STORY
My name is Dr. Brian Kurkjian – I’ve been a follower of Christ since 2013, am married to my beautiful wife, Sam, have two gorgeous daughters, and currently reside in Gilberts, Illinois.
Working as a learning experience designer full-time – which is a fancy term for training developer, for those who aren’t familiar – I was always wanting to start a Christian-based business, creating training, including explainer and marketing videos for both Christian and secular (non-Christian) organizations. After doing just that, and launching Mustard Seed Story Design, LLC in 2018, I knew my reach for Christian influence could be much larger and have a greater impact. At that point, it was back to the drawing board.
It wasn’t until I bought a specific sparkling water beverage that the flow of ideas was rekindled in April of 2024. I looked at it wantingly and thought, “If they can do this with their brand and be so successful, why couldn’t I turn something like that into a Christian-themed brand, offering hope and spreading the gospel, all while satisfying the taste and thirst of my consumers through a functional and crisp-tasting sparkling water beverage?!”
This moment of revelation breathed new life into my aspirations, pushing me to create a brand that offers more than just refreshment but a sip of inspiration and a taste of faith – that’s how Gospel Springs, LLC., was born!
MISSION
We aim to glorify God through our functional beverages, helping to spread the gospel and Christ’s love through community engagement and constructive dialogue, while promoting wellness and faith in daily life.
VISION
We seek to become a beacon of hope and refreshment in the beverage industry and beyond, leading by example to show how business can be a powerful force for spreading the gospel and adhering to and promoting sound moral and ethical principles.
We envision a world where every consumer not only enjoys a refreshing drink but also hears the gospel, while keeping a clean conscience through purchasing a product they know aligns with the (biblical) values of their worldview.
BRAND ATTRIBUTES
1. We will embody a spirit of giving by committing 15% of our profits to Christian community support and charitable contributions (2 Corinthians 9:5-7).
2. We will focus on reaching out to all communities in a way that communicates and demonstrates our need for repentance and belief in Jesus Christ (Mark 16:15).
3. We will center our message around the concept of salvation, offering hope through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, in hope that those who hear the gospel will be saved (1 Corinthians 15:1-8).
4. We will encourage a culture of prayer to Jesus Christ within Gospel Springs and among our consumers (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
5. We will utilize our brand as a platform for spreading the gospel (Matthew 28:19), incorporating evangelistic messages in marketing materials and through partnerships with Christian organizations.
6. We will, above all, make love the foundation for our brand, by the bible's command to love one another as Christ has loved us (John 13:34).
PRODUCT DETAILS
- Functional Benefits: Each can is infused with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, enhancing wellness with every sip. We’ve chosen to sweeten our beverages naturally with agave nectar, known for its health benefits and deliciously smooth aftertaste.
- Initial Flavor Offerings: Launching with two crowd favorites, Lime and Berry, we capture the essence of freshness in every can. As our brand grows, we plan to introduce additional flavors like Citrus and Black Cherry, tailoring our offerings to consumer demand.
- Sustainable Packaging: Committed to environmental stewardship, our sparkling water is packaged in 16oz aluminum cans. This choice supports sustainability through recyclable materials, provides a longer shelf life, and ensures better sanitation than plastic alternatives.
- Calorie-Conscious: Each serving is designed to be 30 calories or less, perfect for health-conscious individuals looking for a guilt-free hydration option.
- Inspirational Messaging: Every flavor features a unique scriptural reference on the can, blending spiritual nourishment with physical refreshment. For instance, our Lime Everlasting flavor includes the verse: “Truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life.” – John 6:47.
- Future Expansions: Following market trends and as capital allows, we aim to expand our product line to include new flavors and venture into other types of beverages such as teas and more complex functional drinks, continuing to innovate and inspire.
FUNDING BREAKDOWN
1. Formulation Costs - $20,000
- Research and Development: Critical for creating a unique and viable product.
- Tasting Samples: Essential for perfecting flavor profiles.
- Nutrition Panel: For regulatory compliance and consumer information.
- Commercial Batching Sheets: Needed for production scalability.
- Supply Chain Details:
- Bottles, labels, caps, cans
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- Packaging Selection Process: To determine the best packaging solution.
- Ongoing Executive Consultation: Expert advice to guide product development.
- Co-packing Match: Partnering with a co-packer suited to our production needs.
2. Production/Co-packing - $15,000
- Materials and Production Costs:
- Raw materials, cans/bottles, labels, and shipping.
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- Production Labor Cost Breakdown (per unit):
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- Cans/Bottles: 20-30 cents
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3. Business Costs - $25,000
- Sales and Marketing: Strategies to promote and sell the product.
- Distribution: Logistics and distribution channels.
- Barcodes and Label Design: Necessary for retail and inventory management.
- Website and Ecommerce: Online presence and sales platform.
IMPACT STATEMENT
By supporting Gospel Springs, you're not just funding a beverage company; you're investing in a mission to weave the Gospel into the fabric of everyday life. Each can of our sparkling water isn't only crafted to hydrate but to inspire with carefully chosen scripture, promoting wellness and spiritual reflection. This Kickstarter campaign aims to expand our capacity to deliver these spiritually enriching and healthful beverages, using sustainable materials and ethical sourcing to reflect our stewardship of God’s creation.
