Category: Companies

Meet Our Members – Bada Booch (CO)

Sarah Nicole Wood, Bada Booch, Grand Junction, CO   Q: When did you first discover kombucha? I’ve dealt with digestive issues most of my life. Fermented foods weren’t exactly part of the Midwest diet I grew up with. A few years ago after trying an “Invigorated Immune” by Shanti Elixirs while at Bim Beri Bon […]

Thursday, 2nd September 2021

Sarah Nicole Wood, Bada Booch, Grand Junction, CO

 

Q: When did you first discover kombucha?

I’ve dealt with digestive issues most of my life. Fermented foods weren’t exactly part of the Midwest diet I grew up with. A few years ago after trying an “Invigorated Immune” by Shanti Elixirs while at Bim Beri Bon in NC, I left wanting an IV that ran into my mouth on demand. The positive effects on my system seemed immediate. More, please!

Q: Why did you start your own kombucha company?

I started brewing at home like most of us do. Well, 1 batch, turned into 5 batches, turned into a business loan and a small facility here in Grand Junction, CO. Sometimes we say the batches have a mind of their own…and well I think mine were quite ambitious. So I went with it, researched the market here, connected with brewers through KBI, and got to work. It is important to me to contribute to the community in which I live and operate a positive, values-based business model. I wasn’t interested in compromising anything for profit. Simple as that. Make a great product that helps cultivate a healthy community one gut at a time.

Q: What is your favorite flavor of kombucha? 

I reach most often for Island Hopper by Better Booch at the store, I mountain bike and love to toss a can in my pack to have trailside on long mountain rides. An extremely close second is anything on tap by Wild Bloom in Moab, UT. And of course, when Shanti starts to distribute out here, her Tulsi Rose is simply the best.

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

Weeeellllll, I’m on Chapter 6. I have worked in many industries throughout my career across the US. From former business owner and talent manager in the music industry in Nashville, TN, to Executive Director of a Mountaineering Museum and Adventure Film Festival here in Colorado, to VP of Operations at a cycling component manufacturer in Asheville, NC, and a couple of things in between. This is my third business. I go hard, am endlessly curious, and want multiple lives to live. So I’m just doing my thing and trying to fit in as many experiences between now and the end.

Q: What is a saying that you live by?

“Full throttle or don’t bother.” – Marti in Paradox Valley, “A steady knock breaks the rock.” – Grandpa Wood

Meet Our Members – The Kombucha Lady (MD)

Liz Dodson, The Kombucha Lady, Rocky Ridge, MD Q: When did you first discover kombucha? In researching natural alternatives to Big Pharma drugs for IBS I read about the gut benefits of kombucha online and immediately was curious as to how this crazy sounding beverage tasted and how it would benefit my gut health. Tasted […]

Thursday, 26th August 2021

Liz Dodson, The Kombucha Lady, Rocky Ridge, MD

Q: When did you first discover kombucha?

In researching natural alternatives to Big Pharma drugs for IBS I read about the gut benefits of kombucha online and immediately was curious as to how this crazy sounding beverage tasted and how it would benefit my gut health. Tasted and loved and it has been part of my life since.

Q: Why did you start your own kombucha company?

To spread the love and tasty benefits of kombucha and teach others about the importance of gut health! And I had desired to have my own unique and artisan business for many years. So after filling up the counters with all my experimental batches for friends and family, I really wanted to branch out to the farmers markets in my town, so I made that terrifying call to the local health department, and boom! it wasn’t as hard as I thought!

Q: What is your favorite flavor of kombucha? 

GTs Classic multi-green was love at first sip.

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

Educated at the University of MD in Horticulture. Worked as a Floral designer for many years, raised some awesome boys while my husband and I built up this amazing homestead mini farm where I grow most of the herbs and some of the fruits we use in our booch.

Q: What is a saying that you live by?

Deeds of kindness and love are never ever wasted.

Meet Our Members – Happy Leaf Kombucha (CO)

Jennifer Lyons, Happy Leaf Kombucha, Lakewood, CO Q: When did you first discover kombucha? It popped up in my local natural foods market when I was living in Minnesota over 15 years ago. I loved it right away, and was glad for another beverage that made me feel great other than the daily apple cider […]

Thursday, 12th August 2021

Jennifer Lyons, Happy Leaf Kombucha, Lakewood, CO

Q: When did you first discover kombucha?

