Founder Spotlight: Lindsey Fredrick of Tart
Meet Lindsey Fredrick
Lindsey Fredrick started drinking tart cherry for its anti-inflammatory and muscle recovery benefits and hated the taste, she told Beverage Industry, so she spent college mixing it with staples from her fridge until she had a version she wanted every day. That recipe is now Tart, a certified organic five-ingredient sparkling drink.
Company:
Tart
Tart is an organic, healthy lifestyle beverage based around tart cherry & mineral water. Only five ingredients. No natural flavors. No preservatives. No additives. Certified Organic. Woman Owned.
Location:
Clarkston, MI
When did you launch the business?
January 2026
Startup Stage?
Pre-seed
How did this business start?
Growing up with over 30 allergies and persistent gut health issues, I was constantly searching for healthy options that actually worked for my body. In January 2023, I started experimenting in my college kitchen, mixing tart cherry juice with fridge staples, and created something I truly loved. At Tart, our mission is simple: to craft beverages that are as good for your body as they are for your taste buds, because healthy should never mean boring.
What's one thing you're proudest of so far?
I'm most proud that the idea born in my college kitchen has turned into something people love to drink all over the country. I love to reflect on where I was when I started, and dream about where we'll be in the future.
What's been the most surprising or challenging part of building this business?
The biggest surprise so far has been realizing that building a consumer brand is mainly behind the scenes. Yes, you have marketing and sales, but the logistics, manufacturing, certifications, R&D, forecasting, all of it is so much more & truly builds the business into what the consumer sees on the shelf.
What do you bring to this community, and what are you hoping to find?
I love sharing what I learn along the way on all social platforms, but more recently Substack! I've been writing about how I got started, my mindset shift at launch, and where I see consumer brands trending. Also, I love to connect with others in the industry and help whenever I can. I'd love to expand my network and continue pushing one another forward.
What's something people would be surprised to learn about you?
Before launching Tart, I knew almost nothing about the beverage industry. Everything from formulation to manufacturing, retail, and distribution has been learned by asking questions, making mistakes, and figuring it out as I went.
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