indicate “less than 0.5% alcohol”.