Oh, before we begin: This article is in English because that’s how I express myself best. But don’t worry, if you’d rather read it in French (or anything else), just copy-paste the text here for an instant translation. Voilà.

Hi. I’m Iris. 21, Brazilian-American, and what you're about to read might just get me fired. (Kidding)

For the next few paragraphs, I’ll let you peek behind the curtain of your favourite brand. No, I didn’t hack the blog. They actually asked me to write this. I know, risky. Giving the intern a platform? Bold. Reckless. And potentially regrettable. But before we get to that, let me break it down for you real quick.

Long story short, I’ve been here for six months, supporting marketing and sales before heading back to university for my final year. And honestly? Time has flown. And what better way to say goodbye if not by leaving a little piece of me behind while spilling the tea to you all about what goes on around here? (see what I did there 😉) So here it is. A little piece of me (and all of us) now that I’m officially part of the team, wrapped in stories, adventures, and constantly evolving social skills (I’m now 37% less awkward).

And if you’re expecting a story full of internship clichés, like fetching coffee, fixing the AC, and being called “Hey, you.” Sorry to disappoint. They actually call me by my name here. Well, most of the time. Otherwise, it’s Johnny, bro, my blood, Mimi, and the list continues. But we don’t have time to dwell on that. 

Day One: What Did I Get Myself Into?

Let’s rewind to day one.

I walked into an industrial-looking building, climbed one flight of stairs, and was hit with a surprisingly welcoming minty smell. I followed it to the Super Natural Club logo, took a deep breath, rang the bell at what seemed like the entrance to my new home for a little bit, and hoped I looked cooler than I felt.

Spoiler alert: I didn’t.

But there they were, smiling wide, exactly as I had imagined, a space full of energy, laughter, music, and a whole crew of people excited to get to know me.

Welcome letter on my first day :)

That very first day in a word? Immersive. They threw me into the deep end right away (but don’t worry, I was never left to sink). It all kicked off with a hands-on photoshoot (yep, that’s my hand on the left side of the picture below). I spent the day watching these new faces work, pose, laugh at each other, with each other, and somehow still manage to get things done all at once. It was playful, loud, and weirdly efficient. I’ll never forget when someone turned to me as I was zoning out in my thoughts and said:

“Iris is probably wondering where in the hell she landed”.

And I laughed. I kind of was. But somehow, I also knew I had landed in the right place.

First day & first photoshoot with the team!

Office Chronicles: So This Is Adulting, huh?

Routine. Routine. Routine.

Nope. Try again.

Sure, mornings start the same, but the rest of the day rarely follows script. A typical day? Coffee in hand. Managing socials. Creating juicy content. Planning exciting events with partners or manufacture visits. Answering your questions when you slide into our inbox. Helping the team to pack 100 boxes (yep, really, otherwise what are teams for). Listings. Preparing discovery boxes. Apologizing for flooding the bar after forgetting to shut the ice machine valve. (Still not my proudest moment). And, without a doubt, two impossible Would You Rather questions from William before lunch.

Somewhere in the middle of all that, music kicks in. But it’s a real gamble. Depends entirely on who declares themselves DJ. You could have some smooth Latin bangers, 90s Hip Hop classics, or BAAMM, full-blast techno at 9 AM (a.k.a. “The Great Headache I Didn’t Ask For”).

After ticking off the day’s to-dos, I dive headfirst into the content pool for each brand (as you probably know, we’ve got a lot of different ones). Why is it the first thing I do? Because Instagram is part of the daily routine for a beverage brand in 2025, and we make it a priority to share content that feels exciting and, most importantly, real. For us, “exciting” means capturing those genuine moments, juicy, cool, and full of life. We show the real stuff happening around us, always keeping it fresh and playful. And if inspiration ever runs dry, we take a break, wander around, and let ideas come from what’s happening right around us. After all, the office is right at the heart of the manufacture.