It popped up in my local natural foods market when I was living in Minnesota over 15 years ago. I loved it right away, and was glad for another beverage that made me feel great other than the daily apple cider vinegar shots.

Q: Why did you start your own kombucha company?

Starting a kombucha company was born from a friend gifting a SCOBY and reigniting how much I love this ancient drink. We started with the grand plan to sell enough at farmers markets all summer in Colorado and travel all winter. Little did we know our community wanted much more than a local summer kombucha fill!

Q: What is your favorite flavor of kombucha? 

The OG, G.T.’s Synergy is always my go to when I am traveling without Happy Leaf.

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

I had been finding my place as an entrepreneur with a health and lifestyle coaching practice. I had so much fun working with people from all walks of life, from all over the world. Before that I decided to forgo college and travel, I was able to live in beautiful places and learn from life experiences I never imagined I would have.

Q: What is a saying that you live by?

There is a quote I read years ago that always stuck to the front of my mind;
“The Universe is my way. LOVE is my law. PEACE is my shelter. EXPERIENCE is my school. OBSTACLE is my stimulant. PAIN is my warning. WORK is my blessing. BALANCE is my attitude. PERFECTION is my destiny.” ~ Guillermo Toloentino

Meet Our Members – Mom’s Bucha (NV)

Kelly Boyett, Mom’s Bucha, Las Vegas, NV   Q: When did you first discover kombucha? About 8 years ago Margie discovered kombucha and started drinking it and learning about it. She decided she wanted to make it as it was pretty expensive; thanks to Hannah Crum and my friend who gave me a piece of […]

Thursday, 5th August 2021

Kelly Boyett, Mom’s Bucha, Las Vegas, NV

 

Q: When did you first discover kombucha?

About 8 years ago Margie discovered kombucha and started drinking it and learning about it. She decided she wanted to make it as it was pretty expensive; thanks to Hannah Crum and my friend who gave me a piece of his grandmother’s 70 year old culture, I was able to get started and gratefully improving ever since! Kelly tasted it soon after her mom and partner, Margie started making it and started making her own immediately!

Q: Why did you start your own kombucha company?

It has truly been a dream in Margie’s heart since she began making it in her home. She didn’t believe it could happen, as we are pretty unconventional, and did not have much capital or even a place to brew. Miraculous blessings allowed Kelly to join her and brought us to where we are, and we have faith that will keep moving us in the right direction.

Q: What is your favorite flavor of kombucha? 

GT’s Kombucha Synergy Trilogy has always been a fave!

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

Margie has always been a mom, and is now a very happy Grandma. Kelly has worked in a multitude of diverse industries including environmental science, the restaurant industry, retail, and sales.

Q: What is a saying that you live by?

I hope to be grateful, always 🙂

 

Meet Our Members – Buchi Kombucha (Australia)

Jason Callender, Buchi Kombucha, Australia Q: When did you first discover kombucha? It was 2010 in Brooklyn NY where this wide eyed Kiwi discovered this fermented, non-alcohol, detoxifying bottle of fizzy goodness for the first time. It was a bottle of GT”s Multi Greens. I’ll never forget it. Q: Why did you start your own […]

Friday, 30th July 2021

Jason Callender, Buchi Kombucha, Australia

Q: When did you first discover kombucha?

It was 2010 in Brooklyn NY where this wide eyed Kiwi discovered this fermented, non-alcohol, detoxifying bottle of fizzy goodness for the first time. It was a bottle of GT”s Multi Greens. I’ll never forget it.

Q: Why did you start your own kombucha company?

Kombucha was just the replacement for alcohol I was looking for and upon returning to Australia I hunted high and low for this wondrous concoction which led me underground where I found and inherited my first SCOBY from a chap by the name of “Grubby”.

Q: What is your favorite flavor of kombucha? 

Heavenly Hops and New Age Noir by GT. How he does it I don’t know.

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

Lumberjack, Picture framer/Gallery Owner, IT Professional, Kombucha Brewer. Logical right??

Q: What is a saying that you live by?

If not now, When?!

