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Category: Companies

Meet Our Members – JunMagnolia (LA)

Lawless Turner, JunMagnolia, New Orleans, LA Q: When did you first discover kombucha? A: I first discovered kombucha from my girlfriend when she would leave a half gallon of kombucha from a local brand in my refrigerator around 2016. During this time, I began a practice of meditation with healing being the main priority for […]


Friday, 1st July 2022

Lawless Turner, JunMagnolia, New Orleans, LA

Q: When did you first discover kombucha?

A: I first discovered kombucha from my girlfriend when she would leave a half gallon of kombucha from a local brand in my refrigerator around 2016. During this time, I began a practice of meditation with healing being the main priority for me. Drinking Kombucha became a form of personal cleansing. Then in 2018 I tried Jun for the first time and I was hooked! Today, I see drinking Jun and Kombucha alike as a fun pathway to sobriety and ultimately resilience.

Q: Why did you start your own kombucha company?

A: I started Jun Magnolia as a creative and therapeutic hobby for my own gut health, but also mental health. However, what started out as a creative outlet and therapeutic hobby turned into a business during summer 2020 while enduring a global pandemic. I was home and laid off from work, so I took time to explore flavor profiles I liked, created a logo, a packaging label , as well as hosting pop up shops at farmer’s Markets and festivals throughout New Orleans for over two years. I felt like it was the right time to start Jun Magnolia during the global pandemic because we all needed a little hope and healing, including myself. Drinking Jun Magnolia is a fun and natural way to heal our bodies and minds.

Q: What is your favorite flavor of kombucha? 

A: Kaldi Kombucha – its a brand from Guatemala that we tried at KombuchaKon22 and it won the Kombucha Kup award

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

A: I am a commercial realtor, specializing in Hospitality Sales

Q: What is a saying that you live by?

A: Bloom Where You Are…

Meet Our Members – Hooch Booch (CO)

Anna Zesbaugh, Hooch Booch, Denver, CO Q: When did you first discover kombucha? I can’t remember exactly but I think in High School. I had some stomach problems and turned to kombucha as a solution. I have been hooked ever since! Q: Why did you start your own kombucha company? My life led me to […]


Tuesday, 31st May 2022

Anna Zesbaugh, Hooch Booch, Denver, CO

Q: When did you first discover kombucha?

I can’t remember exactly but I think in High School. I had some stomach problems and turned to kombucha as a solution. I have been hooked ever since!

Q: Why did you start your own kombucha company?

My life led me to it. I got furloughed from my job when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. I was trying to figure out my next move. The name hit me: Hooch Booch. I saw a gap in the market and haven’t looked back.

Q: What is your favorite flavor of kombucha? 

Anything that our contract brewer, Rocky Mountain Cultures brews. 🙂

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

I am a hospitality professional by nature and by schooling. I absolutely love the industry. I also teach yoga which is an amazing side hustle but really keeps me sane day to day.

Q: What is a saying that you live by?

Trust The Process

 

Meet Our Members – Sunuva Booch (United Kingdom)

Kassidy Heath, Sunuva Booch, United Kingdom Q: When did you first discover kombucha? When I first discovered it in Boston in 2015, it wasn’t love at first sight…especially on a student’s budget! But a few months into 2020, I began to truly appreciate kombucha – it really helped reduce my alcohol intake during lockdown. Q: […]


Thursday, 19th May 2022

Kassidy Heath, Sunuva Booch, United Kingdom

Q: When did you first discover kombucha?

When I first discovered it in Boston in 2015, it wasn’t love at first sight…especially on a student’s budget! But a few months into 2020, I began to truly appreciate kombucha – it really helped reduce my alcohol intake during lockdown.

Q: Why did you start your own kombucha company?

I moved to the UK last year and was shocked to find that Kombucha was not as popular or available here as it is in the US. So I started brewing it for myself in my living room, with great results! My hobby grew and grew until I needed help drinking all the booch I was brewing. Now I’m preparing for a few food festivals this Summer, and am prepping samples for a few interested retailers…wish me luck!

Q: What is your favorite flavor of kombucha? 

Han’s Kombucha in Salt Lake City makes a really nice Grapefruit Rosemary. She’s very good at low sugar kombuchas!

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

I studied Biology at Northeastern University in Boston – now I sell science for a living at a Biotechnology startup based in Paris. Since I’m not hands-on with the science for my day job, it’s fun to be “in the lab” when I’m brewing kombucha! I think my Biology and Sales background really helps me feel confident about my kombucha.