Production is right next door (seriously, we’re that close). It’s calm there. You mix, you brew, you wait. Then wait some more. There’s something weirdly poetic about giant mushroomy SCOBYs floating like aliens in big tanks, or herbs, quietly infusing in the corner. Sometimes for a few hours, sometimes for days. Nature’s on her own schedule. Downstairs, the bottling machine races through filling, capping, labeling, and boxing, and everyone’s silently making sure nothing explodes (Unfortunately, not a figure of speech. One of the machines actually exploded a few weeks ago. One guy shrugged and said, “Well…guess we’re finally getting a new one.” And everyone burst out laughing).

First picture of me for a social media post & Another of me messing around the production area.

Internship Highlights: The Good, The Bad, and The “Wait, What?”

Listings & Client Visits: Adventures Beyond the Spreadsheet

Ah, listings… a modern love story between me and Google Maps. Every other day, while out visiting clients, William, our head of sales and full-time supplier of dad jokes no one asked for, would casually ask me to find places in a specific region. “See what’s out there,” he’d say, which meant: discover spots with good energy, great people, who perhaps don’t even know our drinks exist.

My mission? To identify places that we feel might be interested in discovering our drinks and that likely share our philosophy of natural alternatives to nasty drinks. Each listing wasn’t simply a name on a file, but a potential collaboration we genuinely wanted to build. These guys are seriously passionate about spreading the word that soft drinks can be both natural and captivating, while challenging the status quo set by the big brand names.

Once a spot felt right, William would reach out. Sometimes it was a call, sometimes a discovery box with our drinks and always, a handwritten note. Not only because this is the level of care we put into everything we do, but also because it’s genuinely sincere.

Now, about those notes… At first, my handwriting was… well, let’s just say someone kindly asked if a toddler had helped. Which is fair. My handwriting is what happens when you grow up on iPads. But I persisted and eventually hit what I’d call a solid middle school level. Progress! And more importantly, those notes mattered. People noticed, replied, and appreciated them. It was a reminder that we don’t sell insurance; we sell food. 

When we weren’t behind a screen, we were hitting the road, some visits planned, others spontaneous. We met clients, explored their spaces, and imagined how our drinks would fit into their world. William’s a natural at this. 

We were an unlikely duo, he and I. He’s pushing 30; I’m barely 21. (Sorry, man, you don’t look it. Ish.) But we bonded over food, climbing, and telling jokes at deeply inappropriate times. Our road trips were part sales training, part stand-up comedy. 

Sales, I learned, is its own world. Research, prep, packaging, pitching, follow-up, it’s a lot of homework. But it’s also about connecting with people. People buy from people. And from William, I learned that to truly represent the products, you have to be the product. And when what you’re offering is something real, something you believe in, selling it to the right crowd? That’s one hell of a job. I can’t lie, some moments weren’t thrilling (cough Excel cough). But seeing how every small task moves the ship forward? That’s so motivating. And being a part of it? Even better.

Me and William on a sales trip ! 

Social Media & Ads: 101 Ways to Make Your Camera Roll Cry.

This is where I got to be chronically online. But instead of memes and reality TV updates, it was product shots, brand guidelines, and the occasional existential crisis over font choices. Who knew Arial could spark so much drama?

We brainstormed a lot, honest, organic sessions that often came out of nowhere but were always driven by curiosity and a desire to dive deeper. Ideas came easily, sparked by conversations, moments, or simply a good laugh. Then came the rest: content planning, caption writing, scheduling, campaign building... all the pieces that help shape what we share with you guys.

We don’t chase viral trends or big-budget ads. Our approach is different: we want to share the joy of what we’re building. The goal is to be real and share what feels true to us, hoping it resonates with others. It’s never just about the numbers; we do it to bring people along for the ride, showing them what we’re creating, how we’re growing, and why it matters. But of course, we keep an eye on the metrics, it’s part of making sure we can keep doing what we love. 

Weirdly, my favorite part of it all was writing captions. There’s something deeply satisfying about putting something a little unhinged out there and watching it go live. If you’ve ever laughed while scrolling... you’re welcome.

