The entrepreneurial spirit in Austin, Texas remains undeterred even as the city continues to expand. One notable success story is a homegrown business, St. Cecilia Soda Company, which began its journey during the trying times of the pandemic. In a statement obtained by KXAN, co-owner Michelle Beebe recounted the company's modest beginnings: "First day we started making sodas in our kitchen."

This initial foray into soda-making, led by Michelle Beebe along with Tania DeGregorio and Kate McClennon, has blossomed into a flourishing business, concocting sparkling water flavors such as Sunsipper, Daytripper, and Revelation—each one with a distinctive taste that can either stand alone or be paired with other beverages. DeGregorio highlighted the community support in a Yahoo News interview, "It is so cool that so many local businesses and even the larger ones will give us a chance," while reflecting on the competition with industry giants.

Furthermore, St. Cecilia Soda Company is merely one among a raft of businesses prospering in Austin's conducive economic climate. "There have been about 5,000 business starts in Austin over this past year," Ed Latson, CEO of Opportunity Austin, told KXAN. He attributed this surge to the city's quality of life and the proximity to over 400,000 students educated within 100 miles of Austin amidst top-performing universities.

Latson also shed light on the broader industry trends in Austin, noting the growth within the Consumer Packaged Goods sector. During the interview with Yahoo News, he predicted, "I think there is going to be 200 CPG companies that start this year," referencing major success stories like Siete Foods, which Pepsi recently acquired for a substantial sum, demonstrating the potential for local ventures to ascend to significant economic heights.

As St. Cecilia plans to introduce new flavors in March, the rooted affection for the city among its founders remains a pillar of their progress. "Austin is home for me and I have a lot of love and respect for the authenticity and just the feeling of Austin," Beebe expressed to KXAN. The brand's expanding presence in various outlets is a testament to their success and the vibrant local economy supporting burgeoning enterprises.

For those interested in the journey of St. Cecilia Soda Company, further details can be found by clicking here. More information on the initiatives and contributions of Opportunity Austin can be accessed here.