Five years ago, Bailey Hager and Holly Milicevic met when they were both hired individually to do a bride’s hair and makeup for the big day. Little did they know that this chance encounter would lead these two to become friends and future business partners. Hager and Milicevic never set out to become dirty sodas connoisseurs, but they both always held an entrepreneurial spirit.
Throughout their time getting hired for hair and makeup jobs, the two began to get hired for bartending jobs as a side gig. While working these events, the pair realized their ability to work really well together. After watching the show, “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” they realized they needed to bring the trend of dirty sodas to the St. Louis market. In February 2025, Dirty Pop was launched as a mobile trailer. Later this month, a brick-and-mortar location will open at 2917 Highway K in O’Fallon.
Despite the name, Dirty Pop sells more than just dirty sodas. Their menu also features a unique list of homemade popcorn creations, called loaded popcorn, and sweet treats like sugar cookies and brownies. While the business idea stemmed from Hager and Milicevic’s personal love for dirty sodas, they wanted to offer more to the menu, especially because the menu items were personal to them. As busy working moms, they feel that if they can find time in their hectic schedules to indulge in their favorite drink and snack, that was a little win in their day.
“We always envisioned creating some type of business where we could offer sugar-free, yummy drinks and sodas, and a snack that wasn’t so heavy. That we could offer to other moms and other people and customers that was similar to something we desired as moms and just in general consumers,” Bailey Hager said.
While some may advise not to go into business with a friend, the success of Dirty Pop is due to how Hager and Milicevic met. They began their relationship as a professional one that later turned into a friendship, but it was that professional relationship that bonded them and made it easier to be business partners later on.
“I think we both have a very unique friendship, that we have created this balance of being able to kind of turn on business and also have moments where we’re like, ‘OK, we’re done talking about business, let’s catch up on life.’ and I think being able to turn that switch on and off is really important,” Hager said.
Dirty Pop began as a simple mobile trailer. They installed a commercial fridge, flooring, stainless steel countertops, and of course personal decorations. In the early days, they would get called out to work events including wedding receptions, corporate parties, picnics and birthdays, among others. They attribute part of their success to the networking they did while they were hair and makeup artists.
“I think that through having really high quality, good products, through offering food and beverage, and then through our networking, we’ve been able to build a really good audience, and it’s helped us, you know, immensely with our success so far.” Hager said.
Despite competition, Hager and Milicevic stand strongly behind their products because they have carefully chosen ingredients to accommodate most food allergies, which is something they believe is unique to their business.
“We have taken all allergies, food sensitivities, dietary needs, into consideration when crafting this menu. We believe that is something that is so unique, that not very many places are doing. We’re doing it, in our opinion, very well, and we’re really putting so much thought into every ingredient, making sure it’s of the utmost quality,” Hager said.
This success has jolted the business to expand into a brick-and-mortar location opening on Nov. 21 from 3-9 p.m., with opening day details coming soon on their Instagram page. They will be serving up their full menu including their beverage menu, sweet treats, grab-and-go energy drinks, on a larger scale.