Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Chemolli.
Hi Erica, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Hi! I’m Erica and I was born in a small village in the northern part of Italy. When I open the doors of my balcony, I am literally in the middle of vineyards. While I was studying psychology at the university, I was working in a restaurant where I became passionate about wine and food.
I studied to become a sommelier, and thanks to an American couple who frequented the restaurant, my life changed. They gave me their business card, and after several years, when I was ready to make a change in my life, I found their email address and wrote to them. That’s when my life changed forever, as I moved to the US!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I moved first to Miami Beach and then to Tampa, where I started working with the US military bases, providing and selling the best Italian food! However, I didn’t mention something important. When I was 20, I tragically lost my mother in a car accident while she was coming to pick me up. After that, I started to develop a skin disorder called VITILIGO.
In Italy, there wasn’t much information available, but once I moved to the US and searched for vitiligo online, a whole new world opened up to me, and vitiligo began to be my passion. I read extensively and even published my first book in the Italian language during the International Vitiligo Day, which is available on Amazon. It’s important to note that 1% of the worldwide population has vitiligo. For example, the model Winnie Harlow became famous, bringing awareness to vitiligo.
Anyway, during my research, I discovered the importance of probiotics in boosting our gut health. I found a connection between a healthy gut and healthy skin, and I became fascinated with Kombucha. More than 2000 years ago, in the East, Kombucha was regularly consumed, and the SCOBY (the yeast necessary to make it and create fermentation) was passed from one household to another to make this incredible tea known as the “tea of the immortal” or the “elixir of youth.”
I started purchasing Kombucha from the market, but as a fitness enthusiast, I found that many of them contained too much sugar. Therefore, I began producing my own at home, with a longer fermentation process that allowed most of the sugar to evaporate. The result was a tasty Kombucha with low sugar and calories, packed with probiotics.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Thanks to vitiligo, I have started producing kombucha and founded Kombucha Queen, which features a panda as its logo symbolizing both my journey with vitiligo and the white patches associated with it. A portion of my sales goes toward supporting vitiligo associations worldwide, contributing to their efforts to research and discover new remedies and cures for vitiligo.
As a proud Italian, I have introduced Kombucha Queen to major Italian grocery stores. However, it’s important to note that while kombucha has a significant presence in the United States, it’s relatively unknown in Italy. This means there’s a substantial amount of work ahead to educate Italian consumers about this new beverage.
Kombucha Queen isn’t just a healthy drink; it has a deeper mission and purpose, promoting vitiligo awareness and research.
I consider vitiligo to be a form of art, where naturally occurring white patches create a unique canvas on the body. This is why I’ve initiated collaborations with artists, such as the talented Pawel Borzym. He sculpted a beautiful panda using his unique technique, which we call “Kombucha Queen – Punk-Da.” We proudly showcased this creation at the prestigious art fair, “Miami Art Basel.”
Promoting a healthy drink while raising vitiligo awareness through the medium of art is not only enjoyable but also meaningful.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting?
Starting a new business is not always easy; in fact, it’s quite challenging! When you work for someone else, you have clear instructions and guidance. However, when you work for yourself, you must make all the decisions and chart your course for success. You need to consider numerous aspects and maintain a comprehensive view of the entire project without depleting your financial resources.
I believe that everyone is born with a unique talent or ability, something they can naturally excel at better than others. When we discover our life’s purpose, everything becomes more manageable. We find ourselves not just working but also enjoying what we do. It becomes a source of fun, a thrilling challenge, an adrenaline rush, a passion, and a source of deep satisfaction.
Therefore, if you have a compelling idea and you believe in it, don’t hesitate to pursue your dreams. Follow your passion, and turn it into a fulfilling and successful endeavor.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.drinkkq.com
- Instagram: @drink_kombuchaqueen
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erica-chemolli-3298ab67/
