How I Built This with Guy Raz Guayakí Yerba Mate: David Karr and Chris Mann
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Nov 28, 2022 David Karr and Chris Mann, co-founders of Guayakí Yerba Mate, share their journey of introducing yerba mate to the American market. They recount living in a van and driving nationwide to offer samples, reflecting on the pivotal moments that helped them overcome early challenges. The duo emphasizes their commitment to sustainability and community support while navigating packaging changes and growth strategies. They also discuss the blend of luck and hard work that fueled their impressive rise to an annual revenue exceeding $100 million.
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Language Immersion
- David Karr's foreign language studies led him to France, Germany, and Spain.
- Living with local families immersed him in the culture and improved his language skills, especially Spanish.
Meeting Alex
- David met Alex Pryor, an Argentinian exchange student, after spilling food on David's girlfriend.
- This led to a meal invitation where David was first introduced to yerba mate.
Yerba Mate's Impact
- David, a hay fever sufferer, experienced immediate relief after trying yerba mate.
- This "aha moment" sparked his interest in the beverage and its potential benefits.