Milan Jordan launched Cultured Kombucha, a new beverage startup in Washington, D.C., to bring healthy drinks to minority communities. Now, she’s crowdfunding to make them ready for sale.
Planning her own business brewing kombucha — a fermented drink said to have detoxifying benefits — drove home the persistent dearth of minority business owners and experts in health-conscious circles and conversations, she says in her iFundWomen crowdfunding campaign. “I created Cultured Kombucha because I love brewing and drinking kombucha, but also because I wanted to tackle some of those barriers to wellness.”
[Related: Learn how iFundWomen is Making Stars of Women Entrepreneurs.]
Jordan aims to do nothing less than “create positive change for black and minority populations,” she says. “I come from a background in American studies and architecture, so building community has been a lifelong passion of mine.”
Through this crowdfunding effort, she aims to get her new health venture up and running. She plans to bring bottles of her drinks to farmers markets that accept payments from government-funded food assistance programs. Jordan will also be partnering with area herbalists and small farms for recipes and supplies.
She sums up her mission simply: “We’re brewing for the culture.”
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The Money: With the $15,000 Jordan hopes to raise through this crowdfunding effort, she will conduct nutrition testing on her drinks, purchase kegs and other brewing equipment, stock glass bottles and cover other growth-related costs. She has until Sept. 9 to meet or exceed her goal.
[Related: Read about other women crowdfunders on The Story Exchange.]