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[Page S5788]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING MOTHER KOMBUCHA
Mr. RUBIO. Madam President, as chairman of the Senate
Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, it is my privilege to
recognize a unique Florida small business for its valuable
contributions to the local economy and its dedicated efforts towards
sustainability and dignified work. Today, it is my distinct pleasure to
name Mother Kombucha of St. Petersburg, FL as the Senate Small Business
of the Week.
In 2014, Tonya Donati, a former occupational therapist, became
Florida's first licensed kombucha brewer after noticing there were not
many locally sourced options. Tonya and her business partner, Joshua
Rumschlag, began brewing kombucha, a beverage of fermented, sweetened
tea, in Tonya's small test kitchen to sell at local farmers markets.
Eventually, Tonya and her husband, Victor Donati, secured a Small
Business Administration 7(a) loan to move into a larger space, which
enabled them to manufacture kombucha full time. Through hard work and a
strategic vision, Mother Kombucha has grown from a 2-person operation
into a full-scale business that now employs nearly 20 people and
packages around 7,500 bottles a day. Over the last 5 years, Mother
Kombucha has opened more than 600 accounts across Florida, and their
products can be found in Publix, Whole Foods, and Winn-Dixie. Though
the kombucha industry has expanded in recent years, Mother Kombucha's
niche position provides a competitive edge in the expanding market.
Mother Kombucha sets itself apart in this industry as a brand
committed to making a positive social and environmental impact. As a
woman-owned and operated company, Tonya's business is an inspiration
for other women entrepreneurs. It has been certified by the Women's
Business Enterprise National Council, one of the leading advocates for
women business owners in the United States. Several of Mother
Kombucha's flavors are based on a single-source green tea from a
company that helps to raise women out of poverty in Bangladesh. Mother
Kombucha makes community involvement a priority. In addition to
providing competitive salaries to its employees, the company hosts an
annual Mother's Day fundraiser to benefit women and children affected
by domestic violence. Mother Kombucha has incorporated solar panels
into each of their facilities, operates a robust recycling program, and
is working to achieve B-Corp status. This certification is awarded to
companies who uphold the highest environmental and labor standards,
while also giving back to their respective communities.
Tonya has worked hard to expand her business throughout Florida, and
her efforts have not gone unnoticed. Notably, Mother Kombucha was
honored by GrowFlorida as one of Florida's 50 Companies to Watch in
2019. Tonya's love of kombucha, her hard work, and commitment to her
community make this business an integral part of Florida's economic
framework. This National Women's Small Business Month, it is my honor
to congratulate the entire Mother Kombucha team for being named Senate
Small Business of the Week. I look forward to watching their continued
growth and success.
____________________
