Raising the Bar: How Ama Built a Mocktail Business with Support from YWCA PowerUp
When an idea feels like an itch you need to scratch, sometimes the only thing to do is take the leap and see where it leads. For Ama, a YWCA PowerUp alumna, that's exactly what she did.
YWCA PowerUp is a free entrepreneurship program that helps women bring their ideas to life through training, mentorship and practical tools for building sustainable businesses.
“I've always known I have a strong entrepreneurial side. It's something I really wanted to explore and had been thinking about for a long time. The idea kept nagging at me, saying, ‘You need to pursue this,’” says Ama.
Ama joined YWCA PowerUp after searching for a program that could support her entrepreneurial ambitions. She knew she wanted to start a business but wasn't sure where to begin. PowerUp checked all the boxes and she signed up right away.
“I realized I needed structure, guidance and support. This program was perfect for that. It helped me move things along and start building my business.”
Working full time in a corporate role, Ama had to balance her career with building a business. With limited spare time but plenty of determination, she completed the PowerUp program and launched Dry Bar Collective, a business that provides non-alcoholic beverage services for events.
Globally, more people are choosing to drink less alcohol for reasons that include health, wellness and cost. In Canada, younger generations are leading the shift from cocktails to mocktails.
“I realized there was a market for this, especially among the people in my own network. I saw an opportunity and decided to build a business around it.”
Ama isn't trying to reinvent the wheel. She recognizes there are already many great mocktail recipes available and has chosen to focus on the service side of the industry. Today, Dry Bar Collective provides mocktail services for events, while her longer-term vision is to create an expo or marketplace where businesses that make and sell non-alcoholic beverages can showcase their products and connect with the public.
The Benefits of Peer Support
As she serves drinks at a YWCA BC rooftop networking event, it's clear that Dry Bar Collective is gaining momentum. But Ama says she couldn't have done it alone.
“YWCA PowerUp was very helpful in many ways. It brought awareness to all the different resources and platforms available, whether financial supports or other services that can help women in business. The program curated all those resources, packaged them together and walked us through them. It also provided guidance and support to help me flesh out and refine my business idea.”
While Ama's business continues to grow, so do the relationships she built through the program.
“We created a group chat through the program, and it still exists today. I've built relationships and made connections with people who are part of a supportive entrepreneurial community. That's been really valuable.”
Ama's next step is to expand her events business and continue refining her services. As she grows Dry Bar Collective, she's focused on learning what works, improving customer experience and building a strong foundation for the future.
She moves forward with confidence, thanks to the support she received through YWCA PowerUp.
“The program gives people the tools and support they need to move forward and actually implement their ideas. For me, it has been extremely impactful.”
Join a Community of Women Entrepreneurs
From practical business training to ongoing peer support, YWCA PowerUp helps women build more than businesses. It helps them build networks, confidence and momentum. Discover how YWCA PowerUp can support your entrepreneurial journey.
Programs like YWCA PowerUp help women access the training, mentorship and support they need to pursue entrepreneurship and achieve economic independence. Make a donation today and help create more success stories like Ama's.
