Today we’d like to introduce you to Mindy Mahy.
Hi Mindy, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
KOPU was started quite serendipitously really. I had just left a long-time position as a commercial real estate broker in NYC when I met my now husband Justin who had just sold his tech company, so we were in a unique place with both of us thinking, “ok now what?” After A LOT of conversations. We had it. A water company. Not just a water company, but I chic, healthy, and sustainable water company. Every person we shared this with had a similar response…water? Really? But to us, water was the exact place that there where we saw the greatest need for improvement to meet an accelerating demand for brands that value both people and the planet. KOPU was born. The water is top quality, the aesthetic is sleek, and the brand is authentically sustainable. KOPU is sourced domestically in the Cascades of central Oregon and the water is of the best quality. KOPU Still is exceptionally smooth, mineral-rich, and naturally alkaline. For KOPU Sparkling, the carbonation took over a year to perfect and was worth every second! We dreamed of creating luxurious bubbles for our customers and infused the water with millions of tiny, champagne-like bubbles. The water is award-winning. KOPU is sold in luxury hospitality and upscale restaurants where the brand is performing exceptionally and also deeply resonates with guests.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The biggest challenge in the beginning was by far earning the trust of hospitality clients. There are not a lot of brands that have earned the honor of being served at upscale restaurants or 5-star hotels and many of them are understandingly hesitant to take a chance on a new brand. Fortunately, there we had restaurant and hotel clients that could feel the changing tides of guests desires for a brand that they were more connected to, that had a story, and that was committed to putting people back in harmony with the planet. The testimony of these clients who are leaders in the industry, helped others to realize that we can do better and that sustainable luxury is actual luxury now.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
KOPU is a modern, American luxury water brand sold primarily in upscale restaurants and hotels. KOPU is boldly different to brands typically served in hospitality that are shipped in from halfway around the world in heavy glass and straight into local landfills (only 10 states recycle glass!) We also debuted a pioneering KOPU Aluminum Stewardship (KAS) program in 2022 which as been extremely successful with out clients in leading them to a zero waste water packaging program while also offering guests the best of quality. With KAS, we provide our clients with designated bins in which empty KOPU bottles and all other aluminum such as beer and soda cans can be deposited. Upon each delivery of KOPU, the empty aluminum containers are collected and taken to our third party scrap metal partner for immediate recycling. Within 60-90 days, the aluminum will re-emerge as another bottle, part of a Tesla chassis or laptop etc. KOPU Water is also very healthy and comes from one of the highest quality water sources in the world…but right here in America. The water replenishes and reinvigorates the body with minerals and has a natural pH of 8.0. The water is also rich in naturally occurring silica which is nature’s beauty mineral and the building block of collagen.
KOPU is also the “Official Luxury Water” of the Forbes Travel Guide. This is an honor that we are incredibly proud of as FTG is an arbiter of luxury. They have realized that as part of a program of luxury hotels and resorts, sustainability is a crucial component to making guests feel comfortable and enjoy experiences that they can feel good about. KOPU Water was was the perfect partner as a leader in sustainable luxury and is playing an important role in helping hospitality clients achieve their sustainability goals.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up.
When I was about 6 or 7 years old, I asked my parents to enter me into the local talent show in my hometown in Missouri. I told them I had been practicing a dance routine and wanted to perform. To be fair, I waaaas practicing but would get distracted and practice my gymnastics instead. So, I was shocked to wake up one morning soon after and be told the talent show was that day! I chose the song “Black Cat” by Janet Jackson which my mom had so graciously put on a tape just for my show. I was called to the stage and was having an internal panic attack. I felt blood rushing to my face with embarrassment. I remembered nothing I had rehearsed as everyone’s eyes were on me. So, when the song began, I freestyle danced on stage in front of my town (and maybe threw in a couple random cartwheels). I didn’t win any awards (shocking!), but I learned that in the toughest of times, just going through the motions is better than doing nothing. You’ll get through it; just keep moving.
Contact Info:
- Website: kopuwater.com
- Instagram: @kopuwater
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kopuwater
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@kopuwater
