With the help of Google, his parents' financial backing and a beverage development assist from Flavorman, 12-year-old Joey DiRocco of Dunstable, Mass., has developed Sparklytes, a line of flavored hydration beverages that prioritizes all-natural ingredients and sweeteners. This project was driven by DiRocco's passion for sports and his philanthropic spirit, says the beverage developer.
“I asked my parents how to create my own sports drink, and they told me to Google it, so I did, and the rest is history,” said DiRocco. “I wanted to help raise money for a nonprofit that supported me when I was in third grade, and now I’ll be able to do that through Sparklytes.”
DiRocco’s internet search led him and his parents to collaborate with the custom beverage development company Flavorman. Over several months, Flavorman’s Beverage Architects worked with DiRocco and his parents, Justin and Francesca Navarro, to develop Sparklytes. The formula includes coconut juice, lemon juice, monk fruit and other carefully selected components.
Sparklytes will be available in six flavors: peach mango, lemon-lime, blue raspberry, blueberry lemonade, cherry, and orange.
DiRocco hopes a successful venture will allow him to give back to Easterseals Massachusetts, a nonprofit providing essential services for adults and children with disabilities. Born with cortical visual impairment, congenital nystagmus and septo-optic dysplasia, DiRocco has difficulty seeing without his glasses. Easterseals Massachusetts helped him in third grade by providing assistive technology, including an iPad, text-to-speech software, and a scope to enhance his independence in reading and writing. Their support fueled his ambition to create Sparklytes.
Sparklytes’ brand mission is to encourage consumers to spread kindness, raise disability awareness, and promote a healthy lifestyle. Flavorman first partnered with DiRocco in 2023.
“At Flavorman, we spend every day being the steward of someone’s dream. It is such an awesome and fulfilling responsibility, and to have the opportunity to be that steward for someone like Joey is simply amazing. This is why we do what we do,” said Scott Weddle, CEO of Flavorman said in a release.
Justin and Francesca Navarro plan to scale up the Sparklytes recipes from Flavorman to commercial levels. With backgrounds in technology, they own Sparkworx, a business consultation company that will serve as the parent company of Sparklytes.