Your contributions will directly support the initial production of two popular flavors, 'Lime' and 'Berry’, each designed to offer a moment of biblical reflection and physical nourishment. By establishing strong partnerships with Christian missions and local communities, we ensure that a portion of every sale supports initiatives that spread God’s word and love, enhancing Christ-centered education, health, and spiritual growth.
Through your support, we can expand our product line, reach more hearts, and deepen our impact, making every sip a testament to the Hope that is in us.
QUALIFICATIONS
Professional Background and Skillset:
- Expertise in Learning Experience Design: With years of experience crafting engaging eLearning solutions, I have honed my ability to communicate complex concepts in an accessible and engaging manner. This skill is directly transferable to developing and marketing educational content around the health benefits and unique qualities of our beverage products.
- Proficiency in Multimedia Tools: My proficiency in using tools like Articulate Storyline, Rise, and Vyond for creating dynamic content equips me to produce compelling marketing and educational videos for our beverages, enhancing brand visibility and consumer engagement.
Strategic Application in the Beverage Industry:
- Educational Marketing: Utilizing my background in educational technology, I can create innovative marketing strategies that educate consumers about the health benefits and ethical sourcing of our beverages, differentiating our brand in a competitive market.
- Engagement and Retention: My focus on learner engagement and retention translates into designing consumer experiences that increase brand loyalty and repeat purchases. By applying principles of instructional design, our marketing can maximize customer engagement and promote sustained interest in our products.
Addressing Industry Challenges:
- Navigating Market Competition: My experience in analyzing and responding to diverse learner needs and preferences enables me to tailor our products and marketing strategies to meet specific consumer segments, effectively positioning our brand in a crowded marketplace.
- Regulatory Compliance and Education: With a background in compliance training, I am well-equipped to navigate the regulatory landscape of the beverage industry, ensuring our products meet all health and safety standards while communicating these compliances clearly to consumers.
Future Vision:
- Innovation and Continuous Learning: Committed to continuous professional development, I stay abreast of the latest trends and technologies in both eLearning and beverage production. This proactive approach ensures our brand remains at the cutting edge, continually innovating and improving our offerings.
GENERAL MARKET ANALYSIS
- Market Size and Growth: The global sparkling water market was valued at USD 38.13 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 108.35 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 12.37% during the forecast period. This growth reflects the rising consumer preference for healthier alternatives to sugary sodas and artificially flavored drinks .
- Functional Water Segment: Within the broader category, the functional water market, which includes products enhanced with vitamins, minerals, and other health-promoting additives, is also experiencing robust growth. It is projected to grow from USD 13.80 billion in 2021 to USD 22.97 billion in 2028 at a CAGR of 7.55% .
- Consumer Preferences: Increasing health consciousness among consumers is a significant driver of this market. Functional beverages that offer specific health benefits, such as improved digestion, enhanced hydration, and added nutritional value, are particularly in demand. This trend is supported by the fact that 46% of consumers identified physical or mental wellness as one of their top priorities, influencing their purchasing decisions towards healthier beverage options (NIQ).
POTENTIAL SUCCESS FACTORS
- Health-Oriented Consumer Trends: Gospel Springs aligns well with the current consumer demand for health-oriented beverages. The inclusion of functional ingredients like vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants caters to consumers looking for beverages that offer more than hydration and taste. Functional beverages are expected to continue their growth in popularity, making this a promising market to tap into (Mordor Intel).
- Ethical and Sustainable Practices: There's a growing consumer preference for products that are not only good for their health but also good for the planet. Gospel Springs’s commitment to using sustainable packaging and ethically sourced ingredients aligns with this trend, which could enhance our brand loyalty and consumer trust (Mordor Intel).
- Niche Market Appeal: As a Christian-themed brand, our products can resonate deeply with consumers who seek to align their purchases with their moral and ethical values. This differentiation can help us establish a loyal customer base within this niche market (Mordor Intel) (Mordor Intel).
- Innovative and Personalized Offerings: By planning to expand into other popular flavors and potentially exploring personalization, we are tapping into key trends that appeal to a broader market. Innovation in flavors and personalization can help keep our product line fresh and engaging for consumers (NIQ).
RISKS AND CHALLENGES
- Market Competition: The beverage market is highly competitive with established giants like Coca-Cola and PepsiCo. Differentiating Gospel Springs in such a crowded space will require a unique and compelling value proposition that resonates with our target audience.
- Consumer Preferences: Adapting to and predicting changing consumer preferences is challenging. Our product's success depends on its acceptance by not only a niche market interested in Christian-themed products but also the broader health-conscious consumer base.
- Supply Chain Issues: Ensuring a consistent and reliable supply of high-quality, ethically sourced ingredients can be complex and costly. Disruptions in the supply chain could lead to production delays, increased costs, or inconsistencies in product quality.
- Regulatory Compliance: Beverages, especially those with functional claims (like added vitamins and antioxidants), face strict regulatory scrutiny regarding health claims, labeling, and safety. Navigating these regulations and maintaining compliance is crucial to avoid legal issues and build consumer trust.
Check out my LinkedIn profile and posts for additional info: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-kurkjian-edd-b6188417/