Q: What is a saying that you live by?

I like what Arnold Schwarzenegger said in his speech at a graduation ceremony – “Self-made is a myth.”

There is no such thing as a self-made man or woman. We have all had help to get where we are today, and we will need help to go where we’re going next. Help one another! This is why I’m enjoying KBI very much. 🙂

 

Meet Our Members – Walker Brothers (TN)

Luke Walker, Walker Brothers, Nashville, TN   Q: When did you first discover kombucha? Sophomore year of high school my friend told me that his mom had found some type of mushroom tea at Whole Foods that gave you a strange buzz when you drank it. Naturally, I went to his house to try. I […]


Thursday, 19th May 2022

Luke Walker, Walker Brothers, Nashville, TN

 

Q: When did you first discover kombucha?

Sophomore year of high school my friend told me that his mom had found some type of mushroom tea at Whole Foods that gave you a strange buzz when you drank it. Naturally, I went to his house to try. I tasted my Aunt’s homemade kombucha shortly after this. I started drinking kombucha regularly a few years later after recognizing how helpful it was for balancing internal alkalinity and relieving acid reflux.

Q: Why did you start your own kombucha company?

I’m a big craft beer fan, but beer is often one of the reasons I struggle with acid reflux. I found myself drinking kombucha after beer to settle my stomach. One day I had a thought – “I wonder if I can brew an alcoholic kombucha that tastes similar to a wild sour beer.” I was already brewing kombucha at home at the time so I began experimenting with using wine/beer yeast strains with additional sugar to increase the ABV. Once the results started tasting good, I had a strong sense that this could be a worthy business venture. I’ve always been entrepreneurial but this was the first idea I had that wasn’t too niche or too difficult to scale.

At the time, I was already working as a sales rep for a national kombucha brand and my brother Sam was working as a portfolio manager at a beer distributorship. So, thankfully, we already had a great network of connections to aid us in the early stages of the business! From a mission standpoint – my brother and I wanted to bridge the gap between kombucha culture and craft beer culture (literally). Our hope is that our beverages can highlight the value of personal health and wellness within the beer world and emphasize the value craft, community, and transparency/generosity within the kombucha scene.

Q: What is your favorite flavor of kombucha? 

I’ve had Root Wild Kombucha’s “Grapefruit Shine” a few times and thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s super balanced and showcases mosaic hops in a beautiful way. I’m a sucker for dry hopped booch! I also love Katalyst Kombucha’s Jasmine kombucha.

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

Well, the coolest job I ever had was when I spent a summer working as an “Island Supervisor” on one of the Boston Harbor Islands. I lived out in a stone shack on the island 5 days a week with no electricity or plumbing. The work consisted of trail maintenance, porta-john cleaning, and supervising folks that came out to use the campsites on the island. It was so refreshing – spending almost all day outside, living simply, rising with the sun and going to bed just after sunset.

Q: What is a saying that you live by?

There is an Annie Dillard quote that I aspire to live by – “How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives. What we do with this hour, and that one, is what we are doing.” It’s a nice reminder to engage fully with life!

Meet Our Members – Laughing Gut (NY)

Adam Benziger, Laughing Gut, Newburgh, NY Q: When did you first discover kombucha? I have always been a fan of fermented foods and emerging beverages brands. I was having stomach problems and heard that Kombucha can help, so I bought a bottle and have been obsessed ever since. Q: Why did you start your own […]


Monday, 16th May 2022

Adam Benziger, Laughing Gut, Newburgh, NY

Q: When did you first discover kombucha?

I have always been a fan of fermented foods and emerging beverages brands. I was having stomach problems and heard that Kombucha can help, so I bought a bottle and have been obsessed ever since.

Q: Why did you start your own kombucha company?

I became interested in brewing beer, took courses in brewing science, home brewed, and did a few internships at craft breweries. As luck would have it, I found out I have an issue with digesting gluten – which was the cause of my recurrent stomach issues. I switched to brewing my own Kombucha – experimenting with different tea types and flavors. I shared my first brews with friends and family with positive feedback. With the help of my parents, we formed our company in 2018 and leased space in a shared commercial kitchen to produce and sell Laughing Gut throughout the Hudson Valley region in NY. This year, we moved into our own brewing facility with our taproom opening in July. We will be selling our flavors on tap in addition to loose leaf teas, plus hot and cold brew tea.

