Potion Bottling Company
Funds Requested: $18K
Funds Used For: The funds used for Potion Bottling Company would go towards an oil extractor, an investment partner, and advertising and marketing.
About:
Potion Bottling Company, is the parent business for a line of products created exclusively from the cactus fruit of the state plant of Texas, the prickly pear cactus. These products include “ County Road Jelly”, an award-winning jelly recipe and “Potion: prickly pear cocktail syrup”, an award-winning, sugar-free syrup made from prickly pear cactus fruit and agave, also an award-winning recipe. Other recipes to turn into products include “Cactus Patch Kids”, sugar-free cactus fruit candy, “Potion: prickly pear sports drink”, and “Potion: prickly pear water”.
How much money have you invested in the company and in what time frame? What was the money used for?
Roughly $3,500 over 10 years for transportation, overnight trips to Austin and Dallas, making connections at co-packers and fruit juicers. Glass jars and food ingredients making jelly and syrup. Research materials- Abby at 3rd Street Printing has printed whole books for me on the subject that I could only find in pdf form.
What was the GROSS income from your business last year?
Zero $
What was the NET income from your business last year?
Zero $
What are your SALES PROJECTIONS for NEXT CALENDAR YEAR?
With an $11,000 investment towards physical product, Total Revenue would be $18,417, total profit $7,417
Have you ever tried to raise money from outside sources? YES/NO (Highlight one)
If YES, please provide details:
No
What attempts have you made to build your business? Have you been successful?
Yes, I have made significant progress in building the foundation of my business. Over the course of development, I have successfully perfected the recipes for our product line, which includes prickly pear cactus jelly, syrup, water, candy, and a sports drink. I have dedicated substantial time to studying the plant itself, understanding its properties, and ensuring that the final products meet high standards of quality and innovation. Additionally, I have actively participated in both global and local idea challenges, where, although I did not secure the grand prize, I gained invaluable exposure and mentoring. These experiences provided essential feedback that has helped refine both the products and my approach to entrepreneurship. Positive word-of-mouth from family and friends has further validated the potential of the brand. I also participated in several fairs and entrepreneurial challenges, which provided the opportunity to directly compare my products with others in the market. These experiences, coupled with the visibility and networking opportunities, were instrumental in solidifying the long-term vision for the brand. Overall, I consider these efforts to be foundational successes that contribute to the sustained growth and development of the company.
Why do you want to pitch your business?
I am driven to pitch my business as a tribute to my late grandmother, whose wisdom and guidance were instrumental in shaping both my values and my entrepreneurial vision. She not only helped me perfect the recipes that form the foundation of my product line, but also instilled in me the importance of being a responsible steward of the earth and mindful of the time we have here. Her belief in sustainability, care for nature, and the value of hard work are principles that I aim to honor through this venture. This business is not just a personal endeavor but a living tribute to her legacy, and I hope to share it with others in a meaningful way.
What is your unique selling proposition? What is your “hook”, and why is your business notable?
Potion’s unique selling proposition lies in the exceptional health benefits of prickly pear cactus fruit, which boasts more antioxidants than any other fruit. The brand has significant potential to go viral and establish itself as a long-term leader in the wellness industry, much like "Pom" did. With strong brand recognition and a product line that can expand across multiple sectors, Potion is positioned to captivate both local and global markets. The brand’s headquarters in Abilene adds a "local" appeal that could attract additional investments and interest. Moreover, our products, such as the Potion Prickly Pear Sports Drink—a refreshing, sugar-free, carbonated beverage—offer a blend of wellness and taste that appeals to health-conscious consumers, addressing socio-economic challenges while promoting better living.
Describe the circumstances surrounding how you conceived and developed your business.
The idea for my business originated after returning to Texas following several years away. One summer, while working a job cutting ditches along Taylor County roads, I noticed the abundance of prickly pear cactus fruit. I mentioned this to my grandmother, who reminded me of the time we made jelly together when I was younger. She pulled out her recipe book and found "prickly pear jelly," guiding me to pick ripe fruit for our first batch. Captivated by the color and taste, I spent the next decade researching all aspects of the prickly pear cactus. Following my grandmother's passing, I felt a deep sense of purpose to honor her legacy by sharing the knowledge and values she imparted, using them to create a business that benefits the community and promotes sustainability.
List any organizations or clubs with which you’re associated.
Brotherhood of Saint Andrew, Episcopal Young Adults
How did you hear about applying for “Investing in Abilene”?
BigCountryHomepage
Have you applied for “Investing in Abilene” before?
no
Have you previously pitched or discussed your business or product to any other investors? Provide details.
I’ve pitched “County Roads Jelly” to ACU’s Entrepreneurship Challenge “Springboard Ideas” Challenge worth $5,000.
I’ve pitched “Potion: Prickly Pear Sports Drink” to National Geographic’s Chasing Genius Ideas Challenge worth $40,000, This was a competition aimed at discovering innovative ideas that could address some of the world's most pressing problems. The challenge was part of National Geographic's broader Chasing Genius initiative, which sought to find and support individuals with groundbreaking ideas that could have a positive impact on the world. I made top 40 out of thousands of entries and my video was downloaded to National Geographics website.
I’ve pitched “Potion Bottling Co.” to ACU BE/ Building Entrepreneurs in Abilene competition worth $100,000. I made it to the top ten and was told by a judge to participate in the next competition as I was last pick for top 3.
Additional Notes or Thoughts:
Year one goals are to build brand awareness.
In 2024, I noticed a “hot pepper jelly” company out of South Texas called “Brushfire Farms”, branch out and make prickly pear jelly and prickly pear syrup. In just a short amount of time, the company, who appears to be comprised of one man, has expanded their reach to online, and in bars in San Antonio and Austin with their syrup. I would like to hit DFW area with my product before this company expands east next season.
| **Product** | **Investment** | **Units Produced** | **Revenue** | **Profit** |
|---------------------------|----------------|---------------------|-------------|------------|
| Prickly Pear Jelly | $2,000 | 500 jars | $4,000 | $2,000 |
| Prickly Pear Syrup | $3,000 | 300 liters | $5,700 | $2,700 |
| Prickly Pear Water | $2,000 | 2,667 bottles | $2,667 | $667 |
| Prickly Pear Candy | $3,000 | 375 4-packs | $3,750 | $750 |
| Prickly Pear sprt Drink | $1,000 | 500 bags | $2,000 | $1,000 |
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