Gratitude is a topic that often comes up when Thanksgiving rolls around, but it’s a worthwhile topic to talk about all year round. At OliKo, gratitude is a part of who we are rather than something we just conjure up during the holidays or whenever something good happens. Not only does it feel good to have a grateful outlook on life, but the benefits of gratitude are scientifically proven to affect everything from our relationships and stress levels to quality of sleep.

Since November is the season of gratitude, we want to share what we’re thankful for. From another successful farmer market season to testing new flavors and every win in between. 2021 has been a wild ride but one we’re grateful for and growing from. With another holiday season just around the corner, here are five spicy things we’re thankful for:

1. a successful rebrand

ICYMI: OliKo rebranded earlier this year. With help from talented designers and marketing experts, we completely overhauled our logo, bottle shape, cap, website, and even spiced up our product descriptions. This rebrand meant so much to us that we dedicated a whole blog to it 👉 Behind the Rebrand.

2. a growing team

Not only did we expand our retail locations and partnerships, but we also added new talent to our team. You’ve seen him at Farmers Markets, and now, he’s our Production Manager. Helping us hand brew and bottle fresh OliKo, Matt is our go-to guy when it comes to getting things done. If you follow us on social media then you’ve probably noticed all of the fresh content we’re filling your feeds with. Jenny helps us manage all online marketing, monthly newsletters, and is constantly creating spicy brand assets.

3. bold new flavor: blackberry mint

In July, we added a new flavor to our spicy lineup: Blackberry Mint. With its distinct taste and untamed flavor, Blackberry Mint has already become a fan-favorite. Bursting with sweet-tart flavors, this blend serves up all the good-for-you stuff your body craves and invites you to sip into bliss.

4. another successful market season

It was another successful farmer market season for us and we couldn’t be more pleased. Everybody was great—the customers, our fellow vendors, and market organizers. We tested a few new flavors like cultured strawberry ginger beer that was a smash hit, along with cultured pineapple ginger beer that people seemed to love. Whether you visited us at the Boulder Farmers Market, Longmont Farmers Market, or Union Station Farmers Market in Dever—thank you. We’re already looking forward to the 2022 markets!

5. last but not least: you

Whether you’re one of our retail partners or a fan of our cultured ginger beer, we couldn’t do this without you. There’s a quote by Mother Teresa, "Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless." While there are many ways this quote can be interpreted, here is our take on it: sometimes, we can forget how easy it is to make someone’s day. A simple “this stuff is good!” can have a lasting and meaningful impact on a small business like ours, and it creates an emotional connection we won’t soon forget. Thanks for staying spicy with us, shopping local, and supporting OliKo.

This Thanksgiving, we encourage you to make time and think of the little things in your life that you’re grateful for. Don’t let your thankfulness become passive, live it out. If someone brings a Thanksgiving dish, be sure to let them know how much you appreciate the time they took to prepare it. When the heater clicks on, remember that you live in a building that keeps you warm. If a family member starts to annoy you, be glad they are in your life in that very moment. In the end, there will always be difficult things going on in your life, but you will forever have more than you know to be thankful for.

From our table to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!