Leave it to Better Booch and WellSet to come together for a special weekend of mind, body and soul at the fashionable The Row in downtown Los Angeles to spread learning and camaraderie among wellness practitioners and people intent on living a more conscious life.

Hundreds of wellness industry insiders came together for a day filled with yoga, group hypno-meditation, live wellness music, expert-led panels with prominent industry leaders, and a curated wellness marketplace takeover of the Row. Guests also had access to a wellness lounge filled with WellSet practitioner-experts for free mini consultations, massages, acupuncture ear seeds, and more.

We caught up with Ashleigh Lockerbie, co-founder of Better Booch to talk about her vision and mission for one of the best kombucha products we’ve ever had—and we’ve tried it all!

Is this Better Booch's first time partnering with this event? If so, what inspired you to be a part of it?

This is actually the first-ever Better&Well event which we created in partnership with WellSet. I’m lucky to have grown up in Southern California and Better Booch was born here in LA where we are surrounded by the best and brightest minds in wellness. We wanted to bring all of the wonderful people we’ve met along the way to one place to share their wisdom, unwind, and connect in-person.

What inspired you to co-found Better Booch?

My husband Trey and I created Better Booch together only six months into dating. Trey’s sister was unfortunately diagnosed with breast cancer out of the blue at age 24. We discovered kombucha during our process of researching all types of holistic and preventative lifestyles, and started making it at home. As we played around with different tea combinations and methods of flavoring our brew, we were excited by how delicious it was and thought that surely more people could benefit from drinking kombucha if they knew how good it could actually taste. We created Better Booch nine years ago starting with a one-gallon jar and selling at local farmer's markets. Today, we’ve grown into a 10,000 gallon a week operation, and distribute across the US.

What were you doing before you founded the business?

I’m actually a trained musician and singer! I sang back-up for Rihanna for four years, doing every live and televised performance she did. I met Trey while he was also still in the music business. He was writing and performing for some great artists like Lady Antebellum and Lenka. Life on the road can be pretty draining and both of us knew we wanted to settle down, have a family, and start something of our own which is how we ended up starting Better Booch. I’ve always loved music and been a creative type, and continue to be surprised by how creatively fulfilling being an entrepreneur is!

What is the most challenging aspect about running a kombucha brand? And the most rewarding?

The things that are challenging about running a kombucha brand probably apply to most businesses; Managing cash flow, managing a range of personalities, navigating a competitive landscape, etc, but probably the most challenging thing is personally managing the stress and pressure of keeping a business thriving and growing. Our investors, employees, customers, and families are all counting on us and that can feel like a lot at times. Yoga and meditation help! The most rewarding would be the fact that something I've dreamed up can have an impact on people I don't even know. I still get excited when I see Better Booch out in the wild!

What do you hope attendees will gain by attending this event?

We hope attendees will get to meet some like-minded individuals and discover a wellness outlet that really works for their life and routine. Our society runs at a mile-a-minute and it can be difficult to slow down and embrace the all-important self-care. The goal for Better&Well is to bring really effective wellness methods like sound baths, yoga, meditation, kombucha, and more to the forefront so guests can experience them all and find what works for them!

Can you give a simple explanation of what kombucha is and what to expect for those who have never had it?Kombucha is tea fermented together with a culture of bacteria (probiotics) and yeast. It tastes like a cross between iced tea and a slightly tart sparkling apple cider. Because of the fermentation process, you have probiotics and beneficial acids and enzymes that are naturally occurring in the brew. Kombucha promotes a balanced and healthy gut and can help detoxify the liver. Another byproduct of the fermentation process is alcohol. A lot of brands out there don't know how to control alcohol levels, or add juices and lots of sugar to cover up off flavors that come from poor fermentation. Better Booch uses only teas, herbs, adaptogens and botanicals to flavor our brews, and the result is a low sugar, verified non-alcoholic kombucha that tastes as great as it makes you feel!

What else can you do with kombucha other than drink it plain?

Kombucha is also a great cocktail or mocktail mixer! We love to use our Citrus Sunrise flavor for a refreshing margarita and our Hola Horchata makes a great vanilla chai cocktail, too. In the summertime, Ginger Boost can make a refreshing mule and we also mix up kombucha slushees in our Better Booch bar trailer.

Are there any new flavors we can expect from 2020?

We’re debuting an all new Hibiscus Healer flavor this spring! It is made with hibiscus flower, white tea, blueberry, and cranberry, and is a delicious anytime sipper.

Where is Better Booch sold?

Better Booch is sold at over 1,200 retail locations in California, Arizona, Colorado, and Hawaii, including Erewhon, Whole Foods, and Sprouts. We are excited to expand into more of the Southwest and North East this Spring! And, we ship anywhere in the US through our website and Amazon.com.

What is your favorite variety / flavor currently?

So hard to pick! Our newest flavor, Hibiscus Healer, is my current obsession. I'm drinking one right now!

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Better Booch & WellSet team up for a day of mindful gathering

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