But I didn’t do this alone. I had the privilege of working with Marie, Head of Marketing, my mentor, and basically a human espresso shot who refuses to let silence exist for more than a second. But working with her never felt like a chore, more like being tossed into a creative playground, trusted to try things, mess up, laugh about it, and try again. It’s what made me love it so much. (Although, I’m pretty sure she secretly hates that I’m taller than her... or that standing next to me doesn’t exactly help her look her age. But, you didn’t hear it from me.)

Beyond all the scrolling, clicks, and comments… I realized something deeper: marketing is how we introduce ourselves before we ever land in someone’s fridge. It’s how we say, “Hey, this is us. This is what we care about. Come along for the ride.” Content gives us a voice. Ads help us share it far and wide. Together, they let us connect with people, build a community, and make sure our story, and our passion keeps on thriving. 

Brainstorming to making content outdoor ! 

Photoshoots: Picture Perfect Meets Mosquito Bites

Every photo or reel you’ve seen? Shot by us. Yep. 100% made in-house.

Not only because we LOVE doing it (and we really do), but also because we care deeply about how our world looks and feels. We want every visual to carry the same energy as our products: natural, intentional, and full of character. Each image had to speak, whether it was a mood, a moment, or a quiet scene, it needed to feel alive, like us.

Of course, there’s always the risk of realizing you’re not quite as photogenic as your mom said you were, but that’s okay.

We’d block off an afternoon, pack up props, and head out to places with great light, and a few too many hungry bugs. And along the way, we’ve accidentally shattered glasses from overly enthusiastic cheers, powered through stomach aches (too many drinks man), and, on one memorable shoot, I came home with two tick bites and a serious sunburn. Not all heroes wear capes.

We don’t over-plan. We organize what we need, show up with a vibe in mind, and let the rest unfold naturally, always with the goal of creating something that feels authentic. One of my favorite shoots was me and Victor, our photographer (and secret nightlife icon). No big crew, no pressure, but pure creative freedom and trusting the prep work we’d done. We walked away with some of our coolest shots yet. Proof that simplicity, when done with intention, can be powerful.

For us, photoshoots are where the brand steps off the shelf and into the world. They’re how we translate who we are into something you can see, feel, and connect with, long before you take that first sip.

And to any future intern reading this: yes, it’s every bit as fun as it looks. Make sure you bring good shoes. And for the love of God, don’t forget mosquito spray. Trust me.

Photoshoot for Super Maté

Tastings: The Only Time It’s Okay to Drink on the Job

Ever walked through a grocery store and avoided eye contact with the person handing out samples? Yeah, I’ve been that person now.

Tastings are basically mini sales shifts. You set up camp with a table full of drinks, put on your friendliest face, and try to get people to give them a shot. Most people say yes. Some say no. And a selected few act like you’re part of the décor. We don’t take it personally (anymore).

I didn’t do a ton, but enough to push me out of my comfort zone. It’s surprisingly rewarding, kind of like pretending your feet don’t hurt after six hours of standing.

Talking to strangers used to be a personal nightmare. But slowly, I got better. I stopped overthinking, learned how to start a conversation, how to pivot when someone wasn’t interested, and how to celebrate the little wins, like when someone takes a sip and immediately reaches for a bottle.

Tastings are often the first real chance for people to connect with the brand. A good product can speak for itself, but the way you make someone feel, even in a 30-second chat, is what sticks with them.

First tasting ever & Apéro Run in Lausanne

Zürich Road Trip: My First Voyage to Exhaustion

My first work trip!  I was excited,  a new city, a big street food festival, a chance to meet clients we never get to and finally see what all this content-making looks like out in the real world. I packed my bag thinking: “This is going to be insane”.

And it was. But also… wow.

Picture this. 32-degree heat, 12-hour shifts, shoes with regretfully thin soles, and my broken German (“zwei… kombucha… bitte?”). Add it all up and  you’ve got the recipe for a glazed-over intern running on smiles and caffeine. And at the end of the day, just when I thought I could collapse into bed, Marie and William hit me with: “Should we celebrate?”  I genuinely paused to make sure I wasn’t hallucinating.

