Community has always been a huge part of AuraFizz. I think community is such a big part of everything in society, and especially in a place like Grosse Pointe. All five of us grew up here and went to University Liggett School together, so this area really helped shape who we are today.
After Liggett, Ann Arbor also became a big community for John, Will, and I while we were at the University of Michigan. So between Grosse Pointe and Ann Arbor, we feel really connected to both places. Those communities have supported and shaped us, and we want AuraFizz to be a way to give back.
Because of that, we feel like it’s our duty to give back as much as we can. We don’t want AuraFizz to just be a drink people buy. We want it to be something that brings people together, teaches more about hydration and nutrition, and creates fun events that everyone can be part of.
One of the first things we did was create the Aura Community Initiative, which was our way of making AuraFizz bigger than the can. We started with a food donation drive for a church in Ann Arbor that helps serve people in need. We made an Amazon link where people could donate canned goods and extra food, and we ended up raising a lot of food for them. That was really meaningful for us, and it’s something we want to continue building through more philanthropy and community partnerships.
Now that AuraFizz is out, we’re focused on doing more locally. This Saturday, May 30, we’re collaborating with Fusion Integrated Training here in Grosse Pointe, where we’ll host a mini social event and serve AuraFizz to athletes after their workouts. That’s exactly the type of setting we imagined the drink fitting into: active people, community, and wellness.
We’re also working to partner with more local businesses in Grosse Pointe to create fun events people can enjoy. On June 20, we’re hosting a launch social at the Grosse Pointe Academy courts, which are run by Court 4. It’ll be free to come, and we’ll have AuraFizz, food, music, raffles, and pickleball.
Ultimately, we want to grow AuraFizz throughout Southeast Michigan and beyond, but we want to do it the right way: by starting local, giving back, building relationships, and creating experiences people remember. As Aura expands, we hope to continue giving back to every community we join.
“Grosse Pointe helped shape all five of us, and Ann Arbor became another important community for me, John, and Will. As AuraFizz grows, we want to keep giving back to the places that shaped us and eventually bring that same impact to every community Aura becomes part of.”
