Exhibiting at World Tea Expo 2025

so gud LLC, based in Brentwood, Tennessee, is an innovative beverage company at the intersection of sustainability, wellness, and design. Known for its 100% plastic-free, plant-based bottled beverages, so gud™ is redefining the ready-to-drink category by offering functional drinks in fully compostable packaging. With a commitment to health-conscious consumers and environmental responsibility, so gud™ has garnered attention as a next-generation brand for eco-smart hydration.

Core Business and Product Portfolio

so gud™ offers a range of flavored spring waters and botanical teas crafted to support everyday wellness. The portfolio includes:

• Ready-to-Drink Teas:

  • Passion Fruit Green Tea
  • Ginger Turmeric Tea
  • Earl Grey Bliss
  • Hibiscus Bloom
  • Brewed using real herbs, fruits, and adaptogens without added sugars or preservatives.

• Flavored Waters:

  • Cucumber Mint
  • Dragon Fruit
  • Mango Coconut
  • Pomegranate Blueberry
  • Infused with natural extracts and electrolytes for hydration and flavor.

• Spring Water:

  • Plastic-Free Plant-Based Bottled Water
  • Bottled at the source in Tennessee in fully compostable, BPA-free, PLA-based bottles with sugarcane caps.

All products are vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO, and packaged in home-compostable materials.

Specialization and Unique Selling Proposition

so gud™ stands apart from traditional beverage companies by focusing on the dual mission of:

• Sustainability-First Packaging:

  • All bottles are made from plant-based PLA (polylactic acid) derived from renewable resources.
  • Certified home-compostable, they decompose in under 180 days.
  • Sugarcane caps and zero fossil fuel-based plastics.

• Functional Wellness Formulas:

  • Blends feature adaptogens, antioxidants, and botanicals such as turmeric, hibiscus, and green tea catechins.
  • No artificial sweeteners or coloring agents.

• Design-Centric Brand Aesthetic:

  • Minimalist, matte-finish bottles designed to appeal to modern, health- and eco-conscious consumers.

so gud™ offers a guilt-free, lifestyle-forward beverage aligned with climate action, clean label transparency, and wellness optimization.

Certifications and Compliance

The company’s products and packaging adhere to strict environmental and food safety standards, including:

• BPI Certification (Biodegradable Products Institute) for compostability
• FDA-compliant production and bottling
• Home and industrial compost standards (ASTM D6400 / EN 13432) for packaging
• Non-GMO Project Verified Ingredients (select SKUs)

so gud™ maintains a transparent supply chain and ethical sourcing for both ingredients and packaging materials.

Market Reach and Distribution

As an emerging DTC-first and retail-ready brand, so gud™ has gained momentum through:

• Online DTC Sales via their website and Kickstarter platform
• Specialty Retail Launches in health stores, boutique groceries, and eco-conscious retailers
• Pop-ups and Event Partnerships across wellness expos and sustainability conferences
• National Fulfillment from its Tennessee-based bottling and distribution facility

Initial crowdfunding campaigns raised awareness and secured early adopters, with over $50,000 funded through Kickstarter in 2023.

Target Market and Buyer Segments

so gud™ targets the following key consumer segments:

• Millennial and Gen Z consumers seeking clean-label, low-impact products
• Sustainability Advocates and Eco-Lifestyle Influencers
• Health Enthusiasts avoiding synthetic additives, artificial sweeteners, or single-use plastic
• Retailers and cafes looking to enhance their plant-based or wellness-oriented offerings

The brand resonates with buyers who prioritize environmental impact alongside taste and nutritional value.

Operational Capabilities

so gud™ operates a vertically integrated business model, managing product design, R&D, and supply partnerships in-house:

• Bottling and Packaging: On-site in Tennessee with renewable energy integration
• In-House R&D: Formulates teas and waters using real ingredients, herbs, and functional botanicals
• Supply Chain Ethics: Collaborates with domestic spring water sources and eco-packaging innovators
• E-commerce Infrastructure: Custom Shopify-based store with carbon-neutral shipping options

The company scales with a low-waste model and employs small-batch production for quality control and innovation.

Financial and Performance Metrics

Though privately held, so gud™ has demonstrated strong traction through the following milestones:

• $50K+ in crowdfunding pre-orders via Kickstarter
• 20,000+ units sold within the first year of market launch
• 60% repeat customer rate through DTC channels
• Average order value: $38 per customer
• Production capacity: Up to 10,000 bottles per week with current equipment and staffing

These figures support a sustainable growth trajectory for regional and national expansion.

Customer Feedback and Testimonials

so gud™ has received consistently positive reviews on taste, mission, and packaging:

• “Finally a product that tastes great and doesn’t destroy the planet.”
• “I’ve replaced all my single-use plastic water bottles with so gud. The design alone is stunning.”
• “The ginger turmeric blend has become a part of my daily routine. I’m obsessed.”

Social media engagement is particularly high among eco-conscious communities and wellness influencers, with thousands of organic interactions monthly.

Major Achievements

• Successfully launched a Kickstarter campaign and hit funding goals within 10 days
• Developed the first fully compostable functional beverage packaging in its class
• Featured in sustainability publications like Green Matters and EcoWatch
• Partnered with local Tennessee water sources to reduce carbon footprint

so gud™ continues to attract attention from major wellness media, retail buyers, and eco-investors.

Conclusion

so gud™ is leading a quiet revolution in the beverage space—one that marries wellness innovation with zero-waste responsibility. By eliminating plastic, embracing botanicals, and creating a stylish, compostable alternative, so gud™ is appealing to the next generation of consumers who want more from their hydration choices. With a growing retail footprint, proven market demand, and a mission-driven brand story, so gud™ is poised to become a standout in the sustainable beverage category.