Carving a Niche with Design
For many businesses, standing out from the crowd in an already crowded marketplace is a mammoth task. But for Fresquita one of the ways they tackled this issue was with highly creative packaging.
Fresquita is Madrid’s first premium hard seltzer. Hard seltzers come in many forms but typically consist of an alcohol base mixed with sparkling water. Fresquita is a hard seltzer combining vodka with sparkling water. It comes in three flavours: lime, raspberry and pineapple so there is something for everyone.
Founders Alex and Beatrice first became acquainted with Hard Seltzer’s back when they lived in Amsterdam and soon fell in love with them.
“What we love about Hard Seltzer was how clean it was. We live a healthy lifestyle but wanted to keep up our healthy habits even in our social time. We left Amsterdam and missed this cleaner living option so decided to start up our own one in Madrid,” comments Alex.
Hard Seltzer began in the US back in 2016 with brands like White Claw leading the market. The drink is tailored to an audience who are increasingly looking for drinks with a lower alcohol percentage with less and more natural ingredients.
Combining Alex’s 5 years of sales experience both in the US and Europe selling alcohol brands such as LOLEA; and Beatrice’s 5 years of design and illustration they set about crafting their hard seltzer.
SMALL STEPS
With Hard Seltzer being such a new concept in Spain, initially the founders had some difficulty finding a distillery that knew what Hard Seltzer was and could help them develop a great one.
“Part of the challenge when you are introducing a new product to the market is the lack of awareness of it even at the manufacturing level. Very few of the distilleries knew what a Hard Seltzer was, let alone had tried one,” comments Beatrice. After much back and forth they found the perfect spot in Barcelona.
“Once we had gotten over that initial hurdle and had a product that we were happy with we turned our attention to the packaging design. During the design stages we often asked ourselves, in a market with a known heritage of more traditional alcohol options such as wine, sherry and beer, how could we convince someone to try something new?”
PACKAGING
With such a new product that people are not familiar with, the founders found it imperative to create attractive packaging for the brand. The brand’s designer Beatrice explains more: “ We wanted to entice people’s curiosity by creating an attractive product that people would be excited to try. As my co-founder Alex is half Swedish, I was inspired by his Nordic roots to build the packaging of the brand. The typography for our brand was inspired by nordic runes. On our cans, above our brand name I made an icon which represents Odin’s eye. In Nordic mythology Odin;(who some of you may recognise as Thor’s father from the Marvel films), sacrifices one eye in order to gain higher
knowledge. “We like to joke that his missing eye is the one that you find on our cans’” adds Beatrice.
“For the illustrations of the flavours we wanted them to be an interpretation of the faces of famous Gods. We loved the idea of combining a fresh and modern design with touches of classical mythology to ground the brand. So our Raspberry flavour represents Aphrodite, our Lime Artemis and our Pineapple flavour the sun god Apollo.”
EMBRACING THE SENSES
Beatrice and Alex also found ways to make their Hard Seltzer a full sensory experience. As well as both the sense of smell and taste, the founders were very playful with the sense of touch when it came to the packaging design.
Alex explains “ We wanted for Fresquita to have a certain texture to it so that it would be instantly recognisable in any bar or restaurant. We also felt that the relief applied to the logo sent signals to the consumer about the quality of the product. It’s an artisanal, premium product and we wanted to ensure that the packaging reflected that.”
Fresquita is exclusively sold by Stagnettos in Gibraltar. If you would like to order it for your bar or restaurant send an email to info@vivafresquita.com.
SHARE THIS
OTHER
Running a small business is an exciting journey, but without proper bookkeeping, it can quickly become overwhelming. Imagine trying to make critical business decisions without knowing how much money is in your account or being caught off guard by a hefty tax bill because records weren’t kept up to date. Good bookkeeping isn’t just about staying compliant; it’s about gaining control over your business, planning for growth, and avoiding costly mistakes.
If, like me, you spend more time than you should doom scrolling LinkedIn, you could be tempted into thinking no-one fails. LinkedIn has become a hyperbolic haven and a place to scream and shout about success. But what about failures - why aren’t we talking about them? In business, failure is inevitable. I mean it. Whether it's a product flop, a marketing misstep, or a company on the brink of collapse, every entrepreneur will face moments that test them. Yet, history has shown that these failures can often be the starting point for something extraordinary.
One of the most dangerous things anyone can say in business is, "We've always done it this way." This phrase doesn't age well and puts businesses at risk. "We've always done it this way" can quickly look like "flogging a dead horse." This doesn't always mean that businesses need to change everything. Some things, like great service, never go out of fashion. But when sales start to slow down, it's always a good idea to consider taking a new approach. Rebranding a product, service, or entire enterprise can be part of this process. But rebranding should never be taken lightly.
Corporate Social Responsibility is no longer just for big companies. Small and medium-sized businesses are making a real impact through practical, authentic actions that reflect who they are. From supporting sport, culture and charities to rolling up sleeves for environmental projects, consistent CSR builds trust, loyalty and pride. When businesses show up for their community in meaningful ways, those efforts are noticed and often returned.
