Finding Balance: Social Media, a Rising Following, and an Alcohol-Free Lifestyle
AN INTERVIEW WITH TORI STOBINSKI,
CONTENT CREATOR AND FACE OF THE BRAND MOCKTAIL GIRLIE
I’ve recently become friends with the kind soul Tori Stobinski, beautiful human (inside and out) and inspiring creator of Mocktail Girlie, a brand creating alcohol-free drinks. In today’s interview, Tori dives into how she got started with her large social media presence and alcohol-free lifestyle, combining the two into a successful career trajectory. As someone who is sober-curious, it’s amazing and inspiring to see this community growing so rapidly. Going out can still be fun, day time activities are brighter and clearer, and drinks can still be delicious and colorful, sans alcohol!
My hope in you reading this interview is to get curious about how you can balance a healthy relationship with social media (even with half a million TikTok followers), take a step back from alcohol, and even how to create an intentional lifestyle that is focused on wellness.
Ok, onto the interview!
Let’s hear from Tori on how she got started, how she stays creative, and so much more.
1. How did you get started in creating Mocktail Girlie as an identity?
I knew I always wanted to build a social media presence and brand, but wasn’t really sure what niche I wanted to go with. My husband and I had recently stopped drinking alcohol and I knew that could be something! I was creating mocktails for us to drink and thought that I should start sharing these on IG and TikTok and see if anyone else had some interest. So, I started to do some research into the mocktail space. I knew I had an opportunity to share recipes with easy and healthy ingredients and market myself that way! I wanted my brand to be something that anyone could utilize when they were searching for non-alcoholic drinks to eat. I had always referred to myself as a girlie (ice cream girlie, sports girlie) so I thought it would be the perfect brand to create. Call myself the Mocktail Girlie. The girlfriend you can count on to have all the delish recipes for any occasion.
2. What is your all-time favorite mocktail recipe?
My spicy margarita! I just absolutely love the kick of the jalapeño plus the freshness of the orange, lemon and lime juice. It’s one of my most popular recipes, too!
3. Where do you hope to take this brand in the future?
I would love to continue to grow the NA space with the following I have. Continue to show that there are so many options if you choose not to drink alcohol. I would love to create a mocktail book, too! How fun would that be? Keep it on your bar cart and have the recipes and beautiful pictures of my drinks. What a dream! I’d love to grow the Columbus NA community as well. Maybe one day open a mocktail speakeasy!
4. What dream brands do you hope to collaborate with?
Crate and Barrel: I just love their glassware and the aesthetic. I use their cocktail shaker and get questions about it every time I use it in a video.
Kroger: I’ve actually worked with them this year and it was a dream brand! We made a mocktail for the basketball tournament!
A dream collab would be to work with a local bar here in Columbus to make their NA menu!
5. Is there one piece of content that set your brand off to the races?
Yes! I created a video sharing that my husband and I decided to stop drinking alcohol because of a health scare and that I started creating mocktails! I woke up the next day after posting and it had reached 10k and had 5k followers, next day 50K views and 10k followers! So much engagement started to happen and from then on I posted my recipe videos that continued to gain the attention of thousands!
6. What is your biggest piece of advice for creating captivating content at this day and age?
Quick edits, music that fits the vibe, and be yourself!! If you try to be another content creator or influencer, it comes off unauthentic, and people can tell! Take time to research what others are doing for ideas, but make it your own. Quick edits keep the audience engaged.
7. How do you continue to successfully grow your brand?
Creating a content calendar. Going with the flow of trends. Constantly try to be the “first” to do something in your space!
8. What would you tell your younger self in regards to a relationship with social media?
How powerful it is and how impactful it’s going to be! To let yourself have your time to consume information and also know that you can really create something amazing with it as well!
9. What would you tell others about living a life without alcohol?
That you and your life doesn’t become boring! I would honestly say I have found more joy in my life! My plans don’t revolve around drinking and it’s given me a whole new outlook on all the activities and things I’ve always wanted to do. I have more energy and knowing I’m not going to wake up hungover on a Sunday is just the cherry on top. Your life doesn’t end because you make a lifestyle change like giving up alcohol, it’s just the beginning!
10. What is your biggest piece of advice for creating healthy boundaries with social media and a rising following?
Oooof this is a good question. I’d say I haven’t quite figured this out yet. Sometimes I obsess too much about how my content is performing or what people think and I find myself sitting on my phone for longer than I’d like. So I’m still trying to find the balance there. But I really do try my best to stay present and off my phone when I’m out with friends or family. That I am good at haha!
11. Where can people find your information, website, TikTok, IG, etc?
Website: Mocktailgirlie.com you can find all my websites and links plus information about the virtual classes I offer.
IG: @mocktailgirlie
TikTok: @mocktailgirlie
Pinterest: @mocktailgirlie
