Hello everyone! It has been a long time since our last post! We were so incredibly busy this summer, and I have finally returned from my end of the year travels to Costa Rica and Peru, and have come back with a story and some beautiful realizations!
And without further ado... :)
2013 was an intense labor of love and success! I have learned so much about myself in the process, including my own personal limitations of what this body can take and how much this mind can handle! It seemed all summer I was harvesting kombucha until 1 or 2am on Friday, only to wake up at 6am every Saturday to load the farmer's market supplies, vend the Proctor market, make deliveries to the co op and our other stores, wash HUNDREDS of bottles every other week, order ingredients, and schedule meetings while somehow still managing to make it to Burning Man, and the Rainbow Gathering in Montana, and backpacking to the coast, and other adventures! Needless to say, my physical and spiritual nourishment took a little bit of a dive :). I was drinking coffee almost every day, and didn't make any time for my usual Yoga and Meditation practices. Thankfully I had lots of kombucha on hand! (especially the Green Superfood!)
In addition, it has taken me awhile to learn and take care of all the responsibilities that go along with running my first business! I spent 2013 playing constant "catch-up" so to speak on 2012's bookkeeping, and learned the ins and outs of basic business accounting and Quickbooks, WHILE the business was running ahead and growing full speed with our wholesale accounts and success at the Proctor farmer's market. FINALLY, 2 days ago my bookkeeping mentor and I got caught up on all the accounting, and I got my 2012 taxes all done and finished! I had my printouts to mail to the IRS, and since I didn't have stamps, I had to go to the post office to get stamps and send it. I had the idea to get a little exercise, and decided to run to the post office (roughly 3/4 of a mile).
I laced up my running shoes and a jacket, and ran out the door with the envelopes. Not only was it raining! It was pouring, it was windy! It was intense! I haven't had any type of running or aerobic exercise in some time (mostly yoga and some pushups), and man it was a run! But I felt like the Olympic dude who was carrying the Torch (my tax returns) to the top of the mountain for victory! I even had to take a detour because a tree had fallen over some power lines onto someone's car and had the main street blocked off! As I ran I had to pace myself, and focus on breathing. My lungs were definitely not used to the sustained jogging, and I got that experience where you get way inside yourself. The rain pounded and I was soaking wet, the wind blew against me and made me work harder. It took a bit of slowing down before I finally made it to Mt. Olympus, the Post Office! The people inside looked at me like I was crazy for running all the way there (and going back "out there.") I got the stamps and mailed my taxes! WIN! WIN! WIN!
I caught my breath and made out for the return trip home. All of a sudden the rain lifted and a beautiful rainbow manifested right in the direction I was running! It was exciting and I felt empowered for taking control and not only getting the books done and filing my taxes, but taking care of my physical body at the same time! The whole books and taxes thing was lingering in the back of my mind and holding me down a bit since the 2012 taxes were by now overdue. This all now cleared, I have new clarity on what I need to do in the future to stay on top of the things required for running a business. It's fun to Learn and to be Challenged, and to Grow!
Another Realization I have made is that this business is NOT a ball and chain. I have lived a very free and spontaneous lifestyle for the last 8 years or so, to say the LEAST! ;) Needless to say, once this whole kombucha thing got started I was faced with a reality- RESPONSIBILITY! This business is like having a child! It needs constant attention and love to thrive and to keep going (and growing.) Now sometimes, this means not going on a trip to that music festival, or not buying that 1940's Hammond B3 Organ- Yet! (though I DO believe you can have your Cake and eat it too, if you believe you can, and I have proved this! ;)
My original vision for Rainbow Cloud Kombucha, 3 years ago, was that I wanted to brew and serve a delicious, revitalizing, healthy beverage at our local farmer's market. After overcoming all of the obstacles it took to start a business and create a product, we have had a very successful 2 years, most notably at the Proctor Farmer's Market last year! It was so rewarding to connect with our new and regular customers week after week, rain or shine (or Wind or Hail!), trade out bottles, test out new flavors, make friends with people, and even do a little trading here and there :) It is deeply satisfying to be serving the public in this way.
I have succeeded in my original vision for the business. As the markets got cold and rainy, and dark, I decided to seek a personal retreat and take a month off to visit Costa Rica and Peru, and do some centering, reflection, and body work! I also realized that in order to keep growing, I need to take care of myself first! I rediscovered the value of my Yoga and Meditation practice, and began to formulate a new vision for Rainbow Cloud, and for my own personal growth. What was next? How could we better serve the public, serve a broader audience, maintain our excellence, and do so in a way that nourishes my soul and the team it takes to do this?
I came back from my journey with a rekindled fire and clarity in purpose of what we are doing at Rainbow Cloud, and why we are doing it! We are doing our part to change the world! Yes, we are a small, "home-grown" business working within our means, but I believe big changes ultimately stem from little changes. If our product has brought you any value in health, well being, or even simple enjoyment, then we are fulfilling our goal to make the world a better place. We are growing together, and in making a choice to nourish yourself (and myself :), we are shifting to a greater place of wholeness and personal power. I believe that Rainbow Cloud Kombucha will grow to a place where it will be able to serve our community and the world in other ways too, by creating an abundance which can be charitably shared!
And so, our focus for 2014 is... KEGS! We are kegging our kombucha now! It will soon be available at restaurants, music venues, yoga studios, private parties and events, and on tap in stores as well! We believe this will help shape the choices available for nutritious beverages at places where there way only be pop or soda (or sugary fruit juice). If you would like to see Rainbow Cloud Kombucha on tap at any of your favorite restaurants, bars, or stores, let them know! We are looking at expanding our production to help serve a broader audience as well! It is an exciting, transformative, and yes, challenging time for me and the business. I am happily prepared to rise to the occasion :)
Thank you all who have supported Rainbow Cloud Kombucha, and me, and our vision of creating a better, more nourished world. I believe that in order to change the world, we have to first change ourselves, to overcome our own challenges, and to grow and open like the rose blossom! And it all starts with nutrition, and how we feel on the inside! I will look forward to seeing all of our friends and customers at the Proctor Farmer's Market again this year, beginning March 31. We love being a part of the local economy and serving aside all of our local farmers and craftsmen. Love, and many blessings!!!
In Gratitude,
Matthew G. Eklund
Rainbow Cloud Kombucha
