Exclusive: CEO of seasn Emma Wykes Entered the Drinks Industry at 19 by Chance — and Hasn't Looked Back!

seasn, a new pair of cocktail bitters from the founder of Seedlip, Ben Branson, is perfect for the holidays!

It's safe to say Branson — who spent the past six years experimenting with over 80 herbs and spices to create these complex and flavorful bitters ideal for transforming alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks, tonic water or sodas, with just a few dashes — and his CEO Emma Wykes are happy it's finally here.

"seasn is the bitters category reimagined for the modern consumer. The rest of our category approaches bitters by creating multiple single flavors. Our approach is seasn LIGHT for light drinks, sparkling water, margaritas, martinis; and seasn DARK for dark drinks, old fashioneds, negronis, ginger ale, etc.," Wykes exclusively tells Morning Honey. "It’s really the salt and pepper for drinks, seasoning for all your favorite cocktails."

While concocting the perfect product, Wykes admits it was "quite challenging" to get it right.

"Premium, great tasting non-alcoholic liquids are very difficult to make. seasn has over six ingredients in both LIGHT and DARK and some very unique flavors such as cis 3 hexenol, which is an extract of mint," she notes.

But "the best part is seeing people’s reaction to how seasn LIGHT and DARK taste – they are truly mind blowing," she says, adding that she is most proud of seeing seasn disrupt "an age-old category with something new and fresh — our early adopters, such as Heston Blumenthal as well as all the world’s best bartenders, are all fans. Overall, I am so proud of our fantastic Pollen Projects team and how they execute."

As for how to incorporate seasn into one's routine, Wykes shares: "Start your day with a soda and seasn light! Three dashes elevates the drink and sets me up for the morning. For lunch, I might consider a non-alcoholic margarita with three dashes of LIGHT. Then try adding a few dashes of seasn DARK into a home-made Bolognese for dinner! It’s the perfect way to take seasn from day to night!"

Wykes had no idea she would become an entrepreneur, as she entered the drinks industry by chance when she was 19 years old — and she hasn't looked back since.

"I’ve always been drawn to entrepreneurial businesses and start-ups. My father created his own law firm when I was young, and I’ve definitely inherited my work ethic from him. I like the buzz, the fear, the excitement and the rewards of building things from the ground up," she notes.

Since the response to both seasn and Sylva has been "fantastic," she is excited about what's to come.

"I’m so proud of our liquids and innovation. I don’t know of any other non-alcoholic liquids that you can taste and enjoy neat. These liquids were roaming around Ben’s (Branson) brain pre Seedlip, so they’ve had a lot of thought put into them," she shares. "Pollen Projects is the world's first non-alcoholic venture studio. We have three initial brands that we are launching — 1. seasn launched a year ago 2. Sylva, a sipping non-alcoholic dark spirit, launches this week in the U.K. and later in the year in the U.S., and 3. a third brand will be unveiled in 2025."

"We are leading the second wave of the non-alc industry. Phase 1 was in 2016, when Seedlip was a pioneer in the non-alc industry. Phase 2, Pollen Projects, along with some other great brands leading us into the future of the non-alc industry," she adds. "I would like to see Pollen Projects as the most influential non-alcoholic business in the world, known for cutting-edge innovation and smart brand building."

After working for over 30 years, Wykes feels very "satisfied" with her achievements to date — and knows there's so much more for her to do.

"I like expanding my brain and learning more about the world, the people in it, and how to create brands that capture the imagination and taste buds of future generations," she states. "Be brave, curious and kind! Always be aware that there is more to learn. If something doesn’t feel right, don’t do it and speak up."