Meet Mehrnush Saadat, Esq. | Founder

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mehrnush Saadat, Esq. and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mehrnush, how did you come up with the idea for your business?

On New Year’s Eve 2023, inspiration struck in a bottle of Flora. My partner David and I had friends over on NYE, one of whom has been sober for 20+ years. She brought a bottle of Delta-8 Flora, an alcohol-free THC spirit, and I marveled at the beautiful, feminine bottle. I started thinking about the sober and sober curious movement, as well as my own lessening desire to consume alcohol and general preference towards THC products.

I thought about my circles and how more women were drinking less, sometimes preferring CBD/THC products over alcohol.  And while the product packaging is evolving and the marketing is slowly becoming more elevated for these types of products, the shopping experience is less than desirable.  Personally, every time I had ever entered a “smokeshop” or “headshop”, it felt so taboo and masculine – whether it was positioned to look like a sterile medical facility or a funky, hippie health food store. I wanted to create an environment that was different from any non alcoholic bottle shop or cannabis store that I have ever seen.

One of my personal objectives is to destigmatize cannabis use. I’ve gone to great lengths in our marketing to call Delta 8/9 what it is – cannabis. As more research has evolved around cannabis and its widespread health benefits, it should not be a word we whisper in private company, fearful of what others will think of our professionalism or our adulthood.

I hope that by elevating cannabis from our parents’ basement to our dinner tables and nightstands, we can continue to remove the negative associations and shame around its use as it becomes more commonplace in today’s world.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?

Soberish is a non alcoholic bottle shop and cannabis boutique located in the Kirkwood neighborhood of Atlanta, Georgia. I set out to create a shopping experience that was different from any other non alcoholic bottle shop or cannabis store I have ever seen. I knew that people needed a place to buy these products where they could be informed and educated while having an elevated shopping experience.

While building the Soberish brand and deciding to carry both non-alcoholic and cannabis products, I needed to marry these two worlds since this concept has never been done before. I thought of the name Soberish as a fun and lighthearted play on words, and born out of the concept that being “sober” has a personal meaning for each individual. While some people that identify as sober do not consume any kind of alcohol or drugs, there are a growing number of people that define sobriety as abstaining from alcohol but feeling comfortable with smoking a hemp joint, taking a CBD gummy at night to help promote sleep and relaxation, or maybe even having an edible for a bit of fun.

What sets Soberish apart is the sophistication of the boutique, the level of education our team imparts to our clients about every product we carry, and the fact that we carry literally something for everyone. I spent a lot of time researching the industry before opening Soberish and I did not find another store like it that combined non-alcoholic products and cannabis, let alone in an aesthetically pleasing environment.

Is this your first time starting a business?
Soberish is my fourth entrepreneurial venture and I took all the lessons from my past into this completely new arena of retail wonership. My prior experiences have helped Soberish be a smoother road in many regards, but there are always lessons to be learned from every new endeavor.  Business owners don’t get celebrated enough for creating innovative solutions, staying the course, sacrificing their personal needs and resources, and just being good business people that bring benefit to the community as a whole. In today’s world, there’s much more emphasis on marketing than on business acumen. Marketing is important, but that doesn’t that doesn’t always lead to the best outcome for the business, the employees, or the general community.  I think it’s important to share this thought with aspiring entrepreneurs on a path to building a meaningful and sustainable business.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Atlanta is filled with incredible restaurants and an ever changing landscape of places to explore.

As a proud Iranian, I almost always suggest a trip to Rumi’s Kitchen or Delbar.  The service and food are both exceptional at each eatery, and Delbar was recently acknowledged by the Michelin Guide.

I am a big fan of the Atlanta Opera and encourage people to attend when possible and support the arts.  There are a few productions each year and I have enjoyed every single time I have ever attended.  We have some pretty incredible sports teams here in Atlanta so taking in a Falcons, Hawks, Braves or United game is always a good idea.

And of course, walking the Beltline near Ponce City Market / Inman Park / Krog Street Market is a great way to take in the city and enjoy local restaurants and small businesses.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My partner, David Garrison is well deserving of a shout out.

He has been extremely supportive of my career(s) at every turn, including this new venture. He is always willing to jump in and helps as much as he can and is able, while tending to his own growing business as well.  His love and support mean the world to me.  Coming home to him and our dog, Sony, is the best part of my busy and chaotic day.

Website: www.besoberish.com

Instagram: besoberish

Linkedin: Mehrnush Saadat

Twitter: besoberish

Facebook: Soberish

Image Credits
Eric Sun Photography