How Shaking Things Up Can Lead to Building a Life You Never Expected
Ever dreamed about shaking things up and taking a leap into something totally different? That’s exactly what Rebecca Manno did when she left the comfort of her medical career in Baltimore and moved to the Virgin Islands—where she now balances life in healthcare and runs Tropless, a healthy cocktail mixer brand she built from the ground up.
In this episode of Tarin It Up, Rebecca shares her journey of launching a business in an entirely new industry (with zero food and beverage background), and what it really looks like to take a risk, embrace change, and build something that solves a real problem—like offering a low-sugar drink option that doesn’t sacrifice flavor.
🎧 Listen now:
From Concept to Cocktail Mixers
Tropless was born out of a desire for something healthier. Rebecca wanted a cocktail mixer that didn’t come loaded with sugar, artificial ingredients, or mystery preservatives. She saw a gap in the market, and instead of waiting for someone else to fill it, she asked: “Why couldn’t it be me?”
“We started from square one.” – Rebecca Manno
Rebecca talks candidly about the challenges she’s faced—figuring out branding, testing packaging (hello, resealable pouch!), understanding distribution in the Virgin Islands, and learning how to define her audience in an already saturated market.
Lessons in Entrepreneurship
Like many small business owners, Rebecca learned fast that trial and error is part of the process. From hiring experts to leaning into community support, she shares insights on what’s helped her navigate this massive career shift and why staying curious and open to change—at any age—is essential.
“You can’t please everybody.”
“It’s all about intentionality.”
Key Takeaways from This Episode
✅ You don’t need to stay in one lane—pivoting is powerful.
✅ TROPLESS was created to offer a better-for-you cocktail option.
✅ Product development is a journey, not a destination.
✅ Packaging matters (and yes, TROPLESS comes in a resealable pouch!).
✅ Know your audience—you can’t create for everyone.
✅ Distribution can be tough, especially in remote areas—but not impossible.
✅ Community is key in the small business world.
✅ Change is scary—but totally worth it.
Follow Along & Stay Connected
🍹 Follow Tropless on Instagram: @troplesscocktails
🎙️ Follow the podcast: @tarin.it.up.podcast
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