Meet USC alum Holly Paul, Co-Founder MIZO

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Tell us about your company:
MIZO makes bold, non-carbonated spiked juice pouches with 90% less sugar than leading flavored alcoholic drinks. No bubbles. Real fruit juice. No artificial flavor, sweeteners or dyes.
What inspired you to start your business?
A few years ago, I started experiencing chronic gut issues and was surprised to learn that carbonation was the main trigger. Turns out, that’s actually pretty common.

When we looked at the single-serve adult beverage aisle, almost everything was bubbly. And the few non-carbonated options were packed with sugar, high in calories, and honestly — they looked a little radioactive with all the artificial coloring.

That’s what inspired MIZO. We created a spiked juice pouch made with real fruit juice, no carbonation, and 90% less sugar than leading flavored adult beverages.
As a company, we’re committed to using no artificial flavors, no artificial sweeteners, and no artificial colors.

It’s been so fun leaning into nostalgia and building a social beverage brand that helps people create new nostalgic moments today.
What are your proudest achievements so far?
MIZO is now available in over 2,200 stores across the nation and our hard juice pouches are currently distributed in several major retailers like Walmart, Publix, Sam’s Club, Raley’s, and more.
What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs:
My advice is to take the leap, but take calculated risks.

Starting something new will always feel scary, and there’s never going to be a “perfect” time. But if you wait until everything feels certain, you’ll probably wait forever. The key is to move forward even when things feel uncomfortable, as long as you’ve done the work to understand the risks and back your decisions with real data, feedback, or experience.

I’m a big believer in betting on yourself, but also in making smart, informed bets. Build a strong foundation, test your ideas early, and be prepared to pivot. Every business starts as a risk someone was brave enough to take.
Please share a memory or thought about your alma mater:
One thing I’ve always loved about USC is the go-getter mentality. Everyone there has big dreams and isn’t afraid to chase them. That energy is contagious and it definitely stayed with me after graduation. Fight on!