Founder Spotlight: Aimee Alleman, '05 and Fresh Dripd
For Aimee Alleman ’05 (Faculty), founder of Fresh Dripd, inspiration struck abroad. After a trip to Japan, Aimee noticed how seamlessly people there enjoyed high-quality coffee on the go — and realized that in the U.S., we lacked that same convenience. That spark of curiosity brewed into a business idea that’s now redefining portable coffee for busy, sustainability-minded consumers.
What inspired you to start your venture, and what problem are you solving?
I was inspired to start my venture after visiting Japan and seeing how they enjoyed their coffee. I realized that here in America, we don’t have an easy, portable solution for taking the coffee we love with us. I wanted to bring the brilliant methods I saw in Japan to the U.S. market to solve this problem.
How did Wolf Pack LaunchU shape your journey as a founder?
LaunchU was instrumental in shaping my journey as a founder. The program kept pushing me to stay focused and move forward, and the mentorship I received, weekly check-ins, and guidance were critical in helping me progress quickly. Without that support, I wouldn’t have been able to get my business off the ground as quickly as I have.
What was the biggest challenge you faced during the program, and how did you overcome it?
The biggest challenge I faced was staying focused after a few meetings with coffee houses didn’t go as planned. I had initially thought about the product one way, but after talking to people with deep knowledge of coffee, I realized I needed to pivot and adjust my approach. That experience taught me the value of listening, learning, and being flexible.
Now that you’ve secured funding, what’s next?
With funding secured, the next step is launching sales. The funds will allow me to secure more product to sell and also to kick off a marketing campaign across social media to reach more customers.
What’s one piece of advice you would give to an aspiring LOYNO entrepreneur?
Use the resources available to you on campus. If you have an idea, talk to someone at the Center for Entrepreneurship and Community Development — they can help you fine-tune it and get it out into the world. Don’t try to do it alone; take advantage of the support around you.
Aimee’s win is especially meaningful: Fresh Dripd is the inaugural recipient of the Michelle Gauthier Prize for Emerging Food Entrepreneurs, an award that recognizes innovation in food and beverage. Her victory—and her dedication to sustainable, accessible coffee—sets a high bar for the future of Loyola’s food entrepreneurship community.
Mentor: Marigny deMauriac, deMauriac Certified Financial Planning