Glamour chats to Megan Swart, the co-founder and owner of Sprix Beverages

Megan Swart, co-founder and owner of Sprix Beverages - the world’s first Rooibos seltzer -which she launched with her father.

We chatted to the 26-year-old entrepreneur to find out more about her brand.

lifestyle

Women in Charge: Meet Neroshnee Marimuthu

Can you share with us a little bit about your background?

I am 26 years old, born and raised in Paarl in the Western Cape. I studied Bcom at Stellenbosch University and studied an advanced Diploma in Food & Wine after my Bcom degree. After my studies I worked in the Stellenbosch area on a wine farm until I got the opportunity to go work in a Michelin star Restaurant in New York City. It was the experience of a lifetime and I’m very grateful I had the chance to live and work there. I had to return to South Africa due to the pandemic and that was when I couldn’t get the idea of a seltzer out of my head.

Why Rooibos as your flavour profile and why did you decide to create a seltzer?

I was pleasantly surprised that a lot of Americans knew what Rooibos was. When I came back home, I thought a lot about Rooibos and how special it is. To all of us, it's just our normal tea that we grew up with but for some it’s a magical red tea from Africa. That’s what the Americans call it. With my knowledge of seltzers in the US, I realised that our South African market lacked products in that category. We did not have anything low in calories and low in sugar. We were a bit behind in the beverage industry 2 years ago, but South Africans are quickly catching up to seltzer buzz. I wanted to create something proudly South African to export, but soon realised the interest locally as well. All of us are more concerned about what we put into our bodies and everyone wants to lower their sugar intake. Making something delicious with so many health benefits and low sugar just made sense. Despite being super tasty, Rooibos is a very powerful ingredient packed with antioxidants.

What is the process for creating your own Seltzer?

It takes a bit of time, but it’s worth the ride. You have to have a specific idea in mind before development to speed things along. Do your research on flavour profiles and who your target market is. It helps if you know what you want in terms of the look and feel of the brand before you start as well. You go through multiple tastings and tweaking before you get the perfect blend.

What were some of the challenges you faced?

Creating a Seltzer during the pandemic definitely has its challenges. The biggest challenge I faced was getting the product into the public eye.

Your top tips for budding entrepreneurs?

Surround yourself with positive people who share your vision. Don’t give up, some days will challenge you more than others. Remember what you are working towards.

What is your goal for your brand?

My goal is to be a household name in South Africa and be people’s first choice when it comes to choosing a drink that is low in calories and low in sugar.