DePaul Student Bottled His Own Drinks For Classmates. Now Hes Building An Agua Fresca Empire

Eddie Favela, a DePaul University finance student, has transitioned from hand-bottling agua frescas in his apartment to leading Vidagua, a beverage brand that has sold over 125,000 bottles across 12 states. Favela's journey began as a side hustle, inspired by family recipes and his Mexican heritage. Vidagua features three flavors—Mango Ginger, Jamaica Hibiscus, and Cucumber Lemon—crafted with natural ingredients that reflect traditional aguas frescas’ essence. His father's Mexican restaurant chain played a crucial role in proving the product's market viability by selling the drinks to positive reviews. Favela learned about scaling production and distribution through extensive research and vendor interviews, enabling him to expand the brand significantly.

With plans to graduate early, he intends to focus more on Vidagua's growth. He acknowledges the vital support from DePaul's entrepreneurial resources, which helped refine his business strategy. Favela aims to promote awareness of Mexican cuisine and culture through his products, finding fulfillment in his work.