KTonic Kombucha emerged from the seed of an idea, germinating around the concept of transforming tea into a fermented beverage. In 2008, Greg Goodman, a devoted kombucha enthusiast since 2005, embarked on an amateur journey to create his version of the beverage. After making it for a few years, he realized how much unneeded sugar was in it. Off-the-shelf kombucha adds fructose from fruit juices at the end of the fermentation process to make up the drink’s flavor profile. In pursuit of a healthful and functionally balanced drink, Goodman focused on single fermentation, maintaining a “tea-centric” profile with the lowest sugar content possible. His process includes fermenting tea with herbs and freeze-dried fruits to get a flavor on the front end of the tea instead of adding fructose-laden fruit juices at the end.

To produce larger volumes of his healthier version of kombucha, Goodman partnered with his brother-in-law, Bryan Schmitz, who brewed craft beer. Schmitz had the equipment and the technical know-how to produce on a larger scale. As KTonic Kombucha continued to grow, the need for operational capital became apparent. A fortuitous connection made by a local SBA business broker to Raquel Valdez-Sanchez, COO of BCL of Texas, provided the essential funding to fuel K-Tonic’s ongoing development. Reflecting on the experience, Goodman emphasized the importance of early engagement with financial partners like BCL of Texas, expressing gratitude for the support that propelled KTonic forward. “We realize now how much better things would have been if we had gone to the table earlier with BCL,” he noted.

Drawing from the challenges encountered during the business’s inception, Goodman is committed to assisting others by offering valuable advice. He underscores the significance of cultivating relationships with individuals who can navigate the funding pipeline, advocating for having a professional bookkeeper to keep financials in line.

Along with helping other business owners, the KTonic team prioritizes community involvement. Their limited-edition seasonal offering, “Chai, how are you?” serves a dual purpose by supporting the SIMS Foundation and Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM). This initiative, donating 15% of gross sales to both organizations, underscores KTonic’s commitment to raising awareness and providing assistance for the mental and physical well-being of Austin’s musicians and music professionals.