Q: What is your favorite flavor of kombucha? 

The Original GT’s Kombucha is my favorite since it has the tartness that is the signature taste of Kombucha and is very well balanced.

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

Hospitality major in college – worked in hotels, restaurants, and craft breweries.

Q: What is a saying that you live by?

Trust your gut

Meet Our Members – I’m Alive Kombucha (Korea)

Jin-su Hwang, I’m Alive Kombucha, Korea Q: When did you first discover kombucha? I discovered kombucha during my visit to Moscow, Russia in 2013. Q: Why did you start your own kombucha company? I wanted to start a company that could continually grow and I believed the food and beverage industry aligned well with that […]


Monday, 2nd May 2022

Jin-su Hwang, I’m Alive Kombucha, Korea

Q: When did you first discover kombucha?

I discovered kombucha during my visit to Moscow, Russia in 2013.

Q: Why did you start your own kombucha company?

I wanted to start a company that could continually grow and I believed the food and beverage industry aligned well with that goal. I was confident that a product that is genuine and has intrinsic value would be able to get through to the global market. I firmly believed that Kombucha harnessed this power and that led me to start this company.

Q: What is your favorite flavor of kombucha? 

Buchi’s Kombucha (US), Ginger Lemon flavor

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

I ran a semiconductor company.

Q: What is a saying that you live by?

Life Without Lies

Meet Our Members – Lupa’s Kitchen (GA)

Claire Irie, Lupa’s Kitchen, Doraville, GA Q: When did you first discover kombucha? I was introduced to kombucha through my mom & founder of Lupa’s Kombucha. She is one of the originals and started brewing back in the late 90’s when we lived in Jamaica, WI. Our current flavor profiles are heavily influenced by our […]


Monday, 2nd May 2022

Claire Irie, Lupa’s Kitchen, Doraville, GA

Q: When did you first discover kombucha?

I was introduced to kombucha through my mom & founder of Lupa’s Kombucha. She is one of the originals and started brewing back in the late 90’s when we lived in Jamaica, WI. Our current flavor profiles are heavily influenced by our Caribbean background. Passion Fruit, Hibiscus and Ginger Turmeric. Super smooth and refreshing!

Q: Why did you start your own kombucha company?

Lupa’s Kombucha is made up by first and second generation brewers. My mom Lupa had a passion to produce a product line based off of her life motto of THERAPY THROUGH FOOD and my drive came from the desire to turn my mom’s passion into a reality. There is something very special about her and I have always sensed that I was put on this earth to get her message out which is what I have been doing for almost 10 years now.

Q: What is your favorite flavor of kombucha? 

Jazz Juice by Big Easy. Sooooo good.

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

My background is a mixture of holistic modalities from massage therapy to property management. My life and careers have been about connecting with people which booch has been doing for over  2000 years!

Q: What is a saying that you live by?

Growing your business is similar to training for a huge event such as the Olympics . It will take and push you to levels unimaginable. It will break you. You will cry. You will wonder why in the world you are doing this however, you will  also find a great amount of joy & fulfillment in it so your mindset has to be on point! My favorite saying on the days I’m asking myself ‘How are we going to do this’? The answer  is simple: One foot in front of the other.

Meet Our Members – Creature Craft Soda (MO)

Kimberly Welch, Creature Craft Soda, Joplin, MO   Q: When did you first discover kombucha? Just a few years ago, my husband came home one day and said, “Hey, have you heard of this kombucha stuff? I’m gonna grow a SCOBY so we can make it at home.” I busted up laughing because I had […]


Thursday, 24th February 2022

Kimberly Welch, Creature Craft Soda, Joplin, MO

 

Q: When did you first discover kombucha?

Just a few years ago, my husband came home one day and said, “Hey, have you heard of this kombucha stuff? I’m gonna grow a SCOBY so we can make it at home.” I busted up laughing because I had told him about kombucha years before that! And then we started home brewing and fell even deeper into the world of fermentation.

Q: Why did you start your own kombucha company?

I just fell in love with the process and had already been planning on starting a local small business and it just fit! Through playing with fermentation at home and making new discoveries, I knew I was onto something special. We aren’t even selling yet and are starting to gain a following as we complete renovations on our commercial kitchen.

Q: What is your favorite flavor of kombucha? 

I really love Buchi! My favorite by far but they do not sell in my area yet so when I do purchase locally, it is usually GT’s.

