The Build | The Rise of Olipop - Redefining Soda, One Can At A Time + How It Became The Runner’s Soda (With Steven Vigilante)

Imagine this: you're standing inside a trendy L.A. grocery store—maybe it's Erewhon. You've got a cooler full of canned soda that claims to be good for your gut. You're not a celebrity and you're not even the founder of the company. You're just a guy with a vision, a few samples, and the audacity to talk your way into a product launch. That was Steven Vigilante back in 2018. Today, Olipop—the better-for-you soda brand that he helped bring to life—is in more than 30,000 stores across the country. They've partnered with Barbie, NASCAR, the Brooklyn Nets, New York Liberty, and somehow even made it into a Luke Combs music video. But it didn't start there. Steven cut his teeth in venture capital, betting early on health forward brands. When he saw the potential in a fiber-packed functional soda, he jumped in—first as an advisor, and then as the architect behind some of the boldest growth and partnership strategies in beverage today. So how do you build a soda brand that dares to take on the likes of Coke and Pepsi? One that trades sugar for science and still wins hearts and taste buds across America? In addition to all of that, they're also major partners for CITIUS MAG. This is the latest episode of The Build with Steven Vigilante, Director of Media and Partnerships at Olipop, on staying scrappy, scaling smart, and crafting a new kind of soda, one can at a time. Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ Guest: Steven Vigilante | @stevenvigilante on X SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS PILLAR PERFORMANCE: We all know that sleep is where the magic happens. That's when your body is rebuilding – but getting into those deeper stages of sleep is what makes the difference between just going to bed and actually recovering. Just mix in a scoop of water about 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime. It's simple, it's clean, it's vegan, and NSF certified. If you're someone who takes their training and recovery seriously, this is something worth trying. Head to ⁠⁠pillarperformance.shop⁠⁠ , or if you're in North America, go to ⁠⁠thefeed.com⁠⁠ and use code CITIUS for 15% off your first purchase. GRAND SLAM TRACK: This isn't your average track meet. This is Grand Slam Track, where legends are made, records fall, and the stakes are high. After a sellout crowd in Miami and $100,000 awarded to each Slam champion, the league now heads to one of the most iconic stages in American track: Franklin Field in Philadelphia, May 30th-June 1st. Grab your tickets now at ⁠⁠GrandSlamTrack.com⁠⁠ and witness it all packed into one unforgettable weekend. VELOUS: Recover smarter with VELOUS’ new active adjustable slide! Tired feet? VELOUS has you covered. VELOUS just launched the NEW Active Adjustable Slide, designed to take your recovery to the next level. With a perfectly contoured midsole, these slides maximize cushioning and support to help ease tired feet and legs. Run. Recover. Repeat with VELOUS. ⁠⁠Check out the entire collection and enjoy 20% off your purchase by entering code CITIUSMAG20 at checkout!