| Tell us about your company: |
| Hyli is the first ever electrolyte and vitamin infused cocktail mixer drop, with 0 calories, 0 sugar, and all natural ingredients. Designed to replace sugary, hangover-inducing mixers, Hyli transforms any spirit into a clean, functional cocktail that supports your wellness goals – without sacrificing fun or flavor. Available in Margarita, Moscow Mule, and Espresso Martini, Hyli introduces long awaited hydration to your cocktail, so you never have to choose between going out and feeling good. Born from a desire for balance, Hyli was founded by two sisters who were tired of sacrificing their wellness goals for a night out. We wanted to enjoy fun cocktails without the usual trade-offs of sugar, calories, or feeling off-track the next day. So, we created a mixer that fits your lifestyle, not fights it! |
| What inspired you to start your business? |
| Navigating the drinking culture at a big party school was challenging for my sister and me. While we enjoyed an occasional cocktail, we were extremely health-conscious and spent too many nights staying in, convinced that every drink option would derail our wellness goals. I started adding electrolytes in my alcohol a few years back to mask the taste of plain liquor, while my sister used them to mitigate her brutal hangovers. Little did we know, we had created our secret weapon to preventing hangovers and replenishing our body on a night out. The only issue was trying to mix clumpy, messy powders while on-the-go, and the fact that these flavors were not meant to complement alcohol. So, we set out to create the perfect elixir. After years of research and development alongside food scientists, health coaches, and cocktail connoisseurs, the first electrolyte powered cocktail mixer drops were created. Hyli replaces the high calorie, sugar, and price of a bar-ordered cocktail with just 2-drops of our all-natural flavors, so you can enjoy cocktails without the consequences. |
| What are your proudest achievements so far? |
| In just six months, we brought on an incredible investor who is renowned across industries and genuinely believes in our mission. We’ve already teamed up with dream brands for pop-ups like GRIT boxing and The Shelf, started partnering with retailers we’ve always admired, and have so many exciting opportunities ahead. We’ve also been approached by major influencers and brands who are raving about Hyli and eager to collaborate—it’s surreal to see people we once looked up to now recognizing us. On top of that, we’ve received incredible feedback on our branding, packaging, and flavor profiles, which means the world after all the time and care we put into perfecting every detail. |
| What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs: |
| If I’ve learned anything from starting a company, it’s that everything takes time, and that’s okay! Building a business isn’t a straight path; it’s a series of small, consistent steps that, piece by piece, turn ideas into reality. It’s so important to be patient and to trust that things are unfolding the way they’re meant to, and not to put too much pressure on yourself to have it all figured out. The reality is, no one does, and everyone’s learning as they go. It is inevitable that there will be challenges, moments of doubt, and times when it feels extremely overwhelming. Especially without the structure of a 9-to-5, it can be hard to turn work off, but it’s so important to step away, take breaks, and give yourself space to recharge (easier said than done, and definitely something I’m still working on!) Celebrate the wins, even the little ones. Starting and building something from scratch is no small feat, and each milestone deserves recognition. Take it one step at a time, trust the process, and remember that everything happens for a reason. In the end, it always works out exactly the way it’s supposed to. |
| Please share a memory or thought about your alma mater: |
| In my second semester of senior year at USC, I took a Sales Mindset Entrepreneurship class, where I met our now incredible investor and partnered with a talented classmate and friend to build Hyli’s design and brand identity. A few months later, we brought that vision to life through a photoshoot in the Roski Art Studios, collaborating with USC film and photography students, Roski art students, and a diverse group of models from across campus. It was an incredible experience that marked one of Hyli’s first real creative milestones! |
Alumni Emporium 