Introducing Paulla McCarthy, an accomplished Black woman who has made history as the first to own and manage a spring water bottling facility in New York. As a dedicated nurse and a devoted single mother of three, McCarthy not only operates the water plant but also holds ownership of the land in Poestenkill, NY, where the spring water is sourced. Reflecting on her journey, McCarthy recounted raising an impressive $130,000 within a span of two days.Shortly following the acquisition of the plant, McCarthy faced a lucrative offer exceeding $20 million from a prominent water corporation seeking to purchase her property. Despite the substantial offer, McCarthy remains resolute in her decision to retain ownership, citing the significance of Black ownership in the realm of natural resources.
During an interview with EYL, the mother from Brooklyn shared that the inspiration to acquire a water plant stemmed from her decision to provide her twin boys with $1,600 to market water pallets bought from BJs during the pandemic. Operating under the business name The New York Water Boys, the boys initially sold water pallets on the streets, gradually expanding their reach to supermarkets, convenience stores, and offering home deliveries. Through a combination of informal marketing and targeted Facebook advertisements, the young entrepreneurs successfully secured a contract to supply water to 21 supermarkets, a significant achievement during the scarcity of water at that time.Paulla McCarthy took on the responsibility of financing and overseeing the venture, despite lacking prior experience in the industry. The business swiftly evolved into a locally acclaimed success narrative, yielding the twin brothers a substantial weekly revenue of a few thousand dollars.