Meet Dianna Aguilar & Tanya Major | Co-founders of élevé sparkling water

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dianna Aguilar & Tanya Major and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dianna & Tanya, what is the most important factor behind your success?
Something we frequently reflect on is the fact that neither one of us could have started this company without the other. We are friends before business partners, and we lean on one another daily. Whether it’s to problem solve, bounce ideas around, celebrate small victories, or simply to release stress in a venting session, we know we have a built-in foundation of mutual trust that is paramount to our journey. Many entrepreneurs find success on their own, but for us, there’s no doubt that our partnership is the number one reason our brand continues to grow and thrive.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
We are proud to have created a sparkling water that stands out from the crowd. Many popular brands on the market include additives such as “natural flavors” (no one knows what that means), sweeteners, added juices or artificial coloring. These can all lead to a bitter aftertaste, not to mention higher carbonation levels which can cause uncomfortable bloating. A lot of people steer clear from sparkling water altogether because of these reasons. élevé on the other hand uses only organic flavors and zero sugar or sweeteners. We let the fruit and plant extracts speak for themselves. Our waters are also infused with adaptogens, which have long been used in traditional medicine to balance hormones and help with stress. With stunning colors from vegetable extracts, and lower carbonation for a delicate effervescence, élevé offers a nuanced, elevated refreshment for the ages.

It’s not been an easy journey, and we’ve hit MANY roadblocks. We often joke about how good our Ted talk will be one day with all of the obstacles we’ve faced. But the we’re highly aware of the fact that every difficulty leads to a deeper understanding about our product, our industry, and the tools necessary to operate an ever-evolving company. We have no choice but to face each challenge head on, and thank goodness we have each other to lean as needed.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
During the months of April through November, LACMA has outdoor jazz nights which is really nice to attend with friends. Highly recommend bringing a picnic basket, charcuterie, etc. Outdoor movies are always a good time – Hollywood Cemetery or Montalbán Theatre are a couple of staples. Restaurant list is extensive: Moonshadows, Malibu Farms, Nick & Stef’s, Pura Vita, Margot, Taylor’s, Oste on 3rd, Bulan Thai and SunCafe Organic to name a few!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Our parents are our #1 fans. Having their love and encouragement has always meant the world to us and we strive to make them proud. Our partners (Tanya’s husband, Dianna’s boyfriend) have also been instrumental in keeping us grounded when stress levels rise, or offering a helping hand when we need the extra support. Owning a business is like riding a never-ending roller coaster of ups and downs, and having the steady backbone of family and loved ones can be paramount to pushing through when things gets tough.

Website: elevewater.com

Instagram: @elevewater

Facebook: @elevewater

Image Credits
First main photo credit: Wes and Alex Photography