Radiate Kombucha, the Miami-based fermented beverage company, recently catapulted into the national spotlight, after winning a free 30-second commercial at the NBA Finals through the Spotlight.online contest. For Susan Aran, the Founder and CEO of Radiate Kombucha, this recognition and award from .Online Domains represents much more than a marketing victory—it’s a testament to years of hard work, community engagement, and unwavering commitment to sustainable practices.
Aran’s journey from a one-woman apothecary to the helm of a company supplying over 150 locations in South Florida has been nothing short of exhilarating. “I explain Radiate like a snowball rolling down a hill turning into an avalanche, and I am just there chasing after it,” she quips, describing the company’s exponential growth. However, behind this success lies a symbiotic relationship with the local community, coupled with ardent dedication to sustainability, a key differentiator in the fermented beverage industry.
Radiate Kombucha’s product line embodies this sustainability, from ingredients to packaging. As Aran explains, “Sustainability is a core value for us at Radiate.” After learning about the diminishing effectiveness of glass recycling, Aran, spurred by her background as a nutritionist, decided to pivot to BPA-free aluminum for packaging.
Her commitment to the environment also extends to the sourcing of ingredients. In pursuit of her vision for a localized food system, Aran sources directly from local farms, fostering a healthier ecosystem and higher nutrient density in the food produced. To reinforce the sustainability initiative, Radiate Kombucha partners with the non-profit Watershed Action Lab, promoting local eco-system conservation and sponsoring beach clean-ups.
Forming partnerships has been pivotal to Radiate’s growth, notably with major wholesalers like Whole Foods Market and Milams. Aran’s knack for maneuvering these relationships has ensured that Radiate Kombucha is not just another product on the supermarket shelf, but a part of the community’s everyday life.
Though word-of-mouth referrals have served Radiate well, Aran is eager to expand the company’s reach even further. The recent launch of a direct-to-consumer offering marks an exciting new chapter, one that entails reaching a broader customer base outside Florida without compromising the nutrient density and probiotic population of the products.
As a female entrepreneur, Aran recognizes the unique challenges that women face in the business world. Yet, she approaches these challenges with relentless optimism. “I see challenges as opportunities. Being a woman and Mom is my superpower,” she proudly declares. Aran’s advice for aspiring female entrepreneurs revolves around embracing the power of the community. She attributes much of her success to her support system and her refusal to accept “no” for an answer.
On the horizon for Radiate Kombucha are new flavor collaborations and a ‘farm to can’ program that enables customers to trace their can’s ingredients back to the local farm. Additionally, the company is in the research and development phase for a functional sparkling water line, broadening its product portfolio.
Like any entrepreneur, Aran has encountered her share of obstacles. Reflecting on a premature expansion to Texas, she notes, “Now I realize that just because someone wants to buy the product, it doesn’t mean we have to sell it to them.” This setback led to a strategic restructuring, strengthening the company’s roots in their hometown and underlining the importance of local support.
In an industry experiencing considerable growth, differentiating Radiate Kombucha from competitors is a top priority for Aran. The company’s emphasis on community engagement and sustainability, Aran believes, sets Radiate apart. “How can we live more sustainably? How can we support our community? How can we lean into our little pocket of Earth (and our own body) and nourish it in the most holistic and sustainable way?” Aran muses.
Aran envisions a future for Radiate Kombucha that aligns with its original intentions but on a larger scale. As part of her plan to support local wellness, she hopes to open a space featuring a brewery to facilitate community gathering, support local farmers, and host conversations about mitigating food waste and nurturing soil.
As Radiate Kombucha continues to brew success and sustainability, it’s clear that Aran’s journey is not just about creating a winning beverage; it’s about sparking a positive, sustainable change, one sip at a time.
