Presence, Purpose, and the Power of Non-Alc Brands

Hey everyone, Austin Dandridge here!

This week I sat down with Molly Fienning - serial founder of Babiators, Red Clay Hot Sauce, and now Sipland. She’s built her career at the intersection of product, purpose, and community. But what really stood out was how much of her decision-making comes from tuning in rather than chasing trends.

You can catch the episode on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple.

“The second mountain of life is a personal journey… everything you do, including your business, is about truth from within.”
Molly talked about a shift that happens when you stop building for success on paper and start building something that actually reflects who you are. Sipland was born from that shift.

“We wanted to create a space where we could still party, still celebrate—just without alcohol.”
Sipland isn’t about sobriety, it’s about optionality. It’s about creating a culture that doesn’t revolve around alcohol, without losing the energy and connection of shared experiences.

“If you don’t know, you wait until you know.”
Molly’s approach to leadership is all about clarity. She’s not forcing decisions. She’s not rushing. She’s sitting with things until the right answer shows up—which, in a world that moves fast, feels surprisingly effective.

We also got into the energy of today’s founders, especially Gen Z.

“Gen Z women are showing up with more boundaries and self-worth than I ever had in my 20s.”
Molly shared how impressed she is by younger entrepreneurs who aren’t subscribing to burnout culture. And honestly, I’ve seen it too. What some write off as entitlement, others recognize as a smarter way to work.

On the brand side, we talked about community as a business model.

“Great brands don’t chase customers - they meet them in real life.”
At SipLand, they’re not just promoting non-alc products - they’re building in-person experiences that foster real connection. It’s not a marketing tactic, it’s the product.

“I’m an alchemist. I love creating something out of nothing.”
That line really sums up Molly. She’s not in it for scale at all costs. She builds what she wants to exist. Then she brings it to life with care, alignment, and good instincts.

This one was less about tactics and more about clarity, creativity, and building something that actually matters to you. If you’re in a season of starting or pivoting, you’ll take a lot from this one.

Until next time,

Austin

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