Resilience, Hope, & Healing with Sara Stender Delaney of Sarilla
In this conversation, Sara Stender Delaney, founder of Sarilla Beverage, shares her journey from her roots in Vermont, to her transformative experiences in Rwanda, and what inspired her to create a non-alcoholic organic tea spritzer company. She discusses the challenges of launching a beverage brand, the importance of regenerative agriculture, and her commitment to social impact and mental health. Sara emphasizes the need for personal growth and responsibility in creating a better world, highlighting the interconnectedness of health, community, and sustainability.
Takeaways:
Sara's entrepreneurial journey was influenced by her experiences in Rwanda.
The connection to Rwanda inspired Sara to focus on regenerative organic supply chains.
Sarilla Beverage was born out of a desire to create non-alcoholic options for health-conscious consumers.
Sara emphasizes the importance of personal growth and healing in her journey.
The challenges of product development include navigating market demands and consumer preferences.
Regenerative agriculture is crucial for sustainable farming and environmental health.
Sara's nonprofit work in Rwanda focuses on trauma healing and entrepreneurship training.
The beverage industry requires constant adaptation and learning from failures.
Sara believes in the power of community and support for mental health.
A better world involves individuals taking responsibility for their health and well-being.
Chapters
03:00 Introduction to Sarilla Beverage and Its Origins
14:50 The Impact of Rwanda on Sara's Journey
24:50 The Birth of Sarilla Beverage
31:45 Product Development and Challenges
38:52 Navigating the Beverage Industry
39:50 Building a Supportive Network
50:55 Understanding Regenerative Agriculture
01:05:09 Envisioning a Better World
Sound Bites
“I consistently had the opportunity to quit or fail or close. There's always that possibility.”
“I think it's important to stay grounded, but also connected to a big vision and sometimes just to trust that the universe will show us opportunities along the way that we can't even plan for.”
“The last thing we need is another generic consumer product… the only thing we might need more of is like brands making a difference and making an impact.”
“With my own sobriety journey, I was just feeling consistently like something was missing for me and my friends and people I knew who were not drinking alcohol.”
“It's 100 % regenerative. They just don't have the certification yet.”
“It's like, instead of just taking and taking from Mother Earth, it's like we have an exchange.”
“We're finding is that plants grown in regenerative soil are better for humans as well.”
“There's so many systems ripe for change.”
“I would like to see more people showing up in their healthy self.”
“I've seen firsthand the ripple effect of unhealed trauma on families, on communities, on villages, and on generational impact.”
