Daina Trout first learned how to brew kombucha during her tenure at Tufts University, where she earned Masters’ degrees both in Nutrition and Public Health after receiving her BS from Georgetown University. During that time, she also developed her personal philosophy that health is less about science and more about what makes you feel good and happy.
After graduation, Trout moved to Los Angeles to accept a position working in pharmaceuticals but continued to cultivate an interest in holistic and “real” food that fuels a hard-working lifestyle.
Trout funneled this energy into an entrepreneurship club she formed with her husband Justin Trout and best friend Vanessa Dew to explore ways they could combine their diverse backgrounds into a successful business venture; the result, Health-Ade Kombucha.
Daina joins Erica in this encore episode from March 2022 to talk about what kombucha means to her, starting a successful business, maintaining a work-life balance, and a bit about the natural alcohol content.
Featuring:
Daina Trout
Daina Trout co-founded Health-Ade Kombucha in 2012 alongside her husband, Justin Trout, and best friend, Vanessa Dew. Since the beginning, the trio has been committed to brewing the best tasting and highest quality kombucha on the market.
Trout first learned how to brew kombucha during her tenure at Tufts University, where she earned Masters’ degrees both in Nutrition and Public Health after receiving her BS from Georgetown University. During that time, she also developed her personal philosophy that health is less about science and more about what makes you feel good and happy. After graduation, Trout moved to Los Angeles to accept a position working in pharmaceuticals but continued to cultivate an interest in holistic and “real” food that fuels a hard-working lifestyle. Trout funneled this energy into an entrepreneurship club she formed with Justin and Vanessa to explore ways they could combine their diverse backgrounds into a successful business venture; the result, Health-Ade.
Trusting what soon became the company’s motto to “follow your gut,” Trout and her cofounders quit their jobs to focus on Health-Ade full time, brewing kombucha in her apartment closet and selling bottles at a local LA farmers market. Over the course of the last nine years, Trout has nurtured what started as a small production and niche product into what has become a national brand that is sold at 45,000 grocery stores and health food markets nationwide, including major retailers like Target, Whole Foods, and Costco. Today, Health-Ade is currently the fastest growing brand in its category for three years in a row and is projected to significantly expand its business nationwide each year under her leadership as Chief Mission Officer.
In 2019, Daina was included on Inc’s Female Founder 100 list and was also named BevNet’s Person Of The Year. The same year, she was a semifinalist in EY’s Entrepreneur of the Year program and is a member of the Young Presidents Organization, a premier community of chief executives from around the world. In 2020, Daina was highlighted on Entrepreneur’s 100 Powerful Women list and was a featured guest on NPR’s How I Built This. When Trout is not tirelessly working to bring kombucha to every fridge in America, she is spending time with her husband and two sons, traveling, adventuring, cooking, and enjoying outdoor life.
