S
ilk Road Soda Company was founded by Payam Fardanesh, an Iranian-
American who moved to the U.S. when he was 10. For years he used the
MBA he acquired at California State University, Sacramento working in
software sales for Fortune 100 companies including Intuit and Oracle. Then, six years
ago, he started a software consulting company, which he sold to Hill International.
"The proceeds have been used to capitalize the Silk Road Soda project," Fardanesh
says. He began developing the product in 2012, and bottles went on sale in March
2013. Today, Silk Road Soda Company has more than 300 customers.
THE PANEL
Reuben Canada
Canada Enterprises, LLC/
Jin+Ja
Brook Eddy
Bhatki Chai
Case Fischer
Fischer & Wieser
Specialty Foods, Inc.
PHOTOS:
INDIVIDUAL
PRODUCERS
THE STARTUP
Silk Road Soda Co.
Founder:
Payam Fardanesh
Product:
Silk Road sodas
Founded:
August 2012
Location:
Roseville, CA; product
bottled in Healdsburg,
CA
No. of Employees: 3
BY DENISE PURCELL AND SUSAN SEGREST
Payam Fardanesh (right) with Haley Glasco and Travis Ward
startup spotlight
Silk Road Soda Company
How do I keep momentum going for my
Persian-inspired specialty drinks?
156 ❘ SPECIALTY FOOD MAGAZINE specialtyfood.com
startupSpotlight_silkRoad_summer14.indd 156 6/5/14 1:03 PM