How KombuchaWOW Started

Like all good business success stories, ours started out when two friends wanted to do something same same but very different!

Our Why.

Back in December 2019, Co-Founders Alice Thongchoodum and Nathan Hague setup KombuchaWOW! Alice had 20+ years experience in the Phuket tourism industry, and Nathan had strong marketing skills and a software development company.

Industries change and for the past 5 years, Alice strongly felt she had peaked in her career. She was looking for a change, and by pure chance Nathan had returned from the UK where he had learnt about making kombucha from his brothers in London.

So they created KombuchaWOW!

No brewery experience. No beverage industry experience. Just a gut feeling that they could do something together that could be fun and scale into a sustainable business.

Our Ethos

From the outset, sustainability and environmental responsibility were foundational to KombuchaWOW!

Alice and Nathan committed to using no plastics in production, sourcing fruit directly from Thai farmers, and excluding harsh chemicals and additives. They also aimed to leverage their business to support community initiatives across Phuket, continuing their tradition of social contribution.

The onset of COVID-19 posed unprecedented challenges three months into operation: With restricted travel and no tourists, how does any business stay alive?

However, leveraging Alice's extensive island network, they innovated a relay system for delivering kombucha across Phuket-handing off products from one tambon border to the next. All transactions were managed through their Facebook page.

Despite the difficulties faced during the lockdown, KombuchaWOW! not only survived but thrived, experiencing significant growth from distributing free samples that led to substantial repeat business.

Remarkably, no staff were lost during this period, a testament to the resilience and community spirit of the brand. 

Our Products.

To this day, KombuchaWOW! remains true to its roots: our sparkling raw kombucha is brimming with probiotics and natural ingredients-no added sugars, preservatives, or artificial flavours. We also conduct la tests on random batches to ensure they are alcohol-free.

KombuchaWOW! celebrates Thailand's rich flavours - we still source our mangoes, passionfruit, lemons, and ginger directly from local farmers.

We proudly use their 'ugly' fruit too, minimising waste and supporting sustainable practices. By choosing these fruits, regardless of their appearance, we focus on taste and quality over aesthetics.

Our Mission.

Alice and Nate remain committed to their mission of redefining the beverage industry, demonstrating that sustainability and exceptional taste can harmoniously coexist. Each bottle of KombuchaWOW! reflects our dedication to minimising our environmental impact through reusable glass bottles, recycling, and composting efforts, as we strive to keep our carbon footprint near zero.

Starting with just a few glass bottles and a big dream, KombuchaWOW! has grown into a celebrated Phuket brand, loved by many of the island's top cafes, restaurants, and hotels. Our brand's bold and distinctive approach is not just about being loud; it's about being proudly local and delivering an unmatched kombucha experience.

So here we are! While there's so more to come in this story, we'd love you to be part of it by trying some of our sparkling raw kombucha and letting us know your thoughts.

Feedback is the breakfast of champions, and we're hungry!