Today we’d like to introduce you to Diego Polo. Diego, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My name is Diego Polo. I am originally from Guatemala and did my undergraduate and master’s degrees in the US. After working with an international student temporary work permit and not being selected in the H1B visa lottery process, I decided to invest in a small custom label bottled water company in Fort Lauderdale, FL and apply for a business visa. I had a little bit of background experience in the water industry and wanted to stay in the US to chase the American dream.
October marked the 20th month since we took over and we have grown from an owner/operator + one part-time employee to three full-time employees and a couple of parttimers. I manage the day to day operations of the business and have the close support of my family. We are a branding company that provides an opportunity to brand businesses or personalize events in a healthy way with the finest Florida’s own purified water with electrolytes. Our product/service is advertising and bottled water is a healthy and innovative vehicle for it.
Furthermore, we have lofty goals to continue to grow in the private label water industry as well as other water related products/services and become an established source of employment for the community.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has definitely been a challenging road; especially, being a foreigner without many contacts in the US. With so many products and services in all markets and salespeople constantly contacting everyone, it is sometimes hard to get the attention of the desired individual because of the perception of “another sales call.” However, the process has been a learning curve and we are finding ways to show the benefits of our product/service and get the attention desired.
Moreover, we are also facing the obstacle of the trend against plastic bottles. We believe that plastic is a wonderful material that has made the lives of human beings easier for a long time. The problem with pollution is not plastic; it is waste management. This is why we constantly promote recycling habits and offer help with recycling procedures to our recurrent customers. Our bottles are PET 1 plastic which is 100% recyclable. Besides, our counties’ infrastructure offers the opportunity to recycle. Recycling is the best way to handle plastic waste.
Tell us more about the business.
As mentioned, we are a branding company that specializes in custom, private label/personalized water. We offer an opportunity for all types of businesses to brand themselves healthily and innovatively or for anyone that wants to put a theme to their event and personalized water is an option for it. Our objective is to convince everyone to evolve from traditional advertising, believe in the power of branding, and place its brand at a higher category in the eyes of their audience through a product of mass consumption. You never know where that bottle of water will end up. MARKETING BUDGET / 100% TAX DEDUCTIBLE
For those who are resellers, why promote another brand when you can sell your own and expand your exposure…? FREE ADVERTISING
We do everything from label design to delivery, having the capability to do minimum orders of only five cases/120 bottles up to pallet quantities. Our turn around time on first time orders is five business days and re-deliveries within 72 hrs. We have weekly routes across south Florida’s tri-county area and our service includes white globe inside delivery with stacking.
Our product portfolio includes two size presentations, 12oz/355ml and 16.9oz/500ml cobalt blue and clear bottles. The cobalt blue bottle is our signature option as it protects the properties of water from rays of light. Our bottles are high grade PET 1 plastic 100% recyclable. Our water is purified through a rigorous multi-step process including filtration, reverse osmosis, sterilization by UV and ozonation and has calcium, magnesium, and potassium added as sources of electrolytes. We pride ourselves on the quality of our product and customer service. “More than a product, we provide a worry free and specialty service.” For additional info, please visit https://www.liquid-advertising.com/.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Private label water sales currently more than double the sales of the closest single brand water. Therefore, we believe this trend will continue to grow as more and more people realize the branding benefits of it by being able to place its advertising in a mass consumption product. In addition, there is always room for innovation and efficiencies when it comes to the specific materials of the finished good.
Contact Info:
Address: 4700 W, Prospect Rd Ste 113, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309 (Find us on
Google Maps under Liquid Advertising South Florida)
Website: https://www.liquid-advertising.com/
Phone: 9548954012 / 9542780611
Email: orders@liquid-advertising.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liquidadvertisingsouthflorida/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Liquid-Advertising-South-Florida345402772852254/