But here’s the thing, somewhere between the exhaustion and the heatstroke, it was actually great. We swam in the lake, walked the city, and had amazing meals. The full postcard experience. The only downside? Sleep. Or the lack of it. To put it simply, some of us snore like it’s a competitive sport. I won’t name names… but you know who you are.

It was genuinely refreshing to spend time as a team outside the office. Even if the ride home was a word game marathon between William and Marie while I sat in the middle seat, questioning every decision that led me there. Still running on zero sleep. Thanks, guys.

But here’s the truth: I’d do it all again.

Because this trip reminded me that true growth doesn’t happen behind a screen. It happens out there, in the heat, in the hustle, in the conversations we didn’t plan for. You can plan all you want, but it’s only when you’re face-to-face with people that you actually learn something. It’s where you spot what others miss. It's where the dots connect, between marketing and sales, online presence and offline impact, words and actions.

On our way to Zürich and first swim after a long day

Articles: or How to Survive 45 Versions of The Same Paragraph 

When I hit pause on university, I thought I was done with writing. Turns out, writing only changed outfits, less academic, juicier, and way more fun to navigate, because I got to write it my way.

I never expected to be writing blog articles, let alone ones about big topics like alcohol-free apéros. (I spent way too much time on that for you not to go check it out: People Are Drinking Less, What’s Going On?).

The process sounds simple: pick a topic, draft a structure, get it approved, write the article…then brace yourself for feedback. Easy, right? Except… enter Romain. Our creative director, tone-of-voice mastermind, and part-time slang thief. Ever since I dropped “bussing” at lunch, everything has been bussing for him lately. Everything. 

What I mean is, Romain doesn’t exactly hand out green lights the way he hands out croissants on Friday mornings (which I do love). It’s more like cautious orange lights, served with a side of “There’s always room to push harder”. He doesn’t validate something just because it works; if it can be improved, he encourages us to take it further. It’s not about being tough for the sake of it, but about refusing to settle for “good enough”. Because we’re here to make work that actually means something. And if you’re stalling? He’ll let you know! 

“Bro, you were at 75% last time, now you’re at 95%, but I’m still missing the top of the pyramid,” he’d say, while I’d secretly daydream about a one-way ticket to Egypt. Joking. (Kind of.)

That constant push to strive for excellence improved me more than any school assignment I ever did. I learned to keep clarity, hook readers, and say a lot without saying too much.

But why do we do it? Don’t we have enough on our plates as it is? Nah, we keep the projects coming! Articles are how we share our take on the world. It’s our way to join in the conversation, give value back to you, while keeping things real and relatable enough for anyone reading it to enjoy. Plus, let me be honest, they’re so cool to write!  

What I Actually Learned from These Six Months

Turns out, quite a lot.

First, I learned how much the work environment can shape your entire experience. These six months flew by, and not once did I feel that classic Sunday night dread. That was a huge shift for me. Realizing that work doesn’t have to be something you survive. It can actually be something you look forward to.

I learned that pressure isn’t always the enemy, and that when things move fast (and here, they really do), things will go wrong, despite everyone’s best efforts. But the real lesson is knowing how to recover. You figure it out, you adapt, and you keep going. That’s how we roll baby !

I also learned that feeling overwhelmed isn’t a failure. It’s part of the process. It's actually part of the work culture here to speak up and be honest when that happens. And when the pressure started to build for me, saying it out loud was the best thing I could’ve done. I wasn’t met with judgment but with support. And a well-timed comfort snack.

I came in with curiosity. I’m leaving with sharper skills, better instincts, and a dangerously high caffeine tolerance… But more importantly, I’m leaving with a genuine appreciation for what it means to be part of a team that shows up, for the work, and for each other.

So, to whoever’s reading this, future intern, client, or curious passerby, I know you’ll get a taste of what makes this place so special. 

Thanks for reading. I’ll be back after graduation. Probably with better handwriting. No promises.