Hot Girl Soda began in 2022 during a season when I was struggling with acne-prone skin and not feeling very confident in my body. I started focusing more intentionally on my wellness, and at home I began mixing aloe vera juice with fruit juices and sparkling water. I called them my “Hot Girl Drinks,” and anything sparkling became a “Hot Girl Soda.” At first, it was just a fun little habit I created for myself. But over time, it became something deeper. Calling them “Hot Girl” drinks turned into a daily affirmation, a reminder that confidence starts from within and that if I believe I’m hot, I am hot. Around the same time, Nick and I were talking seriously about starting a business together in the wellness space. We explored a lot of different wellness products and business ideas, anything that aligned with health, confidence, and something we were truly passionate about building together. As the better-for-you soda category began to grow, I found myself asking Nick to take me to the store to buy my “hot girl sodas,” referring to the functional drinks already on the shelves. But every time, I noticed the same thing. No one was making a better-for-you soda with aloe vera, the ingredient I had personally fallen in love with. Then one night, while Nick was traveling through the Chicago airport and walking past rows of vending machines, he texted me and said, “What if there was a Hot Girl Soda vending machine?” That message sparked everything. We started imagining a giant pink vending machine filled with all the girly drinks girls love, and that is when it clicked. We did not need to create a vending machine. We needed to create the drink. From that moment on, we set out to build what we could not find, a better-for-you soda infused with aloe vera, made to support your glow, your confidence, and your hottest self. What started as kitchen experiments turned into years of formulation, taste testing, refining, and dreaming. Hot Girl Soda was built entirely in Southern California, the place I grew up, where I met Nick, where we fell in love, and where we spent countless hours turning an idea into a real brand. We are proud to create our drinks in our home state of California, the place that shaped our lifestyle, our wellness values, and our belief that taking care of yourself should still be fun. In March 2025, after years in the making, Hot Girl Soda officially launched. Today, Hot Girl Soda is more than just a drink. It is a ritual. A reminder. A confidence boost in a can. Our mission is simple, to help you feel like the hottest version of yourself from the inside out. Cheers, babe. And always remember… Yes, You’re Hot! Aarica Griner Co-Founder Hot Girl Soda