In this extensive interview, DANTONIC's founders and owners, Alesia Buonomo and Diego Yarsa, talk about the company's development, their plans to expand into international markets and share their perspectives on the future of innovative products in the powdered soft drink sector.
Melanie Bukstein
Marketing Director
Melanie:
Hello and thank you for your time! Let's start with this question: What does the word DANTONIC mean?
Alesia:
Hello! Although it might seem that the name refers to a Danish tonic, the story is actually different. Dante is my father's name — a great fan of refreshing drinks who was diagnosed with type II diabetes. We thought, why not create our own tonic without sugar or unhealthy additives? So, we turned the idea into action and developed a powdered tonic with a formula we could adjust to our needs.
Melanie:
Yes, family is always a great source of inspiration. It's a very moving story. But to carry out a project of this magnitude, wouldn't it be necessary to have in-depth knowledge of chemistry?
Alesia:
We graduated in law from the University of the Republic of Uruguay. In today's world, sometimes that's even more valuable than other knowledge. But seriously, we rely on the expertise of our Quality Director, Gerardo. He has worked for years in a senior position at the largest chemical company in Uruguay, and food chemistry is his specialty. Thanks to his experience, we were able to develop innovative formulas with high-quality standards.
Melanie:
How does DANTONIC differ from other powdered drinks?
Diego:
In its unique flavors, natural ingredients, and high solubility without residues. It contains no sugar and stands out for its vibrant and powerful brand identity.
Melanie:
And who are your buyers?
Diego:
Regarding consumer age, we have flavors aimed at children, such as cola, and others for teenagers and adults, featuring innovative and exotic options that offer an alternative to the traditional flavors that have become tiresome to the public.
Melanie:
Let's go back to the current news: Why did you decide to develop the business in Russia?
Alesia:
In Uruguay, we could say that we have accomplished all our planned goals. Now it is time to expand internationally. We are making good progress in Latin America, and we are also looking to the United States, Australia and Oceania. From a business perspective, the Russian market is very promising for our products. Understanding the market potential, we decided to expand our business in Russia, as we see a growing interest in sugar-free products with natural ingredients. This is a key market where demand for innovative and healthy beverages is increasing, and we are confident that our unique offerings will resonate with Russian consumers.
Melanie:
What do you expect from the Russian project?
Diego:
It is probably too early to talk about any specific figures, either in terms of sales or financial results. We are just getting started with the project. My focus is on establishing strong collaborative relationships with the Russian business. That is our main strategic goal for this year.
Alesia:
Personally, I dream of visiting Russia. I hope that the right opportunity will present itself.
Melanie:
How do you see yourselves in 10 years?
Alesia:
In 10 years, we will continue running a successful company with a global presence. And who knows—maybe we’ll be answering your questions about why we decided to sell our products to settlers on Mars. Innovation and expansion have no limits for us, and we are open to new frontiers.
Melanie:
You are successful people. Don't you plan on moving to the United States?
Alesia:
Good question. We are fine here. We value the peace and quiet.
Melanie:
Thank you and see you soon!
Alesia y Diego:
Melani, as always, a pleasure to talk to you, Ciao!
Are there any questions left? Feel free to ask them! dantonic@dantonic.com