HLTH-EE SODA

Journey…

2021

— JUNE
1st learn about “water kefir” and with that knowledge, the health quest began. To be honest, the driving force behind it was fear of COVID.

Purchase the 1st tablespoon of water kefir grains off Facebook marketplace. Started research & learned how to brew by watching YouTube in our home kitchen. A tablespoon quickly grew to a cup.

After weeks of trial and error, we tested the product on friends and family. The response was overwhelmingly positive-both on taste and its impact on digestive issues. Lychee Ginger was a favorite of friends and family. Taste testing proceeded at a coffee shop on University of British Columbia campus.

— SEPTEMBER
Began selling as an in-house brew by 12 oz cups.

— NOVEMBER 2021 to JULY 2022
The next few months were a whirlwind of excitement and anxiety. In the mid of the pandemic with so much uncertainty, interests in local healthy food/beverage were high, but supply chains were on standstill. Sourcing a small quantity of bottles was impossible, not to mention the ridiculous cost that came with it. With determination and some luck, we managed to purchase a small quantity of stubby glass bottles.

— DECEMBER
AHA MOMENT: discovered my severe cat allergy was gone after 6 months of consuming water kefir daily.

2022

— AUGUST TO DECEMBER
THE FUN BEGAN: my designer finalized the brand and logo, and I ordered the first batch of labels. It was a giddy moment when we first applied the labels to the bottles, of course all by hand, one bottle at a time. It was truly a project of passion.

2023

— JANUARY TO SEPTEMBER
SCIENCE LESSON: With luck, a distant cousin with a strong science background took an interest in the complexity of water kefir, in part hoping he might find a natural product to help his own autoimmune disease. His help proved to be very valuable as we dove into the science of fermentation.

Over the next few months, with his help, I learned how to create a more consistent, nutrient-rich kefir. Experimenting with varying sugar concentrations, fermentation times, temperature ranges, resulted in exactly that. By September we had a streamlined process that produced water kefir with a clean, refreshing taste and a high probiotic count. It was a rewarding collaboration that deepened my understanding of both the science behind fermentation and the craft of brewing the magical elixir.

— JUNE
With Fraser Health approval, we started to produce in a commissary kitchen, one bottle at a time. Just enough to help friends and family with their gut issues.

— SEPTEMBER
After just a few months into production, we had to move out of the commissary kitchen, because of a new landlord and an astronomical rent increase. Unsure where to go, we moved back to our basement kitchen while planning the future of Hlth-ee Soda. Luckily our loyal client base was now sold on our delicious, exotic gut helping water kefir and continued to offer their strong support.

— DECEMBER
LUCKY BREAK: Our big break was a generous financial offer to cover start-up costs from a long-time friend and client who believed fiercely in Hlth-ee Soda. She had experienced first-hand the benefits of drinking Hlth-ee soda daily, which was helping her heal from a serious health condition.

“I created a healthy beverage with a focus on helping others. The good karma that followed that is a proof of my belief & principles.”

We found a perfect little warehouse, only 10-minutes drive from home. However, the freezing winter and a health scare delayed construction till the spring.

2024

— MARCH TO JULY
The application process began. We applied the 1st coat of paint, undertook months of renovation, spent thousands on tenant improvements.

— JULY
We received our business license, installed our walking cooler and we were ready to rock and roll… so we thought.

— AUGUST
Brewed the first batch of soda in the new “kitchen”. Just like us, our grains thrive happily in the bright new home.

— SEPTEMBER TO DECEMBER
Our supplier informed us that they discontinued our bottles simply because most of beverage companies moved to cans for cost savings. We scrambled to find different supplier with more time spend on sourcing vs selling☹

Thankfully our sale steadily grew without a formal launch.

2025

The seed that started in my home kitchen had transformed into a business, with a loyal customer base and a growing presence in health and wellness communities.

I started this business alone, but never felt lonely, because on this journey, I have a team of good friends who want to see me succeed & always have my back.

MANY

Thanks

to all of you who have been part of this Hlth-ee journey!

The humble beginning, 1 tablespoon of grains quickly grew...
…gallons turning into thousands of bottles
The birth of Hlth-ee Soda. Our very 1st flavor, a fusion of tradition & innovation.
“Happy as a bug in a rug“. New facility new beginning.
Proudly using Canadian suppliers for our packaging: from bottles, labels to boxes.