Rana Lehmer-Chang, owner & founder of House Kombucha

Published by Leonardo Calcagno

Who are you and what is your background?

My name is Rana Lehmer-Chang. I studied Religion and am a Baha’i.

Your current job:

I am the founder and President of House Kombucha

In which city:

Founded in San Francisco, now brewed in the East Bay (San Leandro)

How did you discover kombucha?

My mom used to brew it growing up.

What prompted you to start your company?

The Baha’i Faith teaches freedom from the use of alcoholic beverages and it is my interpretation that this is because alcohol is highly commercialized and abused. I believe society we will transition away from inebriating beverages and there will be an increasing market for healthy non-intoxicating craft brewed drinks.

I also needed a job because I had graduated law school and was not inspired by the job opportunities there.

What makes your product unique?

House Kombucha is a tea forward brand. We focus on the different types of tea used in each flavor and add dried herbs, flowers, fruits and extracts to accentuate the unique flavors already provided by the tea. The result is a very robust, satisfying beverage that is naturally low in sugar and calories.

What do you want to convey through your brand image?

The hearts of San Francisco is the basis for the logo. The heart is also suggestive of House music, P.L.U.R (peace, love, unity, respect) and the bricks and stand represent the importance of having a solid foundation.

What are the main challenges in your company?

Clutter and organization.

What tools are essential for your work(app, software)?

Quickbooks and Google Drive

A word to define what type of worker you are:

Strategic

What does your office space look like?

Half sipped bottles of kombucha, coffee, and other snacks soiling rather important financial documents.

Do you have a way to organize your days to optimize your work?

It’s really more about organizing my mind first!

What tips would you give to improve productivity?

Number one, show up. Number two, archive your emails, all of them, except the present day or unfinished emails.

What is the best advice you have been given?

Don’t be in such a hurry.

What are your end-of-day and early-day routine?

I tend to get a late start no matter what. I move slowly in the mornings. At night I do yoga, chant “Allahu’abha” (Glory of the All-Glorious in Arabic) 95 times and then watch an exciting TV series with my husband.