There is always a polished version of a brand story, and then there is the real version.
The real version of Vandra started with a lot of belief, a lot of trial and error, and a lot of lollipops being made in our kitchen.
One of the hardest parts in the beginning was finding a manufacturer who actually understood what we were trying to make. We were not just looking for someone to produce candy. We were trying to build a caffeine lollipop that felt elevated, aesthetic, and true to our vision. That turned out to be much harder than we expected.
A lot of manufacturers did not want to put caffeine into a lollipop at all. Others were too rigid, too technical, or limited in the shapes and flavors they could offer. Some just did not really get it.
Then we found Aviv.
Aviv immediately understood the idea and got excited about it in a way that gave us a whole new wave of momentum. That kind of belief means everything when you are building something from scratch.
From there, the process became incredibly hands-on. For months, we have been making hundreds of lollipops in our kitchen, testing, adjusting, refining, and having our friends try them.
Flavor became one of the biggest parts of that process. We cared deeply about getting it right because flavor is one of the first ways people connect with a product. We did not want anything boring or forgettable. We wanted flavors that felt elevated, refreshing, and expressive, which is how gin and tonic, mojito lime, and sour lychee came to life.
To us, this was always about more than making flavors we personally liked. It was about building a brand where people felt understood. Something portable, social, aesthetic, and exciting. Something that actually fit the lives of creatives, festival-goers, artists, and people constantly in motion.
So yes, the behind the scenes has been messy. It has been long nights, kitchen batches, constant tweaking, and a lot of trial and error.
But now, after all of that, we are finally proud of the lollipop we have created.