When you think of Sasha Pieterse, the first image that likely comes to mind is her role as Alison DiLaurentis on the hit show Pretty Little Liars. But there’s much more to Sasha than her on-screen persona. Behind the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, Sasha has navigated a personal journey that has shaped her into the resilient, compassionate, and driven individual she is today—qualities that led her to become the CEO and co-founder of Hippie Water.

Sasha’s story is one of early success and rapid maturity. Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, she moved to the USA at 2 and began her acting career at the tender age of four. Growing up in the spotlight, Sasha matured faster than most of her peers, thriving in an environment that demanded more than what was expected of a typical child. By the time she landed her breakout role as Alison on Pretty Little Liars, Sasha’s star was already on the rise. The show’s success brought her immense visibility, but it also came with its own set of challenges.

At just 15, Sasha was diagnosed with epilepsy, a condition she kept largely hidden out of concern that it might affect her career opportunities. She faced another health battle with the onset of PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), a condition that went undiagnosed for years, leading to visible weight gain and a host of other issues. It wasn’t until 2017 that Sasha finally received a diagnosis, bringing clarity to the struggles she had endured in silence.

Through these challenges, one person who stood by Sasha’s side was Hudson Sheaffer, her now-husband and co-founder of Hippie Water. Hudson, who worked behind the scenes in the entertainment industry, witnessed Sasha’s struggles firsthand. Together, they found solace in the simple joys of life—camping, road trips, and raising their two Great Danes.

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A New Direction: Moving Away from Alcohol

In 2015, Sasha and Hudson connected with Taylor and Alex Sewell, who would later become co-founders of Hippie Water. Over the next six years, their friendship grew, marked by life events, parties, and shared experiences. Sasha even officiated Taylor and Alex’s wedding, and just a few weeks later, they all traveled to Ireland to witness Sasha and Hudson’s wedding in 2018. As life got hectic with moves and new responsibilities, the couples remained close, continuing to support each other through the ups and downs.

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By 2020, Sasha and Hudson had welcomed their son Hendrix into the world during the COVID-19 pandemic. As they adjusted to parenthood, the couple began rethinking their relationship with alcohol. For Sasha, the decision was rooted in her health. Alcohol disrupted her sleep, increased her risk of seizures, and added to her existing health complications.

Post-pregnancy, she was searching for something that wouldn’t run her down or impact her health as a new mom.

Taylor started exploring cannabis as a way of self-exploration and a tool for self-care. Once she saw the impacts it had on her emotional and mental health, she soon began using cannabis more frequently as an alcohol alternative. Alex’s journey was more personal—facing the reality of alcoholism, he made the courageous decision to set a new path for himself, a move that the entire team at Hippie Water admires. Hudson, now a father, was ready to give up alcohol in pursuit of better sleep and mental clarity. He had long struggled with energy issues and mild sleep apnea and was eager to be free of hangovers and migraines. Only after becoming a father did he consider cannabis as an alternative to alcohol.

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Creating What Was Missing: The creation of Hippie Water

Despite their shared desire to find alternatives to alcohol, the group was frustrated by the lack of quality options in the cannabis market that met their needs. They were looking for a product that delivered on three key points: quality taste with low sugar and low carb content. Consistency, reliable dosage that resulted in a predictable buzz and experience. And no danky taste or smell.

Over the years, the group enjoyed brainstorming business ideas, often poking holes in concepts and teasing out their potential. During one of these sessions, Alex pitched the idea of a water company to rival Liquid Death. The group loved the idea of making their mark on the NoLo (No- and Low-Alcohol) category and admired what Liquid Death had accomplished in just a few short years. What started as a casual exploration soon evolved into something much bigger when the team pivoted toward cannabis-infused beverages.

Initially, they focused on Marijuana-derived THC beverages, a market with significant potential. However, the logistical challenges of working with Marijuana-derived products, which are limited to specific states and restricted to instate sales, prompted them to reconsider. That’s when Hemp-derived THC emerged as a promising alternative. With her food law background, Taylor approached the shift with caution. At the time, in 2022, Hemp-derived THC was still a relatively new concept. After extensive research and due diligence, she was convinced by the data and safety profile provided by their sourcing partner, Vertosa.

With Taylor’s green light, the team made a confident leap into the Hemp-derived THC market. It was a bold move, but one they’re incredibly proud of today. This diverse team, with expertise spanning science, media, and business, has cultivated an incredible product that they now get to share with the world.

Hippie Water’s success wouldn’t have been possible without the belief and backing of their first investors. These early supporters saw the vision and execution of Sasha and Taylor, the leaders at the helm of Hippie Water, and chose to invest in their journey. Today, the company stands as a testament to their hard work, passion, and the courage to take that leap of faith.

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