Viral TikTok Sensation Redefining Hard Lemonade
ICA Fund is excited to announce our latest investment in MIZO, a read-to-drink hard lemonade brand thoughtfully inspired by Asian flavors. Founded by Holly Paul and Chris Tran, MIZO is a low-sugar, fresh fruit based alcohol with bold branding and flavor profiles like Lychee and White Peach. Mizo came to the scene with a viral TikTok video made by the founders, rendering them millions of views and followers overnight, and in turn, bringing big box stores to their front door to get their hands on MIZO pouches. What makes MIZO unique is the functionality, convenience, and nostalgia that customers experience from its form as an elevated juice pouch.
“Nostalgic moments will never fail to make you smile. MIZO is a hard lemonade, but more than that, we are a social beverage company creating new nostalgic moments for our consumers.” - Holly Paul, co-founder of MIZO
MIZO just graduated from the Accelerator at ICA in 2024 and immediately received investment from the ICA Seed Capital Fund to level up their brand and expand their team. This investment was made using the ICA Impact Note, our innovative investment structure that partners with entrepreneurs to prioritize social impact – like good jobs, workforce diversity, and employee wealth creation – as they grow their business. Keep reading to learn more about MIZO and how they are bringing a fresh new spin to the alcoholic beverage industry.
What inspired you to start your business?
I developed a gut condition, and when we figured out I could no longer have bubbly drinks, it was frustrating for us as very sociable people who like to go out and enjoy a drink or two. Every single option is carbonated. What do we bring that Holly can actually enjoy? There are a few non-carbonated options, but they're full of sugar, full of calories, and full of artificial sweeteners. The list goes on. There wasn't an option for someone like me.
So we wanted to create something that was full of flavor and better for you. One MIZO pouch has only 4g of sugar, 90% less than other leading beverage brands on the market. There are no artificial flavors, colors, or sweeteners. As founders, we have always been inspired by the idea of nostalgia. We love that it can make anyone smile regardless of who you are, how old you are, or where you’re from. Nostalgic moments will never fail to make you smile. MIZO is a hard lemonade, but more than that, we are a social beverage company creating new nostalgic moments for our consumers.
What is unique about MIZO?
MIZO offers a truly unique experience in the alcohol section, stepping beyond traditional glass, cans, and bottles. It's not just about fun; it's utilitarian too. MIZO's multipurpose nature lets consumers freeze it for a slushy treat or tear it open to add their own liquor—an experience unlike any other. Plus, we use significantly less material than glass bottles, reducing the number of trucks needed for shipping by 95%. This effort cuts down on gas emissions, making us proud contributors to a healthier planet. MIZO isn't just a drink; it's an innovative experience.
What is the best advice you received as a business owner? What advice would you give to an aspiring entrepreneur?
- When it comes to regional expectations and operating, the 80/20 rule applies to so many things. We are growing rapidly, and as you get into more retail doors, it’s impossible to be in every single door every single day — so how do you drive 80% of your revenue through 20% of your doors? Maybe you fill your team in your strongest performing market. Figuring out how to allocate your resources most efficiently to hit that next goal is important.
- Comparison is the thief of joy. Some people are growing at a much faster rate, some are going to grow slower. You can often compare yourself, and that starts to drain you. The business really starts to grow with you. Grow at our own pace and let the winds come.
What are your plans for this new investment and beyond?
This investment is going to bring to life a new line of flavors and fresh pouch designs. We are also working on building our team. Right now, it is just the two of us, so we are thinking about how to build a talent pool with more hands on deck as we start to scale.
You participated in the ICA Accelerator Program. What was most valuable about your experience?
The storytelling aspect of the program has been crucial, helping us think about how to hone our story and pitch our brand effectively to customers and investors. In addition, getting to know ICA and accessing their wealth of resources, has also been incredibly valuable. It’s rare to find a long term partnership with an institutional capital provider who aligns with your vision and supports founders across our community. The people at ICA, with their experience and knowledge, have been especially supportive — and the support doesn't end with the Accelerator program. We have a sense of security knowing ICA is in our corner to help us tackle any obstacles we may face in the future.
Finally, meeting other local entrepreneurs has been invaluable. Despite being in different industries, our shared experiences make the journey less lonely. These are bonds we’ll carry beyond the program.
What have been some of the challenges that you and Chris have faced in growing MIZO?
As entrepreneurs, the biggest challenge has been navigating the limited resources—both in terms of capital and workforce. From the start, we’ve had to be incredibly scrappy, doing everything ourselves, including hand-cutting straws and pouches at one point. Switching between various roles daily, managing tasks without delaying others, and learning how to reinvest in the business were learning curves and things we had to adapt to quickly. As an entrepreneur, you have to switch off between different hats — jack of all trades, master of none. But the catch is that you actually have to become a master of all in order to run a successful business.
How do you prevent burnout and stay motivated?
How you prevent burnout is the key for entrepreneurship. Your first milestone feels impossible and that is what is driving you forward. For us, we were giving 110%, and it wasn't until we looked back at our achievements that we realized it was okay to slow down. Now, 3 years into the business, we prioritize our mental health and celebrate the small wins by spending time with family and with each other. Balancing work with personal life to maintain mental clarity is key for making the right decisions for our business.
Setting and constantly meeting goals, though rewarding, often feels like an endless cycle. But our passion for our product keeps us going. When you're creating a product, you're either trying to make someone's life better or you’re trying to create joy, and we are trying to do both. It’s exciting to see this come to life when we see people choosing MIZO to celebrate special moments.
Most importantly, no one is going to believe in you or your brand if you don't. Having confidence in yourself and your product will never fail to keep the business going.
Shop MIZO for your next celebration and follow them on Instagram and TikTok
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ICA Fund accelerates great businesses through mentoring and investments to close the racial and gender wealth gaps. We support small businesses in the San Francisco Bay Area led by founders of color and women by providing capital, coaching, and connections. ICA Fund helps entrepreneurs grow the value of their businesses and create wealth for themselves and their employees, driving toward our vision of an economy that works for all.
