From Startup to Starbucks: How Chris Hunter Navigated The Crash of Four Loko and Landed On Top

Ever wondered how a kid selling coloring books door-to-door could end up co-founding one of the hottest plant-based protein drink brands? In this Raw and Real Entrepreneurship episode, Susan Sly sits down with Chris Hunter, the unstoppable force behind KOIA. From hustling coloring book pictures in Youngstown, Ohio, to navigating the chaos of Four Loko, to breaking into major retailers like Starbucks with KOIA, Chris's journey is nothing short of extraordinary.
Chris opens up about his early entrepreneurial sparks, the financial hurdles he faced, and the resilience it took to turn his side hustles into full-blown successes. We dive deep into his innovative approach to parenting, raising kids who are already budding entrepreneurs, and the critical role of mentorship and sustainable business practices in his journey.
But it's not all smooth sailing. Chris shares his raw and real experiences of dealing with regulatory crackdowns, managing towering debts, and the therapeutic process of writing his book. This episode is packed with insights on authenticity, perseverance, and learning from every misstep.
Whether you're an established entrepreneur or just dipping your toes into the business world, Chris Hunter's story is a powerful reminder that with grit, hustle, and a bit of chaos management, you can turn your wildest dreams into reality. Tune in for a dose of real-talk entrepreneurship that's as inspiring as it is enlightening.
BIO:
Chris is a distinguished figure in the beverage industry, renowned for his innovative contributions and entrepreneurial spirit. As the founder of several successful beverage brands, including the iconic Four Loko (which led to an SNL spoof appearance), the health-focused Koia, and the unique Not Your Father's Root Beer, Chris has cemented his status as a visionary in the field.
Now as a co-founder of Koia, Chris has led the company to an astounding $100M in sales every year, with their plant-based protein shakes appearing in Whole Foods, Sprouts, 7 Eleven, and most recently, Starbucks.
His new memoir, Blackout Punch, will tell the engaging background story of how it all happened and the lessons learned along the way!
/ christopher-hunter-890...
KOIA
Website: drinkkoia.com
FB: / drinkkoia
TikTok: / drinkkoia
IG: / drinkkoia
LI: / koia
X: x.com/Drinkkoia
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Website drinkkoia.com
LinkedIn / christopher-hunter-890...
LinkedIn / koia
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BOOK: www.amazon.com...