Exploring Life & Business with Eddie Favela of Vidagua

Today we’d like to introduce you to Eddie Favela.

Hi Eddie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Vidagua originally started with me loving my Mexican background but also being very much into the foods I eat. Growing up as a soccer player, I prioritized nutritious and healthy meals and took a deep dive into the world of health and nutrition.

At the same time, I began to realize that many of the traditional foods I grew up eating were not the best for me. One of my favorite things to drink were aguas frescas. They always had such diverse flavors and were so refreshing, but often they were loaded with sugar. I realized there had to be a way to make these foods from my culture in a healthier way while still preserving the quality and flavor. Thus, Vidagua was born!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been a smooth road at all. Originally, I began selling my bottled aguas frescas from scratch in the back of my dad’s restaurants. His restaurants were closed on Sundays, so I utilized this time for Vidagua so I wouldn’t interfere with the other workers during regular business hours. I would head to the kitchen after church to make around 500 bottles that would last the week, and wouldn’t finish until 3 a.m.

Later, once we had our products made with a certified co-packer, we began trying to sell to retail. I originally had no connections in this industry, so I began going from store to store, trying to self-deliver a couple of cases at a time. At the time, we weren’t working with any distributors, so it was hard to hear the many rejections, especially since the drives were oftentimes long.

However, we’ve been able to overcome these challenges with grace, and we’re now available at all 27 Gelson’s locations!

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Vidagua?
Vidagua is more than just a better-for-you beverage— it is a celebration and representation of my Mexican culture. It was made to show not only the rich flavors, but also the cleanliness of our foods and beverages. That is why our drinks are made with only natural ingredients and wholesome spices like cane sugar and Himalayan pink salt.

What differentiates us is that we prioritize respecting the flavor profile of an authentic agua fresca. Too often, we see brands only caring about calorie count or specific health benefits. While important, they often lack authenticity because of that. However, we care about making a traditional agua fresca that also has clean ingredients. One of the best compliments Vidagua has gotten to date is that it “tastes just like how my abuela makes it.” For us, that is exactly the reaction we aim for.

Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My favorite childhood growing up has to be spending my summers in Durango, Mexico. I remember feeling so carefree, and with nothing to worry about. The only thing I wondered about was what I was going to do with my cousins that day, which usually resulted in some sort of adventure. For me, those are some of my fondest memories that will last a lifetime!

Pricing:

• — Bottles retail 2.99
• — 12 pack cases retail 24.99
• — 6 pack cases retail 17.99

Contact Info:

• Website: https://vidaguabeverages.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/vidaguabeverages
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vidaguabeverages/
• Other: https://tiktok.com/@vidaguabeverages

Image Credits
Eric Alvarado with Indigo Concepts