Calgary-based Wild Tea Kombucha expanding into new markets in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and British Columbia

Entrepreneurs Emily Baadsvik and Brigette Freel have big plans.

They successfully started Wild Tea Kombucha two years ago and now they plan to expand into new markets in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and British Columbia. Wild Tea brews kombucha using small batch methods producing a product that is raw and unpasteurized, bottled without any added carbonation. Current distribution is throughout Alberta in more than 60 stores and growing.

Like many entrepreneurs, the idea began small - in Baadsvik's apartment.

Baadsvik, a member of the Canadian National Bobsleigh team, was retiring after the Sochi Winter Olympics. During her training as an athlete, Emily she discovered kombucha to help her performance. Freel joined her after a career with Alberta Health Services as a Health Inspector with a Masters in Environmental Practice.

The company is also moving to a smaller bottle and a larger production facility.

A 380ml bottle for $5 has replaced the 500ml bottle priced at $7.50. 

“Our customers are the heart of our business so when we began hearing the same feedback around the size of the bottle, we recognized it was time for a shift,” says Freel. “Customers had trouble consuming the larger bottle so we wanted to offer a size that was more conducive to single-serve.”

Distribution of the new bottle will begin July 1.

The company's website is www.wildteakombucha.com.