Nicola Stransky, 220Kombucha, UK

Q: When do you first discover kombucha?

I first discovered kombucha 4 years ago when I was working on the mines in Australia. The food they provided us with was terrible and caused a number of digestive issues for me. In my search for answers I listened to Sean Croxton’s podcast, Underground Wellness and heard about this amazing beverage called kombucha. I found a woman who was selling SCOBY’s near my parents house and I purchased one and began brewing in the archive room at work so I could drink it every day. There was a lot of interest in this beverage I was growing by my colleagues and I began talking about its benefits and giving it to the other staff. Needless to say they all loved it also.

Q: Why did you start your own kombucha company?

In my weeks off from mining work I lived in Bali, Indonesia. I had begun brewing up here also as I couldn’t bare going a week without my new favourite beverage. A few months later some great friends of mine opened a cafe and asked if I could begin to supply them with kombucha and the business grew from there. We are now expanding to the Middle East and UK from here which we are so excited about.

Q: What is your favorite flavor of kombucha? (a brand that is not your own)

I love Gypsy Elixirs Spiced Pineapple Kombucha from my hometown of Perth, Australia. They have great branding and they use medicinal herbs to give the kombucha additional benefits. 

Q: What is your former/current other life or career?

I have had a very colourful career path to get to where I am, I was a commercial cook while I was doing my first degree in Food Science and Technology, however upon completion of that I took a position in mining so I could fund my dream of importing furniture and homewares from India which I loved however working and travelling alone so much became challenging. I then began studying in my spare time on the mines and focused on Sustainability Management and Hydrogeology, both of which I have used in a very limited capacity. I am currently working for my family’s business where they make wind stable umbrellas and I am fostering collaborations with emerging Australian Indigenous artists to further their exposure internationally.

Q: What is a saying that you live by?

“If it was easy everyone would be doing it”