A name that shouts about it's home town says everything about this company - vibrant and proud! Using an elephant to symbolise their ambitions for growth and become a force in the craft soda revolution, The Paisley Drinks Company offer bold flavours using unrefined sugars and are completely free of artificial colouring, flavouring and additives such as aspartame.


Four flavours of delicious craft soda made only with Scottish water, they can be enjoyed on their own or blended to make invigorating cocktails. We heard from founder Brian O'Shea about how the Paisley Drinks Co sprang onto the Scottish soft drinks scene:

 

 


1.How/why and when did you start your business?

Before starting my business, I was lucky to have a career in retail in many different buying & merchandising roles and worked with some of the biggest & best brands. I took a lot of inspiration from people who took a risk and started a business from scratch and grew it into a successful business.

My wife and I enjoy eating out and, in the summer of 2018, while my wife was pregnant, it became apparent that I had an extensive range of drinks choose from through extensive wine, spirit & beer menus but the non-alcoholic drinks sections were a bit unloved in most venues.

Most menus featured the same big brand chemical fizz on the menu and nothing inspiring for the non-alcoholic drinkers to accompany their tasty meals. The fact these low-quality drinks were being sold at 10 times the price you could buy the exact same product out of the supermarket didn’t sit well with me.

So shortly after this and doing my research the Paisley Drinks Co was born.Our aim is to challenge the norm in the market and create a Real Soda Revolution. Offering consumers, a credible alternative to big brand chemical fizz by creating a range of sodas made using real and natural ingredients.

 

2. What advice would you give to someone starting a new business in the sector?
It can be a bumpy road starting a new business and you can have lots of doubts along the way - believe in yourself and your ability to deliver.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help, identify people within in your network that can offer sound and honest advice, perhaps seek the help of a mentor.

Stick to the plan, set clear targets and try not to get side-tracked by distractions.

 

3. What motivates you?

I love getting out and about interreacting with customers directly allowing me to get their honest reaction to our sodas.

The exciting thing for me is seeing the expressions on people face while enjoying the sodas and getting the instant feedback which is invaluable to a start up business like the Paisley Drinks Co.

It is inspiring to see the ideas that people have come up with using our sodas such as Ice Cream floats, Ice Tea and alcoholic & non-alcoholic cocktails.

 

4. How do you think the food & drinks industry could improve?
I think it’s important to buy local as much as possible and support local businesses, I would like to see more local products used by bigger companies.

 

5. Is there an individual or organisation, current or in the past, who inspires you?

I really like what Brewdog are doing in the Beer & Spirits category - they have been brave and bold in taking on the big brands head on.

To look at where they have come from and what they have achieved in a short space of time is inspirational. The fact they have bars across the world and are now opening Brewdog hotels is amazing!!!

It gives small guys like Paisley Drinks Co belief in achieving our goals.

 

6. Apart from Greencity, which other three or more people, living or deceased, would you invite to make a dinner party entertaining?

Brian Cox - I really enjoy watching his TV programs about Space & Physics it blows my mind!

Ronaldinho - in my view one of the best footballers of all time and the lad knows how to party..

Joe Rogan - I spend a lot of time in the Paisley Drinks Co driving across the country and Joe Rogan’s podcasts fill the gap between meeting. He’s a clever and inspirational guy.

 


If you’d like any more information about Paisley Drinks Co, you can check out their website at paisleydrinkscompany.com or contact the Greencity Sales Team who are always happy to help.