When Jesica Oliverio started experimenting with yerba maté in her kitchen during the pandemic, she wasn’t setting out to launch a beverage company — she was just looking for a calmer morning routine. But that spark of curiosity grew into Maté Party, a Portland-based brand now found on shelves across Oregon — including Whole Foods.
Through Xcelerate Women’s Business Advising and Peer Mentorship Groups, Jesica has built a foundation for sustainable growth — landing multiple distributors, refining her pitch, and navigating the logistics of scaling a small, bootstrapped business.
“With my Xcelerate coach, I landed distribution with Point Blank, opened new partnerships in Washington, and got accepted into Whole Foods’ Local and Emerging Accelerator Program, one of just 10 brands selected out of 1600 applicants! It completely changed my momentum.”
Jesica’s story shows what’s possible when women have access to expert guidance, community, and accountability — the kind that meets you where you are and grows with you.
What inspired you to start your own business?
I've always had an entrepreneurial spirit—I love a good challenge and figuring things out. During the pandemic, I needed a morning routine that didn’t leave me jittery like coffee does. Inspired by a cult-favorite sparkling yerba mate drink from Europe, I started experimenting in my kitchen and before I knew it, Maté Party was born!
What were some of your key goals that you worked with Xcelerate on this year?
A major goal this year was securing distribution with Point Blank Distributing, which happened in April 2024, and has significantly expanded my reach. My Xcelerate coach, Alison Sokol Blosser, guided me through the logistics and taught me how to build stronger distributor relationships. I'm still working on this and each session with her continues to level up my business.
How has your identity as a woman and any and all other intersectional identities impacted your business?
The beverage industry has long been a boys’ club, but that’s starting to change, especially here in Portland. Seeing so many womxn owned brands making waves is incredibly inspiring. Being part of that movement fuels me to keep breaking barriers and pushing forward.
“The beverage industry has long been a boys’ club, but that’s starting to change. Seeing so many women-owned brands making waves is incredibly inspiring.”
What were some of the challenges you faced this year and how did working with Xcelerate help you to overcome these challenges?
Scaling my business and securing distribution were big challenges this year. With support from Xcelerate, I learned the ins and outs of logistics and strategy. We worked a lot on making these transitions manageable while setting Maté Party up for sustainable growth.
Are there any wins or achievements you have celebrated this year while working with Xcelerate? For example - hiring new employees, paying yourself, quitting a day job, achieving profitability, opening a new location, increase in sales, launching a new product. Please be as specific as possible.
Absolutely! A major milestone this year was being chosen as 1 of 10 brands, out of 1,600 applicants, for Whole Foods’ Local and Emerging Accelerator Program (LEAP). With guidance from my Xcelerate coach, Alison Sokol Bloser, I refined my pitch and secured a spot in this game-changing opportunity. Her continued support helped me manage my business during the program and now we're gearing up to launch in Whole Foods this summer!
“Working with Xcelerate didn’t just grow my business — it grew my confidence as a business owner in the wild world of CPG.”
How do you personally define success for you and your business?
For me, success is all about balance. Feeling happy and fulfilled while making a living doing what I love. It’s about growing my business without sacrificing the time to enjoy life along the way. That’s the ultimate goal!
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your Xcelerate experience?
Working with Xcelerate has been a game-changer. The personalized guidance and support helped me manage challenges I didn’t even see coming. It’s not just my business that’s grown but my confidence as a founder in the wild world of CPG ☺
Jesica’s growth reflects what happens when women business owners get access to the right tools and community.
Your Give!Guide donation helps make that possible — fueling business advising, mentorship, and support for women building the future of Oregon’s economy.
The interview was originally published as part of Xcelerate Women’s 2024 Impact Report. Read the original interview →
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