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

I do still have a day job to support my family – I am a Software Engineer focused on e-commerce and user interface development in the Theme park and Attraction industry. I look forward to the day when this business can support our family and I can do our brewing business full time!

Q: What is a saying that you live by?

Do more of what you love. –
It’s really as simple as that. No explanation needed.

Meet Our Members – Bulles d’Opale (France)

Anne Savignard, Bulles d’Opale, France Q: When did you first discover kombucha? In 2019, after a training in the beer industry, I turned to traditional fermented plant-based drinks, and one thing leading to another, I discovered Kombucha. Enjoying tea and its health benefits, fascinated by the symbiotic blend of yeast and bacteria, I started to […]


Thursday, 24th February 2022

Anne Savignard, Bulles d’Opale, France

Q: When did you first discover kombucha?

In 2019, after a training in the beer industry, I turned to traditional fermented plant-based drinks, and one thing leading to another, I discovered Kombucha. Enjoying tea and its health benefits, fascinated by the symbiotic blend of yeast and bacteria, I started to learn making Kombucha in my kitchen and blending different ingredients – as most of us do – before deciding to make it an exciting adventure.

Q: Why did you start your own kombucha company?

Trained as a process engineer, at the dawn of my 50th birthday, I decided to change my life and create my own craft business. Indeed, after working in the food industry for several years, I strongly felt the need to manufacture and market healthy products, in accordance with my desires and values. My aim was to come up with a pleasant and healthy drink : do good to the body and taste buds . After much research and experimentations at home, I was fascinated by the concepts of fermentation and the use of tea / herbs in a wellness perspective.

Q: What is your favorite flavor of kombucha? 

Mint & Ginger – strongly refreshing or simply a green tea with a hint of oolong – Brands that are not mine and that I appreciate: Lökki or Jubiles for the values that these two brands defend and the taste quality of their products.

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

After studying process engineering, I worked in the industrial sector for 10 years, with a spell in the United States; then I learned to be a winegrower in the south of France. Back in my native region, the Hauts de France, I became a Quality & CSR manager for Food industries. When the company I had been working for 11 years was sold, I started to question myself. In my fifties, a new challenge emerged: entrepreneurship. I then launched the creation of my Kombucha microbrewery – Bulles d’Opale, echoing the Opal Coast where I live with my family. I have also maintained – for the moment – a consulting business to bring my experience to small businesses.

Q: What is a saying that you live by?

Follies are the only things you never regret – Oscar Wilde

 

 

 

 

Meet Our Members – SCULL Kombucha (Australia)

Damian Foo, Scull, Australia Q: When did you first discover kombucha? Back in 2014 when I was immersing myself in the art of tea. Part of this process was building a mini library of tea books where I first stumbled on kombucha in several of these books. Hopped online and found a lady that lived […]


Thursday, 20th January 2022

Damian Foo, Scull, Australia

Q: When did you first discover kombucha?

Back in 2014 when I was immersing myself in the art of tea. Part of this process was building a mini library of tea books where I first stumbled on kombucha in several of these books. Hopped online and found a lady that lived a few streets away from me. Swapped a jar of homemade strawberry jam for my first SCOBY and away I went!

Q: Why did you start your own kombucha company?

It was always a goal of mine since 2014 to do it. As soon as I completed my first brew and had a sip and was blown away with the taste, I knew I had to be able to share it with more people. Back then kombucha was next to non-existent in Australia which I thought was a shame. Life and my previous job kept me busy back then. So it wasn’t until early 2018 that I started brewing kombucha commercially.

Q: What is your favorite flavor of kombucha? 

GT’s Trilogy. Every time I am popping over to the US, I make sure I grab a bottle. I think its the perfect synergy of spice, tang and fruitiness.

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

Something not too far removed from brewing kombucha actually. I used to brew vinegar commercially. My experience in this has helped immensely setting up our taproom and commercial brewery.

Q: What is a saying that you live by?

“Today you, Tomorrow Me.” It epitomizes my approach to all things. Reminds me to stay humble and things can change in an instant. But there is also a certain optimism there.

 

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Recent Posts

  • Meet Our Members – JunMagnolia (LA)
  • Meet Our Members – Hooch Booch (CO)
  • Meet Our Members – Sunuva Booch (United Kingdom)
  • Meet Our Members – Walker Brothers (TN)
  • Meet Our Members - Laughing Gut (NY)

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