How did George Thomas Dave make his first million?
George Thomas Dave (GT) is known for bringing Kombucha to the US market. Here is his story of George Thomas’s first million and more:
Finding Kombucha
Her family first received a starter lump of bacteria and yeast from a vegan friend, who in turn had gotten it from a Buddhist nun. George, when first tried Kombucha, thought it smelled and tasted weird.
Miraculous Story of Kombucha
His outlook changed when his mother, Laraine, was unexpectedly diagnosed with cancer. Doctors found a tumor in her breast and were preparing for a bone marrow transplant. But when more tests came back, the doctors were surprised—the tumor was old but inactive.
They asked if she had been eating anything out of the ordinary. She said no but mentioned she had been drinking homemade kombucha every day for two years. The doctors were intrigued, and Dave says they called her recovery “miraculous.”
Kombucha’s Legend
GT started researching Kombucha in the local library. He couldn’t find where Kombucha began but found that the old Asian warrior used to drink it before the battle to acquire great strength.
Inspired by the health benefits, GT Dave began brewing kombucha in his parents’ kitchen in Los Angeles. He was just a teenager at the time.
Starting GT’s Kombucha
In 1995, just at 17 years old, GT started selling his home-brewed kombucha to local health food stores. Kombucha was relatively unknown at the time. His first sale was to Erewhon Natural Foods, a famous health food store in Los Angeles.
Scaling The Business
• GT Dave’s passion helped his business grow through word-of-mouth, particularly among health-conscious consumers and those seeking natural remedies. GT considered the company an extension of himself. GT’s Kombucha was one of the first commercially available kombucha brands in the U.S., and it quickly gained a loyal following.
Kombucha Gaining Popularity
As the wellness movement gained momentum in the early 2000s, GT’s Kombucha exploded in popularity. His products began appearing in Whole Foods and other health food stores across the U.S. The market for fermented tea has grown eight fold in the last decade in the US.
GT Dave did not take outside investment and kept the company private, allowing him to maintain the integrity of the product.
Making His First Million
GT Dave likely made his first million as kombucha sales soared in the early 2000s. His decision to focus on organic ingredients and traditional brewing methods helped differentiate his product in a growing market.
Being The Market Leader
GT’s Kombucha is the top-selling kombucha brand in the U.S., and by 2015, GT Dave’s company was estimated to be worth over $900 million, and he remains the sole owner of his business.
Read Forbe’s story on George Thomas here.