Meet Our Members – Vitae Kombucha (Spain)

Núria Benet, Vitae Kombucha, Spain Q: When did you first discover kombucha? We discovered kombucha during our life experience in Costa Rica. We moved there in 2011 with our three sons and owned NOSARA BAGEL HOUSE. Our main visitors were American people who spent their holidays in that paradise, looking for the best place to […]

Thursday, 15th July 2021

Núria Benet, Vitae Kombucha, Spain

Q: When did you first discover kombucha?

We discovered kombucha during our life experience in Costa Rica. We moved there in 2011 with our three sons and owned NOSARA BAGEL HOUSE. Our main visitors were American people who spent their holidays in that paradise, looking for the best place to practice yoga and surf. They were who led us to discover it, because they asked us for it!!! We found a wonderful woman who made her own kombucha, BELLABUCHA COSTA RICA, and that was the kombucha we sold in our restaurant.

Q: Why did you start your own kombucha company?

When we came back to Barcelona, we decided to make the same kombucha we learned to make in Costa Rica, with organic ingredients and the most artisan method possible. Our life motor is to bring the benefits of a good kombucha to the maximum of people!!

Q: What is your favorite flavor of kombucha? 

LOTUS from BELLABUCHA!!! and let me say it, PURA VIDA from VITAE.

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

Before we owned our restaurant in Costa Rica, we were part of a family company, based in Barcelona, that had a chain of luxury perfume and cosmetics shops.

Q: What is a saying that you live by?

Why not? This means open mind!!!!

Meet Our Members – Wild Tea Kombucha (Argentina)

Eugenia Ripari, Wild Tea Kombucha, Argentina Q: When did you first discover kombucha? We each have different beginnings with kombucha. Nahuel comes from a family whose background is in botany, specifically Fungi and grew up with a father who enjoyed experimenting in the kitchen. Nahuel’s first encounter with kombucha was as a young man drinking […]

Tuesday, 6th July 2021

Eugenia Ripari, Wild Tea Kombucha, Argentina

Q: When did you first discover kombucha?

We each have different beginnings with kombucha. Nahuel comes from a family whose background is in botany, specifically Fungi and grew up with a father who enjoyed experimenting in the kitchen. Nahuel’s first encounter with kombucha was as a young man drinking the vinagary pellicled drink in the mornings before breakfast. I (Eugenia) discovered kombucha in 2010 while studying interior design and doing a project on food access, health and design. Since then, I’ve been juicing and kombucha-ing all the way to Patagonia.

Q: Why did you start your own kombucha company?

I (Eugenia) had been working on opening a food truck in Bariloche when everything closed down due to COVID. When that backfired I decided to change course and focused on refining my kombucha (that I brought from Baltimore, MD) so that it would be something that my friends and community could enjoy. We worked on transforming the kombucha from the more traditional funky flavors we love, to something more inviting to someone that has never heard of the product and is a bit hesitant of trying new things. Now we offer Ginger, Raspberry Hibiscus, and Elderflower as well as some limited edition flavors depending on the season.

Q: What is your favorite flavor of kombucha? 

When I lived in the US, I would stop for Health-aide’s Pink Apple or Wild Kombucha’s Grapefruit Lavender.

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

Nahuel is rock climber and lab tech at a nearby University. I used to be a wellness associate at an organic market, interior designer, and real estate agent. Starting a kombucha brand in Patagonia seems to be an obvious next step:)

Q: What is a saying that you live by?

Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage… not sure who said this but we tend to embrace our fears and uncertainty and try to use this to become better humans.

Meet Our Members – Dr Hops Kombucha Beer (CA)

  Joshua Rood, Dr Hops Kombucha Beer, San Leandro, CA Q: When did you first discover kombucha? In LA around 2001. I was living and recording music in Silver Lake and bartending in Hollywood and starting seeing this spectacular new beverage brand in all the most progressive grocery stores. It was GT’s of course! I […]

Monday, 28th June 2021

 

Joshua Rood, Dr Hops Kombucha Beer, San Leandro, CA

Q: When did you first discover kombucha?

In LA around 2001. I was living and recording music in Silver Lake and bartending in Hollywood and starting seeing this spectacular new beverage brand in all the most progressive grocery stores. It was GT’s of course! I was immediately struck by the creativity and liveliness of this “new” beverage and brand. I grew my first home SCOBY from a GT’s original bottle. 

Q: Why did you start your own kombucha company?

