#123 How Brand Building and Pre-Launch Research Secured Kommunity Brew's Success

Mason Bagios didn’t set out to transform Australia’s drinking culture - but that’s exactly what happened when he chose to quit alcohol and embrace cleaner living. This personal journey inspired Kommunity Brew, a brand he co-founded to offer mindful, substance-free options that resonate with a new generation of health-conscious Aussies. From the start, Mason knew that authenticity was key, creating kombuchas, probiotic waters, and botanical shots that were as genuine as his mission.

In Episode 123, Mason shares how he turned this vision into reality, touching on:

🥤 The importance of the “pub test” to ensure products align with the real reasons people are seeking non-alcoholic options.
🥤 How he used storytelling and core values to win over a diverse, health-focused community.
🥤 His $50M vision and why he’s focussing on in-store impact over social media.
🥤 The role of in-store demos and sampling in breaking down barriers and winning retailer support.

Mason also opens up about investor relationships, setting expectations, and celebrating the wins. Don’t miss Episode 123, and if you haven’t already, tune in to our other Brand Season episodes (119–122). Presented by Thrive Collective, the growth engine behind brands like Bae Juice, GYM BOD, and The Kimchi Company.

LINKS & RESOURCES:

• Kommunity Brew
• Mason’s LinkedIn
• Cold Matter
• Thrive Collective Website
• Food Entrepreneurship Academy Website
• Your Free Pitch Plan
• Become A Foodpreneurs Festival Insider
• Chelsea Ford Co. Industry Newsletter

Season 14

Season 14, out now, is 'Scale Season' and is being presented by Chelsea Ford Co.’s 10th anniversary.

For a decade, Chelsea Ford has backed Foodpreneurs and pushed to shake up an industry that too often plays it safe and leaves smaller players behind. She champions bold products, smarter tech, and better ways of working - because the future of CPG should be shaped by ideas, not just deep pockets.

Chelsea believes every emerging brand deserves a fair shot - not crumbs from the big end of town. Founders, no matter their gender, ethnicity, cultural background, spiritual path, sexual orientation, or beliefs, deserve their place on the shelves.

Chelsea stands for healthy competition - real competition - where brave ideas and fresh brands rise up because they’re good, not because they’re bankrolled.

This podcast is part of that mission. Every episode sparks bigger thinking, practical action, and the connections you need to get your products into more hands - and more money in your pocket.

Ten years in, she’s more committed than ever. The next decade is wide open for those ready to do things differently and back themselves to grow.

Click this link to see how you can be part of it.