Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage, but not sure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kim Decary, co-owner of Lao Kombucha based in Quebec, Canada. Kim is also handling the marketing side of the company.
Tell us all about your business...
Lao is a sophisticated kombucha that flirts with the world of the sommelier. A marriage of flavors, sensations, and emotions that intertwine with each sip to make you live a little moment of ecstasy. Your senses are precious; why not surprise them and make them live unforgettable moments every time the opportunity arises? Teas from different regions of the world, processed authentically, can be found in each series. At Lao, we take the gentle, uncharted path of tea. Each great tea has a particular taste profile, so choosing a specific tea family; white, green, oolong, black, or Pu'Er, the result will be different. This is why Lao offers unique kombuchas brewed with a specialized and sophisticated approach. A taste balanced to perfection, simple and natural ingredients, premium fermented teas at the top of their game. Our customers are people who believe in the quality of the product they consume. They want the best available for them.
Tell us about yourself and your motivation to grow as an entrepreneur?
Hi, my name is Kim Décary; I am co-owner and Marketing Fairy at Lao Kombucha. For too long, I have felt confused and lost about myself and the impact I wanted to have here on earth. But deep down, my soul always knew that I wanted to have my own business to change the world with my vision and values while incarnating the goddess that I am, that we all are. The food industry is overcrowded with men, and I believe that we all crave a renewal of food to become natural and healthy again. Our society is in deep need of the love that women share for caring about the wellbeing of others, and I’m feeling blessed every day seeing women-owned businesses growing!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
When I arrived at Lao, the branding was already done. It was more like a microbrewery version of kombucha; pull out a log and enjoy this happy nectar. Do you know what I mean? And then I started doing communications, social media, image, and all the marketing stuff. So the evolution towards a more premium product was very natural and organic.
In addition to the quality of the tea and ingredients used in these kombuchas, I also brought a feminine touch to all of this. I only managed to put words and images on very abstract concepts. I was able to take our notoriety to another level with this more refined aesthetic. So much so that the largest kombucha company referred us in Canada to create recipes and help Canadian-Brazilian entrepreneurs open their kombucha brewery in Brazil. This recently turned into a Brazilian investment in Lao Kombucha (for a new secret product launch). All this talk is to say that all this determination to keep Lao evolving led me to suggest to my team that we rebrand from scratch. During the pandemic, we completely redefined our target clientele by having the chance to deliver cases of kombuchas directly to their homes. This discovery of an older clientele invested in themselves pushed me to take the plunge finally. This is my most stressful but most motivating project to date, which will be unveiled shortly. With the growing competition (or not, unfortunately, COVID hits hard on our industry), it was paramount to me that our words and image be aligned. While the brand looked great, it didn't come close to representing our full potential and values. In partnership with an agency, we designed a new logo and image that challenges beverages, especially kombucha, and help redefine food standards that for too long have been shaped by manufacturers, not consumers.
We believe people should express themselves by investing in products that they enjoy. Vision Lao Kombucha is top of the line in terms of quality and ingredients. Each sip is an experience, providing the consumer with a delicious beverage and a sense of comfort and satisfaction in knowing that they are putting themselves first by purchasing a premium product. I am incredibly proud to say that I have helped build a new image that is timeless, sophisticated, and steeped in the sacred geometry and origins of Laos in China. In the collective imagination, we leave an imprint of who we are, what we believe in, how we stand for, our transparency, but also of the world we dream of living in. I've been working non-stop for the last few months to redo everything in the background, photos, website, messages, ads... To make the launch unforgettable and the most significant turning point at Lao to date.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being an entrepreneur?
It's learning to let go and surrender while still working towards your goal and maintaining your vision.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Grow your mindset. Read spiritual development books and enlarge your vision.
- Don't be afraid to ask for help. Use your resources, and don't get hung up on doing it all by yourself. Hire people that are better than you in their field.
- Enjoy. Your business will seem to be your whole world. But please, enjoy your life; it's a beautiful road you embark on, but don't forget to enjoy the little things and celebrate the big stuff.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Love is the key and the answer. Build meaningful relationships and be authentic. We need to create new kinds of businesses if we want a thriving world. So join me, and let's join the conscious business movement together!
Where can people find you?
Website: https://www.laokombucha.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laokombucha
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/kim_decary/
https://www.instagram.com/lao_kombucha/
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/lao-kombucha/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-decary-a24a7267/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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