Beyond Bank Walls: How Community Futures North Okanagan helped fuel Somm Zero’s success

Uniting three Okanagan-based sommeliers who are driven to bring better alcohol-free beverages to the table, Somm Zero offers a carefully curated selection of wines, spirits and beers from around the world.

Inspired by the sober journeys of friends and family, yet dismayed at the lack of quality choices, Bobby Faurot, John Glenn & Alex Viol began a fruitful tasting mission to seek and showcase the best non-alcohol options in the market.

Somm Zero founders (L-R) Alex Viol, Bobby Faurot & John Glenn.

“There’s a huge part of the community that was being left out and overlooked,” says Alex, “As sommeliers, we strive to offer inclusive hospitality and real choices for everybody, regardless of alcohol preference.”

Initially, Somm Zero approached three major financial institutions for financial assistance with starting this business.

Unfortunately, at that stage of their business journey, larger financial institutions were unable to provide support. However, friends suggested reaching out to Community Futures North Okanagan as a potential lender for local startups.

“They really saw the potential in us and what we’re trying to do—and we’re so appreciative,” says Bobby.

The rest, as the saying goes, is history: Somm Zero are currently on track to at double, possibly triple their revenue year-over-year from 2024 to 2025.

Today, Somm Zero’s online store offers a collection of the highest quality wine, beer and spirits, none of which include alcohol, yet all of which deliver on taste and experience.

“We are on track to possibly even reach $1 million in revenue by year-end,” said Viol of Somm Zero’s expanding business and customer base.

As their business continues to expand across the country, Somm Zero now supplies non-alcoholic products to businesses in Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia. The company also continues to ship directly to consumers in many more locations nationwide.

Given Somm Zero’s experience, it might not surprise you that our goal at Community Futures North Okanagan (CFNO) is to be community minded lenders and offer flexible lending options and business advisory services.

And we’re proud that our business loans cover most business-related expenses, such as start-up capital, seasonal requirements or expansion, to help new businesses get the solid start they need for success.

Interested in learning more about business loans through Community Futures North Okanagan? Book an appointment with one of our Business Advisors here and learn more on our website here.