I wanted to create something magical for the world, a wonderful new hybrid of healthfulness & debauchery. And I had a vision for a brand that could authentically and powerfully embrace both sides of that dichotomy. When co-founder Tommy produced a promising prototype, I knew we had to go for it.

Q: What is your favorite flavor of kombucha? 

GT’s original Trilogy. Duh!

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

I’ve had several. Underground musician, bartender & pot grower. Healing foods chef at yoga retreat center & raw vegan restaurant. Assistant manager and community team leader at lululemon.

Q: What is a saying that you live by?

Heroes are ordinary people who dare to see and meet the call of a possibility bigger than themselves. Breakthroughs are created by such heroes, by those who stand for a result while it is only a possibility – people who take action to make possibility real.

Strength in Numbers Member Drive

VOLUNTEER FOR THE KBI ANNUAL MEMBER DRIVE JAN 25 – FEB 15, 2021 Many hands make light work.Teamwork makes the dream work.We grow together. Here at KBI, we are a grassroots organization with a small, yet dedicated staff and passionate volunteers who donate their time, energy and brainpower to stabilize and grow our beloved Kombucha […]

Wednesday, 20th January 2021
strength in numbers

VOLUNTEER FOR THE KBI ANNUAL MEMBER DRIVE JAN 25 - FEB 15, 2021

Many hands make light work.
Teamwork makes the dream work.
We grow together.


Here at KBI, we are a grassroots organization with a small, yet dedicated staff and passionate volunteers who donate their time, energy and brainpower to stabilize and grow our beloved Kombucha industry.

The pandemic of 2020 which is continuing into 2021 has thrown sharp focus onto our collective societal and individual weaknesses. 

Health and Immunity are the top words on everyone’s mind and KOMBUCHA can be a valuable tool to achieve good health and strong immune systems. 

And it has also illuminated the many ways in which we can continue to grow as an industry and evolve to meet the changing needs of our consumers, supply chain and distribution outlets. To that end, we’ve introduced monthly recurring memberships to help our BIPs/T1s/T2s & ADJ (water kefir!) members gain access to vital resources while retaining flexibility. 

 Many brands, even in the face of seeming insurmountable challenges, remained resilient and have established even deeper roots with their community.

Let us help you grow your business as we “change the world, one gut at a time.”

 

Be like Corey & Volunteer Today!

Volunteer Requirements

  • Able to make phone calls 1-3 hours per week
  • Access to a computer to take notes
  • Passion to share about your experience with KBI

How It Works

  • Sign up today
  • Make calls (script & training provided)
  • Take notes
  • Report feedback

Share a Testimonial

Schedule too busy but still want to help? Then send us an email and we’ll share them here and on our YouTube channel!

The KBI Admin team will be send out follow up emails based on your notes. Thank you for your support & participation!

 

 

Any video submissions become the property of KBI.

VOLUNTEER NOW

Meet Our Members -Meduzyna Kombucha (Poland)

Magda Wolska, Meduzyna Kombucha, Warsaw, Poland Q: When did you first discover kombucha? Several years ago I saw that one of the food trucks in Hawaii was selling homemade kombucha. I didn’t try it back then, but read about it and really liked the idea that everyone can make it at home. Some time later […]

Wednesday, 20th January 2021

Magda Wolska, Meduzyna Kombucha, Warsaw, Poland

Q: When did you first discover kombucha?

Several years ago I saw that one of the food trucks in Hawaii was selling homemade kombucha. I didn’t try it back then, but read about it and really liked the idea that everyone can make it at home. Some time later I discovered bottled kombucha in Barcelona, tried several local brands, and was hooked. I liked that there is such a variety of flavours and profiles of this drink. After that I looked for local brands every time I travelled abroad.

Q: Why did you start your own kombucha company?

After working at a big corporation for seven years I decided to change my career and start my own business. I was always very passionate about food and at that time experimented with kombucha a lot. I think that in Poland, where there is a big tradition of fermenting food (people used to make kombucha here in 1914), there is a place for a tea-centered kombucha brand. I started this business with my boyfriend, who works as a software engineer, and enjoys designing and constructing the brewery process in his free time. My sister helps us with sales and production.

Q: What is your favorite flavor of kombucha? 

Osmanthus kombucha made with green tea and dried osmanthus flowers produced by Bärbucha Kombucha from Berlin.

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

I had a career in finance.

Q: What is a saying that you live by?

Think for yourself, question authority.

 

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