22nd Makes It Happen For Cane Brew
Founded in 2003 by close friends Steve Hicks and Paul Stewart, Southern Visions has always been passionate about sweet tea. In fact, the company started as a solution to inconsistent tea sweetening in restaurants.
​
The first product, Sweet Brew, combined tea and pure cane sugar into one convenient bag designed to be brewed in commercial tea equipment. While successful, it wasn’t a consumer-facing brand, and the team wanted to bring the experience into homes.
Adam Stewart, Paul’s son, played a key role in translating Sweet Brew for home use. “We wanted to make sweet tea simple for anyone to enjoy,” Adam explains. “No measuring sugar, no guessing on the water ratio—just one bag with pure cane sugar and tea, ready to brew. We wanted people to open the box and know it would taste great every time.”
​
Designed for convenience and simplicity, each bag of Cane Brew combines tea with pure cane sugar, ready to brew in ½-gallon or gallon servings—no measuring, no additives, no preservatives. The product launched with one goal: to make sweet tea easy for everyone. Since then, Cane Brew has expanded to grocery chains like Rouses, Piggly Wiggly, and Publix, selling more and more each year.
Making the switch to the right bank is worth it
As the business grew, Southern Visions needed a banking partner who could keep up. They originally worked with smaller banks, but after mergers and acquisitions, they found themselves dealing with out-of-state personnel who didn’t understand the company or its local community.
​
Their introduction to 22nd State Bank came through a mutual connection. “We were introduced to Preston and John during a project in Orange Beach,” Sandy Lamb, one of Southern Visions’ co-owners, recalls. “From that first meeting, they were professional, approachable, and understood our area and business needs. It was so easy to work with them that we moved all of our banking over.”​
​
​
The decision to switch wasn’t trivial. “Changing banks is a lot of work—there’s ACH payments, payroll, deposits—but the way 22nd State Bank handled it made it painless. They took the burden off of us and made sure everything continued smoothly.”
Personalized service that never stops
What Southern Visions values most is the personal attention and hands-on support from 22nd State Bank. “If I’m seeing an issue, Preston or someone from the bank will come in and walk through it with me,” Sandy says. “They get on my computer, help with the software, and make sure it’s resolved. They take care of everything we need.”
​
Even small issues with personal accounts or checks are handled with the same level of commitment. “We consider ourselves a high-maintenance client,” Sandy admits, “but they always rise to the occasion.”
​
Adam adds, “They’re hands-on in a way that makes a big difference. If there’s a glitch in the system or a tricky process, they’ll come in and work through it with us. They don’t just provide a service—they solve problems.”
​
Unlike larger institutions, 22nd State Bank remains local and approachable. “Preston and John actually know our business and our community,” Sandy explains. “They take the time to understand what we’re up against and find solutions, instead of forcing us into a box.”
​
Banking that gets your small business
Southern Visions’ operations are seasonal and inventory-heavy. A flexible line of credit is essential. Sandy says. “22nd State Bank gave us the resources to buy what we need, when we need it, and to keep everything moving.”
​
22nd State Bank has become more than a financial partner—they’re collaborators and cheerleaders. “We’ll have Preston or John visit, taste test, and give feedback on packaging or presentation,” Adam says. “They’re so invested that sometimes I joke they could sell it themselves.”
Communication is seamless, with multiple points of contact and quick responses, even during critical transitions like software updates. “During a recent change, I was talking to them multiple times a day for the first few weeks,” Sandy recalls. “Now, I can handle things independently, but I always know they’re just a call away.”
The right banking relationship powers growth
From early experiments to thousands of Cane Brew bags on store shelves, Southern Visions’ story is still growing. And together, Southern Visions and 22nd State Bank have turned hard work, innovation, and partnership into sweet success.
Whether you need general guidance or lending help, schedule an appointment today to see how 22nd State Bank can make it happen for your business.
