Interview with Sake High! Founder, Brenna Turner
At a recent event for SHE Mark in Los Angeles, we were introduced to Brenna Turner, co-founder of Sake High! Throughout the evening we served cans of her sake at the bar and loved the taste, the branding, and her story. We both live in Los Angeles and share the journey of being female founders in the wine & spirit industry.
Founders Joey Labes and Brenna Turner
Do you remember where you were when you had your first sip of sake?
My journey with sake began in Ann Arbor, Michigan, right after I turned 21. My friends and I made it a ritual to enjoy hot sake weekly at the Slurping Turtle, loving the warmth of all being together but also the thrill of a new and exciting drink to us. The sense of community and camaraderie that sake fostered left a lasting impression on me! But sake was still something new and intimidating and delving deeper into all the varieties seemed daunting so since then I just always ordered whatever was recommended to me or what was easiest to pronounce!
Looking back at all the times I sipped sake before Sake High!, I realized the vast potential and untapped opportunities within the sake industry, far beyond its stereotypical association with sushi restaurants. Fast forward to the present, I hope Sake High! helps lead a revolutionary moment where traditional sake can finally be understood and appreciated by the modern consumer. Sake High! stands as a testament to the ever-evolving landscape of the sake world, redefining how consumers perceive and experience it!
What inspired you to start your own brand?
My journey into entrepreneurship began unconventionally. Working in sports and live events, I observed the impact of big-budget marketing for alcohol brands that had low quality liquid. A trip to Japan visiting some family sparked the idea for Sake High! where I began to collab with a young brewmaster looking to revitalize traditional sake brewing!
Learning about sake's decline in Japan, coupled with its global rise in popularity, inspired me to bridge the gap and introduce high-quality, approachable sake to the American market. Collaborating with a local Japanese brewery, my goal was to demystify sake, making it accessible to a wider audience and showcasing its versatility as a beverage for all occasions. Sake High! embodies my mission of spreading love and inclusivity through the joy of sake!
Sake High! cans
We would imagine that there aren't too many female founders for sake brands out there. Is this assumption correct and if so, why do you think that is?
The strong influence of male leadership in both the sake and wine industries stems from their labor-intensive nature, with sake brewing and winemaking historically performed by men. Similarly, sales roles have been male-dominated, primarily due to the physically demanding nature of product delivery and driving. Because of all this, there's been a lack of innovation and female representation within the industry. I'm excited to finally see a promising shift underway with other female-owned beverage brands like Bev and Besa wines and trailblazing entrepreneurs like myself spearheading the charge to bring fresh perspectives and innovative liquid creations to the forefront!
We love your can design! What's the story there?
Our logo, the bird, is a metaphor for life and our mission at Sake High!. Just like the bird on our can, we hope when you drink our sake you fly high out of your comfort zone, sharing a can of sake with the stranger next to you or pairing the sake with new foods and new occasions! I hope that the approachability and easy to understand format of our sake will help demystify sake and show that you can enjoy sake at the beach, concerts, on the mountain, and more!
Sake High!
We had the opportunity to taste Sake High! at the SheMARK event we both attended and we loved it. Where can fans find your cans?
I'm so glad you enjoyed the sake! Sake High! is now sold across California, Oregon, Michigan, and Virginia. You'll find us in your local restaurants, bars, and upscale bodegas, and now most SoCal Total Wines (find us).
Sake High! has celebrated some significant milestones recently, such as debuting at the Hollywood Bowl and The Greek Theatre!
What are the next big plans for Sake High!?
So many fun things and developments are on the horizon for Sake High! We're thrilled to announce our recent partnership with 1% for the Planet, allowing every purchase of Sake High! to contribute to water conservation efforts. We're hoping our customers are excited to sip with purpose and be a part of this meaningful initiative!
Expanding beyond the west coast, Sake High! is now available in California, Oregon, Michigan, and soon in Virginia, with nationwide shipping available on our website at sakehigh.com!
Looking ahead, we're focusing on establishing a stronger sales presence in major grocery chains and we're hoping you'll see Sake High! at some ski mountains this season! Get ready to sip Sake High! in the most unexpected places!
What advice can you give to other women out there who are thinking about starting a beverage brand?
To all aspiring female founders in the beverage industry: Take the leap and trust in your journey! Embrace the challenges and know that perseverance is key. Be prepared for countless rejections and silence, but let your brand's authenticity and product quality speak for itself. Success is attainable through determination (a lot of it!) and a commitment to your vision. Go for it, and never look back! Last, remember to learn from your peers in the industry and find mentors and advisors with previous successes. While your beverage products may differ, there's much to gain from sharing distribution and sales strategies. Recognize that despite different marketing and brand missions, there's considerable overlap in these vital business areas. Embrace collaboration as you build your own unique path to success!
Sake High!
Cocktails:
We love advertising how versatile both our cans and bottles are! If our sake is too strong for you, or you just want to get creative, here are some easy recipes to make at home: https://www.sakehigh.com/cocktails
My new obsession for bbq and a sunny day: 3 oz Sake High!, 2 oz Hibiscus Tea, Fresh Lime Juice
Some fun fall and winter cocktails here: https://www.sakehigh.com/post/5-fall-cocktails-with-sake-high
Founding Team
I started Sake High! with my life partner Joey. He and I shared a passion for life’s celebrations, meeting new people, and creating life’s best moments!
