Marissa Glennon, an entrepreneur born and raised in Manhattan Beach, has embarked on a journey that is bringing more mindful drinking options to the market. Founder of Weekday Vibes, Marissa is soaring to new heights in the non-alcoholic industry.

 

Marissa’s mother, Mindy Bath-Schmidt, who resides on 8th Street, shares, “My daughter has created a non-alcoholic wine beverage focusing on people who are looking to cut back their alcohol intake, or can’t drink because of mitigating circumstances - really anyone who wants to enjoy a wine cocktail without the side effects of alcohol.”

 

Having grown up in the tight-knit community of Manhattan Beach, attending local schools like Pacific Elementary, MBI, and Mira Costa, Marissa's roots run deep in the area. She, along with her twin brother, spent their formative years in the family home located in the Hill Section and are rooted in the community.

 

 

Marissa's journey into the world of non-alcoholic beverages was guided by her personal experiences and the desire to create a product that would cater to a diverse consumer base. She credits her supportive husband, Pat, joking that he is her "fractional CFO," bringing his expertise as a CPA and CFA to support her business venture. Together, they manage operations from their garage office, which serves as their fulfillment center, making packing and shipping a family affair.

 

Marissa explains that Weekday Vibes offers a range of non-alcoholic wine beverages for three distinct segments of consumers: the sober, sober curious, and situationally sober. The "sober" category describes those who have decided to eliminate alcohol entirely but still crave an elevated experience similar to the sophistication of wine cocktails. The "sober curious" segment includes individuals who consume alcohol infrequently and seek an elevated experience without the presence of alcohol. Lastly, the "situationally sober" group, which Marissa can personally relate to, encompasses people who cannot consume alcohol for various reasons but still desire to participate in social situations with elevated beverage options.

 

“Having options is helpful,” says Marissa. “I would have loved a product like this when I was pregnant and nursing. It would have helped me to feel more connected to social situations with non-alcoholic options.”

 

Marissa's commitment to authenticity is evident in her production process. “Because I come from the wine industry, I wanted to make as true of a proxy as possible to the full alcohol version,” she explains. She begins with real wine from California and meticulously de-alcoholizes it while retaining all the original flavors and characteristics, resulting in a true-to-taste non-alcoholic wine beverage. Her nearly two decades of work experience served her well, especially with the contacts that she had in the industry.

 

Weekday Vibes officially launched online in February of this year, following a soft launch to friends and family the previous year. Her budding business has been warmly welcomed by the community, especially with flavors like Bitter Orange Spritz and Grapefruit Rosemary Sparkling Rosé.

 

 

Looking ahead, Marissa aims to be featured in the dream retailers that align with her target audience. She plans to introduce two new flavors in the coming months.

 

Marissa's love for her hometown of Manhattan Beach is evident in Weekday Vibes' brand identity, which draws inspiration from her beachy roots. In her photography, her cans are artfully displayed under the iconic Manhattan Beach Pier, and the overall aesthetic exudes a subtle retro ‘70s vibe with a contemporary touch. She skillfully did all the photography herself, capturing picture-perfect photos in the process.

 

As Weekday Vibes continues to gain momentum with its sophisticated and flavorful non-alcoholic wine beverages, Marissa is an inspiration to others. With her creative vision, she is trailblazing the path for a new era of non-alcoholic beverages, all while staying true to her roots in Manhattan Beach.