Meet the Kombucha Mama: How She Built a Global Fermentation Movement

What starts with one sip of kombucha and grows into an international movement... Meet Hannah Ruhamah Crum, known around the world as the Kombucha Mama, founder of Kombucha Kamp, author, educator, and co-founder of Kombucha Brewers International. In this FoundHER & FundHER founder interview, Lisa McCarthy sits down with Hannah to explore her remarkable journey from teaching kombucha workshops in her Los Angeles home to helping shape the global kombucha industry. Hannah describes herself as a bacteria farmer who cultivates the living cultures used to make kombucha, Jun, milk kefir, and water kefir. What began as a personal passion for fermented foods evolved into a business built around education, fermentation cultures, books, industry advocacy, and community. Along the way, Hannah helped establish Kombucha Brewers International, supported commercial and home brewers, and co-authored The Big Book of Kombucha, published in 2016. She also helped develop the Kombucha Code of Practice, an initiative designed to bring greater transparency and clarity to how kombucha is made and labeled. Today, Hannah is preparing for her next chapter with Your Daily Ferments, a new book and online fermentation festival exploring fermented foods, microbial communities, and the connections between food, health, and the world around us. In this conversation, you'll discover: How Hannah became known as the Kombucha Mama Why she started teaching kombucha workshops from her Los Angeles home How Kombucha Kamp grew into an international fermentation business What a SCOBY is and why fermentation cultures matter How Hannah helped establish Kombucha Brewers International Why the Kombucha Code of Practice matters to consumers and producers The story behind The Big Book of Kombucha What's coming next with Your Daily Ferments Hannah's vision for an interactive microbial art and science experience Why she's seeking connections with artists, funders, researchers, and creative partners How community building has shaped her entrepreneurial journey Hannah also shares an important lesson for founders: meaningful growth is not always about controlling every outcome. Sometimes it's about creating the right conditions for something extraordinary to develop. CONNECT WITH HANNAH RUHAMAH CRUM Kombucha Kamp: https://www.kombuchakamp.com Kombucha Brewers International: https://kombuchabrewers.org Learn more about Hannah's fermentation education, cultures, books, and upcoming programs through her websites. ABOUT FOUNDHER & FUNDHER FoundHER & FundHER is a community where women founders and investors build real relationships. Founded by Lisa McCarthy, the community brings together women entrepreneurs, founders, investors, and business leaders through intimate lunches, educational experiences, and meaningful conversations designed to create opportunities for collaboration, introductions, partnerships, funding relationships, and business growth. We believe the right relationships can help turn ambitious ideas into real opportunities. Learn more: https://www.FoundHERandFundHER.com **Hannah discusses several potential health benefits of fermented foods and microbes. Those are her perspectives and experiences from the interview, not independently verified medical findings. The YouTube copy focuses on her entrepreneurial accomplishments and educational mission without presenting those health claims as established treatments. Subscribe for more conversations with women founders who are building businesses, challenging conventional thinking, and creating meaningful change. #KombuchaMama #HannahCrum #KombuchaKamp #WomenFounders #FemaleEntrepreneurs #Fermentation #GutHealth #WomenInBusiness #FounderStory #FoundHERandFundHER Time Chapter 00:00 Meet Hannah Ruhamah Crum, the Kombucha Mama 00:48 What Kombucha Kamp Does 00:52 How Hannah Discovered Kombucha 02:32 From Home Workshops to an Online Business 03:12 Founding Kombucha Brewers International 03:52 The Big Book of Kombucha 04:13 Establishing the Kombucha Code of Practice 05:42 The KBI Verified Seal 06:21 Introducing Your Daily Ferments 08:26 The Upcoming Fermentation Festival 10:03 Fermentation, Microbes and the Environment 11:02 Where to Learn More About Hannah 12:17 The Partners and Funders Hannah Wants to Meet 14:05 Why FoundHER & FundHER Community Matters