[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 162 (Tuesday, October 15, 2019)]
[Senate]
[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.

                          ____________________