Drink Up
From cans of Whoopass energy drink to Berry White juice, Seattle-based Jones Soda Co. reflects the offbeat personality of its founder.
Vital Stats:Peter van Stolk,
38, founder
Company: Juice and soda
manufacturer started in 1996
2001 Sales: $33 million
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Strange Brew: "The
concept for the flavors comes from consumers, but we test them out.
Every Friday, everybody in the company drinks soda and
juice."
Indie Soda Wars:
"Without SoBe tea being bought out [by Pepsico], we
wouldn't have been able to move the brand as fast as we have.
Independent distributors [were looking for a new line of
alternative beverages], because a big piece of their business was
gone. We go to launches where distributors take sledgehammers to
SoBe's coolers. It's personal. It's passionate. You
can't buy that enthusiasm."
Office Space: "When
people come into my office, they see a big painting by [pop artist]
ManWoman of a guy in a little gray outfit juggling skulls. It's
whacked out."
What a Trip: "I was a
22-year-old ski instructor, and I sold my car and bought some
orange juice from Florida and sold that [in Canada]. You get on
this journey, and it's just one crazy ride after the next.
It's pretty exciting."
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