Caroline Howard, co-founder of Walker Brothers Kombucha, shares her inspiring journey from home brewing to launching a successful kombucha brand. She discusses the creative branding process, the challenges of scaling production, and the strategic dual-pathway distribution for both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options. Caroline emphasizes the importance of local partnerships and grassroots marketing while highlighting their innovative collaborations with brands like Rishi and Counter Culture Coffee. Tune in for insights on fundraising, community engagement, and expanding into new markets!
Walker Brothers emerged from a family recipe and passion for beverages, leading to a successful kombucha brand focused on quality and flavor.
The brand's dual-pathway distribution strategy allows for broader market reach, enhancing visibility in both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage sectors.
Deep dives
The Importance of Quality Ingredients
Walker Brothers prioritizes the taste and quality of their kombucha by using high-quality ingredients, starting with a proprietary blend of teas. The fermentation process is meticulously crafted to ensure the balance between sweetness and acidity, avoiding overly sweet or vinegary flavors. This dedication to flavor is exemplified through their blueberry jasmine kombucha, which integrates organic blueberry puree and a secondary steep of jasmine tea for a refined taste. By focusing on a limited number of flavor additions, they complement rather than mask the natural kombucha flavor.
Roots of the Business
The founders of Walker Brothers include Sam and Luke Walker, who initially experimented with homebrewing kombucha using a SCOBY handed down from their aunt. Their previous experiences in the beverage and craft beer industries inspired them to create a business around a product that they genuinely enjoyed. Recognizing the growing trend for healthier beverages, they shifted from home brewing to formal business, realizing there was a market for a well-crafted kombucha. The combination of their passion and market insight formed the foundation of Walker Brothers.
Strategic Distribution Expansion
Walker Brothers has grown its distribution by leveraging connections within the beverage industry, starting locally in Nashville before expanding into multiple states. They utilize both direct-store delivery (DSD) systems for their alcoholic products and strategic partnerships with national distributors for their non-alcoholic line. The flexibility of offering both alcoholic and non-alcoholic kombucha allows them to reach a broader audience while reinforcing brand awareness across different channels. This organic approach to building distributor relationships has played a critical role in their expansion strategy.
Innovative Packaging Choices
Walker Brothers chose aluminum cans over glass bottles for their kombucha to promote better recycling practices and increase consumer convenience. This decision was motivated by the challenges of recycling glass in their home state of Tennessee, highlighting the brand's commitment to environmental sustainability. Their can designs were inspired by the storytelling of the founders’ travels, collaborating with a designer known for impactful beverage branding. This thoughtful approach allows their products to stand out on the shelves while aligning with their brand's clean and approachable image.
In this episode of the Startup CPG podcast, Grace Kennedy chats with Caroline Howard, one of the co-founders of Walker Brothers, a kombucha brand crafting both non-alcoholic and hard kombucha. Caroline shares the story behind Walker Brothers’ inception, including how a family scoby and a shared passion for beverages sparked the brand’s journey. She dives into the creative process behind their clean, modern branding, the challenges of scaling production, and the strategic decision to brew in-house for superior flavor.
Caroline also discusses the dual-pathway distribution strategy they’ve developed for their alcoholic and non-alcoholic product lines, how collaborations with brands like Rishi and Counter Culture Coffee have elevated their offerings, and what it takes to grow in highly competitive retail and regional markets. With Texas and Colorado on their radar, Walker Brothers continues to expand while staying true to their ethos of bridging kombucha culture and craft beverage communities.
If you’re curious about raising capital, the importance of grassroots marketing, and building a brand that resonates with today’s thoughtful consumers, this episode is packed with valuable insights.
Tune in now to learn how Walker Brothers is redefining kombucha!
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