Mental health issues affect us all. How we manage our daily stresses and anxieties have an impact on our relationships, how we perform in our job and the workplace environment, and our outlook on life. Becoming self-aware of what affects us, managing how we respond to triggers and using tools to help us work through them, are all part of our journey towards MENTAL FITNESS, which is how we should be positively defining it.
Since 2007, Earth Hour has been known as the biggest hour for the planet as millions of people switch their “lights off” as a symbolic action for the environment
In the latest edition of Thrive, regular contributor John Hayes reflects on the uncertainty facing small and medium-sized businesses in Gibraltar. From Brexit fallout to ever-changing frontier delays, he unpacks why the border remains a top concern—and how local firms are adapting. While resolving post-Brexit cross-border issues is beyond the scope of this correspondent, there are practical steps business owners can take to mitigate and manage the challenges of this uncertainty.
Stepping into a leadership role can be exciting. It’s a chance to shape the future and lead a team to success. But with a leadership role comes a new level of responsibility. You’re suddenly the person others look to for direction and answers, and it’s your role to create a workplace where they can thrive - while also being accountable for their work. And that isn’t always an easy balancing act. Leadership is a learning curve - an eternal one at that. By focusing on a few key behaviours and techniques, you can set yourself on the right path to lead well, build a great high performing team and help your business grow.
Finding someone who listens, understands, and guides you can make all the difference. For women in Gibraltar, the Women’s Mentorship Programme offers just that – honest conversations and valuable support from people with lived experience who understand. Now in its sixth cycle, the programme pairs women with mentors to help them navigate work, life, and everything in between. Ok, full disclosure: as a recently appointed mentor, that last sentence somewhat triggers the old imposter syndrome and self-doubt, but I am honoured to be part of this scheme and look forward to doing my very best in the months ahead.
Whether you’re an ebook tapper or traditional page turner, there are thousands of books that can make you better at business. Áine Panter, Head of the School of Business at the University of Gibraltar has curated a list of must-reads that will inspire, inform, and equip you for success.
Introducing the Thrive Catalog - A curated collection of goodies selected by our editorial team each quarter. Everything featured is available right here, right now at prices that are better than or compete with the internet.
Pets are like family, right? As a proud cat dad, I’d actually go further and say that they are family. Over the years, I have spent my well-earned money on (many) toys, beds, treats and vet bills for my two feline furballs Nacho and Drake. And I am not alone. According to a recent Fortune Business Insight report, the global pet care market was valued at a massive £171.78 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow from £180.06 billion in 2023 to £269.29 billion by 2030.
When it comes to ideation in business, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Every business, team, and leader has their own way of generating and refining ideas. Whether it’s through structured brainstorming sessions, casual conversations, or solo reflection, the goal is to unlock creativity and find solutions. We’ve asked four GFSB members to share how they approach ideation in their fields. As you read, think about how you generate ideas and remember that sometimes, the best results come from trying something new.
When you’re a small business, staying one step ahead of the competition is essential. Yet, many small business owners grapple with the decision to invest in employee training and development. With limited resources and immediate financial pressures, it can unintentionally get pushed to the bottom of the priority list. However, investing in your team’s learning and development is a strategic move that can yield significant returns.
Did you know that what you eat directly affects your energy levels, brain function, and stress resilience? Poor dietary habits—such as skipping meals, consuming too much caffeine, or relying on processed foods—can lead to energy crashes, brain fog, and reduced efficiency. On the other hand, a well-balanced diet stabilises blood sugar, enhances cognitive function, and keeps stress levels in check.
Thrive catches up with Nick Pitaluga TEP, Managing Director of Gibraltar Trust & Corporate Services Limited - “GTCS”. From starting out as a messenger to leading his firm through a major merger, Nick talks about the importance of stepping outside your comfort zone and offers inspiration for anyone carving their own niche.
If you’re looking to grow your business, expand your reach post Treaty or simply try something new, collaboration can be one of the most effective ways to do it. The key is approaching it with a bit of structure. And resisting the urge to say yes to everything just because someone seemed nice over a […]
3 mins |
How to: Brainstorm
If you’ve been dreaming of starting your own business, you’re not alone. Data from the UK’s Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed that the annual number of companies registered is edging closer to the one million mark, that’s up by 75,000 in 2022 which itself was 30,000 higher than in 2021. Whether it's following a passion, aiming for financial independence, or breaking free from the 9-5 grind, every entrepreneurial journey begins with one crucial thing: a solid idea. But coming up with that perfect idea can be tough. This is where brainstorming comes in—it’s the creative springboard that can help you turn your business dreams into reality.
Starting and running a small business is rewarding but comes with its fair share of challenges. The path of entrepreneurship is often characterised by immense dedication, long hours, and tough decisions. As a small business owner, you're not just responsible for the operations and growth of your company and team, but also for your own wellbeing.
Whether you’re building a business from the ground up or hoping to grow an existing operation, having a strong business development strategy is the foundation of success. But real, sustainable growth doesn’t come from chasing the next big thing, it comes from getting the essentials right. So, what are the fundamentals you can’t afford to ignore? In my view, this starts with something I call the “Holy Trinity” of small business marketing...