VBE Spotlight on: Body Water LLC

Body Water, LLC

Body Water, LLC was founded by Sherman Williams in 2015.

During his deployment, Sherman received the inspiration to create the healthiest beverage on the planet. This new beverage would change his life, and it would be called Body Aqua!

Enduring trials in deployment inspired Sherman to create Body Water that battles fatigue & is a better alternative to caffeinated products.  

Learn more by visiting their website: https://www.drinkbodyaqua.com

About the Business - Value & Honesty

What services do you provide?

"Wholesale of healthy water beverages."

Who are your primary customers?

"Women, Men, and teenagers between the ages: of 16-65, who make $20,000 to $250,000 annually, are concerned about health & fitness, are educated, live in the suburbs, and are single or have a family."

When and how did you start your business?

"'We started the process in 2003, regarding the research required to understand the unique requirements of the body, for optimal health.."

Business Growth Challenges - Growing Through Challenge and Change

What were some of the challenges in starting your business?

"The main challenge, was over coming monopolies, authorized by federal government, prohibiting my ability to market, sell and have a presence in neutral areas of business. This has made my ability to grow, extremely difficult with choices of either Coke or Pepsi products. I have a Veteran who created a product (Body Aqua) that isn't formulated like any other beverage to be diabetic-friendly and vegan-friendly."

What is the key to the success of your business?

"The leadership and values, instilled in me throughout my career, enabled me the will to say failure wasn't an option. This understanding of who I am changed my will to overcome so many added obstacles ingrained in being not just a disabled veteran, but a black American."

What lessons learned can you share with people to make their business succeed?

"Honestly, you must know your craft, and state why you are different, why you are unique, and why you are better. If you don't invest in your own business, then why should anyone else? If you doubt or have any second thoughts about what you believe, you shouldn't do it. Fear is a part of life, but questioning your own invention or service is another sign of saying you shouldn't move forward. Everyone isn't meant to own their own business, but to support someone else's dream."

What pitfalls should they avoid?

"Pitfalls, are like building blocks, so if you don't learn from negative and positive experiences encountered, you will never truly grow. Avoidance is truly a pipe dream, due to being able to understand your lane of business, which will handicap your ability to truly understand every aspect of your brand. A pitfall should be welcomed because if your able to climb out, you will be that much better."

What other information about you and your business would you like to share with the NaVOBA community?

"First of all, I want to thank NaVOBA, for not only supporting my business but adding another wrinkle of certifications to my portfolio. I've created the first ever cosmetic beverage line, fitness beverage line, kids aqua line, and well water line all being unique and healthy. The body aqua beverage line not only tastes amazing but is diabetic friendly, vegan friendly, collagen-producing, contains no sodium, no colors, and enables your body to produce electrolytes, not replace them. These aspects provide your body with what it needs to function efficiently on a daily basis."

Service information

Branch:

Army

Service Years:

1993-2017

Highest Rank Attained:

CPT / 03

Why did you join the military?

"I joined the military to find out who Sherman Williams really is, knowing I was meant for greatness since a little boy growing up in poverty."

Military Occupation:

"I started off as a 63B (Light-wheel mechanic) and attended OCS where I was a 90A (Logistical Officer)"

Biography/Fun Facts

Where do you see yourself in ten years?

"In 10 years I see myself making history, as the first disabled veteran to crack into the cosmetic world with a cosmetic beverage, disrupting the market of health, beauty and image. People might be interested in knowing how passionate I am with bringing real change, to America. We are here because of the sacrifices of our ancestors, who where either black, white or Indian. We are the nationalities who built America to be what it is today, not from immigration but slavery. Many hide from the fact that we have an ugly history, as American black isn't immigrant black, but always being mistaken as such. There is a stark difference, and many people don't want to address the ugly truth of our past, to heal and repair our future. I served my country to find myself, but in doing so I found another family who sacrificed everything for what many people take for granted today. What is a military discount, when non-americans gets a free meal, what is affordable housing? when veterans live on the street, and non-americans gets rent free accommodations. what is business support? when veterans gets loans, and non-americans receive grants and scholarships, but veterans get individual support and duked to think we matter. My goal is simple and that is to unite a country that is divided by politics, color, and monopolies keeping the American dream for those who didn't sacrifice anything to enjoy the fruits of those who served."