Beneficial bacteria are the key to a healthy gut, and fermented products, such as the black tea-based drink kombucha, are considered heroes when it comes to creating a flourishing gut microbiome.
Kombucha is usually sold in liquid form and, although prices vary, it is not exactly cheap to drink on a daily basis. It was this economic consideration that prompted G&G Wellness founder, Clodagh O Connor, to develop a powdered kombucha that can be added by the scoop to water, yoghurt, smoothies or porridge.
O Connor is a former Kerry intercountry footballer and passionate about gut health because of the now well-established connection between the gut and the brain that influences not only digestion, but also mental health and the body’s response to inflammation and autoimmune diseases.
“Anyone who is health conscious needs to ensure they are getting enough fermented food and drinks, and I wanted to make it as easy as possible to include kombucha in the diet,” says O Connor who started making bottled kombucha for friends and family during the lockdown. Demand grew and following HSE approval for her production facilities, she began supplying stores around Munster.
Positive feedback about the bottled product got O Connor thinking about a powdered version and she spent a lot of time researching the optimum formulation to meet her wellness and flavour goals. She eventually found a specialist ingredients supplier in California and the finished product is currently produced there on her behalf.
“G&G Kombucha is fortified with health-boosting ingredients including green tea and apple cider vinegar. It is rich in antioxidants and contains probiotics and enzymes that aid digestion, boost the immune system and increase energy,” says O Connor whose company’s products are available online, in SuperValu stores countrywide and in health shops.
“The powder has an RRP of €25 and contains 20 servings. It is cost effective but also convenient as you can bring it with you on-the-go to work or travelling.
“I used all my savings to fund my idea, which was a big risk. However, I really believe in the product and thankfully it paid off,” O Connor says. “I invested around €55,000 and any profits have gone straight back in. I also had help in the form of mentoring and business courses from Cork city local enterprise office.”
G&G stands for the green and gold colours of O Connor’s home county of Kerry and also for “good for the gut”. The kombucha is one of three products the company produces. (A fourth product, aimed at the sports market, will be launched early next year.)
The company’s Hydrate powder is targeted at athletes and those with a busy lifestyle while G&G Supergreens is an energy booster. The hydrating product contains electrolytes, amino acids, zinc, magnesium and the daily recommendation of Vitamins B6, B12 and C, while the Supergreens incorporates 22 ingredients including raw fibre, the native Indian plant moringa and reishi mushroom, which support digestion and the immune system.
“When I was playing football for Kerry and commuting back and forth to Cork for training, I began to develop headaches and couldn’t understand why,” O Connor says. “It turned out I was dehydrated despite the fact that I was drinking water. Water is not sufficient to hydrate in circumstances such as vigorous exercise, so the hydrate product was a response to personal experience.”
With a steady pattern of growth now established, O Connor is thinking about her next move and the possibility of taking on an angel investor who could bring sectoral expertise as well as money to the table.
“I never thought about starting my own business. It just sort of happened and has grown organically, which has allowed me to keep my ‘day job’ as a primary schoolteacher,” says O Connor, who hopes that her story of moving outside her comfort zone and down a whole new career path will encourage others to do the same.