Interview with GT’s Founder and CEO, George Thomas Dave

Kombucha has become one of the superstars of the health and wellness movement. George Thomas Dave, Founder and CEO of GT’s Living Foods, one of the few global kombucha giants, has worked hard to maintain quality and values since creating the category in the ‘90s. On my podcast, The Irresistible Factor, GT shares his personal story of how kombucha changed his life, and how he found himself managing a multibillion-dollar company. Together, we dive into GT’s personal history, including why he started selling kombucha as a teenager. GT shares his heartfelt story of wanting to create a product that truly healed people; when his mom was diagnosed with breast cancer, she drank her family’s own kombucha. (The brand still makes their product in the same way.) We also explore how he scaled his company while maintaining its high quality and personal touch, and how his ethos helps ensure the company’s continued success. “My North star is making sure that I’m doing good,” he said “making the best product that I’m physically capable of doing, and that I’m helping people live better lives. And as we know, one of the key ways of doing that is by being healthy.”GT gives some great advice about the importance of knowing why you’re doing something instead of chasing a bottom line, and the benefits — and drawbacks — of treating your company like your child. We talk about the continued growth of GT's Living Foods, and what GT is most excited about in the coming years. Listen to The Irresistible Factor’s Interview with GT’s Founder and CEO, George Thomas Dave. Here’s what you won’t want to miss from our conversation: 

• Why having modest expectations and goals can help founders build sustainable companies
• The importance of a mission-based brand
• The biggest challenges GT’s has faced, including the impact of the pandemic 
• The advantages and disadvantages of taking on investors

 Links mentioned in this episode: GT Dave on LinkedInGT's Living FoodsGT's Living Foods CocoyoGT's Living Foods ALIVE Ancient Mushroom Elixir