The Unlikely Rise of Nick Caporella: From Coal-Town Roots to Beverage Empire

From Humble Beginnings to Entrepreneurial Grit

Nick A. Caporella was born on February 28, 1937, in Connellsville, Pennsylvania — a small coal-mining town where hard work was less a choice than a necessity. His father worked in the mines; his mother ran a modest dairy bar and sandwich shop. By age 11, young Caporella was already contributing: collecting scrap metal, reconditioning bicycles, and even running a hauling service for local farmers.

As a teenager, his family moved to Florida where, in his late teens and early 20s, Caporella took on manual labor — working as an oiler on a crane for just one dollar an hour. Rather than accept the status quo, he used a $250 down payment — all his savings — to buy a used excavator. That small gamble marked the birth of his first construction business. He operated the machinery day and night. When heavy rains threatened to derail the enterprise, Caporella secured a contract in Puerto Rico: a gutsy move that saved his fledgling firm. 

These early chapters forged Caporella’s character — relentless, resourceful, and far from deterred by hardship.

Building a Beverage Empire: From Shasta to LaCroix

Caporella’s pivot from construction to beverages—and eventually soft drinks—was both strategic and bold. In 1985, he founded National Beverage Corporation (NBC) as a defensive maneuver — to protect control of his then-telecom company.

That same year, NBC acquired Shasta Beverages for roughly US$40 million.  Over the next years, Caporella added Faygo, expanding NBC’s reach in regional soda markets.

But the real turning point came in the 1990s — when Caporella steered NBC to acquire LaCroix sparkling water (originally a lesser-known regional offering). Under his leadership, LaCroix was reimagined and repositioned to ride rising consumer demand for healthier, sugar-free beverages.

That move elevated NBC from a modest soda producer into a major force in the beverage industry — turning its founder into one of America’s self-made billionaires.

Wealth Realized — and Sometimes Shaken

According to Forbes, Caporella’s net worth stands at approximately US$3.6 billion. Much of that wealth derives from his controlling stake in National Beverage. 

Still, the fortune hasn’t always been smooth sailing. In 2019, when LaCroix’s popularity dipped and the company’s valuations slid, Caporella reportedly lost as much as US$2.7 billion — a vivid reminder of how tightly tied his personal wealth is to the brand’s fortunes.

Other estimates vary widely — one source pegged his wealth at as high as US$4 billion, underscoring how market swings and brand reputation continue to influence his net worth.

Life Beyond the Boardroom: Family, Privacy, and Perspective

Nick Caporella is known to be married and a father to children. Despite his wealth, he seems to prefer a low profile — focusing on business and family rather than public spotlight. 

His modest upbringing appears to have left a lasting imprint, grounding him even as he amassed significant wealth. According to one profile, he continues to pilote a private jet — not for luxury flamboyance, but practical mobility to attend meetings across the U.S., a habit already evident during early phases of building NBC.

What Nick Caporella’s Story Tells Us

Caporella’s journey captures the essence of the classic self-made American success story. From childhood hardship in a Pennsylvania mining town, through blue-collar labor and a risky initial business investment, he rose to transform the beverage industry. His decisions — acquiring and nurturing Shasta and Faygo, then rebranding and scaling LaCroix — display a founder’s rare mix of entrepreneurial instinct and long-term vision.

Yet his story is also a testament to volatility: fortunes rise and fall, even with decades of stewardship. The dramatic swing in net worth around 2019 reminds us that entrepreneurial success — even at the highest scale — remains subject to shifting markets, consumer tastes, and brand perception.

For writers, entrepreneurs, or dreamers, Caporella’s life offers a blueprint: grit, opportunism, and the courage to pivot. And even after decades, he remains hands-on, focused, and far from complacent.

Quick Facts at a Glance

• Full name: Nick A. Caporella

• Birthday / Birthdate / Age-birthdate reference: February 28, 1937

• Primary Role: Founder, Chairman & CEO of National Beverage Corporation

• Estimated Net Worth: Approximately US$3.6 billion (per Forbes)

• Family / Relationships: Married, with children; maintains privacy around personal life.