Sir Gary Kong, a New York self-made real estate tycoon and philanthropist (https://globalherofoundation.org) is expanding his beverage businesses from wine, and beer to bottled water. This came about during a visit to Wausau Wisconsin where his beer is made. He took immediate liking to their water’s freshness and history in the making.
WASA (www.wasawater.com) is fresh and cool. The taste begins with the winter snows and the changing seasons of Wausau, Wisconsin. Nature simply makes great water here, and it’s the secret to more than 300 local breweries that have operated in the area for over 150 years.
We complete the water’s journey to you, purifying it five times while preserving its minerals and electrolytes. Nature meets technology at its best to bring you an exceptionally purified hydration experience.
Sir Gary will bring to fruition throughout the U.S. in 2024 their signature fresh tasting purified bottled water, WASA.
What inspired you to venture into the bottled water industry, particularly after establishing yourself in real estate and beverages like wine and beer?
It was during a visit to Wausau Wisconsin where my beer is brewed. I instantly fell in love with the fresh tasting water and later learned hundreds of beer bottlers felt the same way. An opportunity to bottle presented itself. I bought the factory next door, hired a team to build the line and marketing firm.
How do you envision WASA water standing out in a market that’s already filled with various bottled water brands?
A majority of the bottled water brands come to the U.S from abroad. WASA will be one of the few made in America brands.
Sino American Commerce Association Members Gala 9/2/22
Could you walk us through the process of bringing WASA water to consumers across the United States?
We will roll out WASA in 8oz, 12oz, 16.9oz & 1-liter bottles available both online and retail availability. Our marketing, direct to market event sponsorships and advertising will captivate entry level and affluent target audiences.
Sustainability is becoming increasingly important in the beverage industry. How does WASA water address environmental concerns, such as packaging and sourcing?
We are working closely with the department of agriculture to ensure WASA receives high ratings and permits to sell direct to consumer.
Given your philanthropic endeavors, are there any plans to incorporate social responsibility or community initiatives into the WASA water brand?
We will always donate WASA and our other brands to worthy causes to support and raise funding.
Haiti Presidential Candidate Jude Elie & Gary Kong taking final bows with Fashion Show Designer Helena
Your journey from Fujian, China, to becoming a renowned real estate mogul and philanthropist in the United States is truly remarkable. Could you share with us some pivotal moments or challenges you faced during this extraordinary journey?
During my journey the biggest obstacle I faced was learning the English language and to be proficient in negotiating my very first real estate transactions.
At just 16 years old, you made the bold decision to immigrate to the United States alone. What motivated you to pursue the American Dream, and how did you navigate the challenges of starting anew in a foreign country?
My journey consisted of first working my way up in the kitchens of the some of the fine dining establishments in New York. From there I begun learning the real estate game and applied my numerical skills to purchasing a single property each year.
As a self-made entrepreneur, you’ve achieved incredible success in real estate. What principles or values have guided you throughout your career, especially during times of adversity? What principals can you take from real estate into bottled water?
The skill set I learned which came easy was never giving up on my dream of being successful in the U.S.
Sir Gary Kong, Founder, The 1 Wine & Global Hero Foundation USA
What challenges do you anticipate facing as you expand the distribution of WASA water throughout the United States, and how do you plan to overcome them?
There are in our competitive set several existing bottle water brands. We are acquiring to take some market share and coexist with the established market brands.
Looking ahead, what are your long-term goals and aspirations for the WASA water brand?
Our goal for WASA is to one of the top 10 brands in three years after we roll out in 2024.
To know more about Sir Gary Kong WASA Water please visit https://wasawater.com
Images courtesy of Crios Photography, Sir Gary Kong.
