My journey as a mission-driven entrepreneur began right here in Maryland where I led a youth service demonstration program in Baltimore. After graduating from the Yale School of Management, I returned to the state determined to build businesses that aligned profit with purpose. From launching Honest Tea out of my Bethesda home with five thermoses and an empty Snapple bottle, to scaling it into a national brand, my work has always been about more than beverages – it’s been about shifting consumer choices toward healthier, more sustainable options.
When Coca-Cola discontinued Honest Tea in 2022, I didn’t see an ending – I saw a calling. Within 90 days, we mobilized and launched Just Ice Tea. Today, it’s the nation’s top-selling organic bottled tea, proof that mission-driven products not only survive but thrive when consumers are hungry for authenticity.
Entrepreneurship as Activism
I’ve always believed entrepreneurs have the power to outmaneuver big food companies by creating foods that reflect the values people care about: health, sustainability, and justice. That’s been my guiding star with Honest Tea, Beyond Meat, PLNT Burger, and now Just Ice Tea. Every venture I’ve co-founded has been rooted in the belief that what we eat impacts not only our bodies but also the planet, farmers, and future generations.
Food is activism. Every sip of organic, Fair Trade tea supports farmers with fair wages and sustainable practices. Every plant-based burger sold at PLNT Burger offers a delicious way to reduce environmental impact. Every innovation is a reminder that business doesn’t have to be a zero-sum game. Through “actionism,” we can serve both shareholders and stakeholders.
For the World
Entrepreneurship is one of the most powerful levers for change. By creating products that are both good for people and good for the planet, we can reshape industries, reimagine supply chains, and redefine what success looks like.
From youth service in Baltimore to organic tea in Bethesda, from Honest Tea to Just Ice Tea, I’ve seen firsthand how a mission can turn into a movement. The future of food – and of business – belongs to those willing to put values at the center of their ventures. And there’s still lots of impact to be made.
