Babe Kombucha at USD

Local kombucha business shares story and strong connection to the USD community

Catherine Silvey / Feature Editor / The USD Vista

The kombucha craze has engulfed the University of San Diego. Several brands and varieties of the popular beverage can be found at campus store Tu Mercado, including the products of local company Babe Kombucha, which is located just down the hill on Linda Vista Road.
San Diego native Charles Turecek took up brewing kombucha in his garage as a hobby in 2016. After reconnecting with Vinnie Pavan, they began brainstorming business ideas for running a health foods company.
Pavan, a Brazilian entrepreneur and former band manager, had a lot of experience with marketing and e-commerce, but had always wanted to enter the health food industry with a product he was very passionate about.
The partners worked together to conceive the idea of their business. In search of a quality product, the partners hired brewmaster Travis Davenport to help refine their flavors. He also became a partner in late 2017.
“The inspiration behind the name ‘Babe’ comes from Charles’ grandmother,” Pavan said. “She was the youngest of seven children and no one knew her name. Everyone called her Babe. She loved the sunset, ocean, and fresh fruits.”
The flavors at Babe Kombucha are a mix of local fruits and high-end teas from Asia. Traditional Brazilian ingredients like açaí and pineapple are also incorporated. Davenport expressed that using such fresh ingredients made the strong flavors of kombucha more palatable for the everyday consumer.
“Our kombucha requires a less-acquired taste,” Davenport said.
In addition to creating products, Pavan asserts that the mission of Babe Kombucha was more than just brewing and selling tea. The business partners strive to make the kombucha tasting room a cool and cozy hangout spot for San Diegans and the USD community to enjoy.
Junior Halle Campbell has been a Babe Kombucha regular since her first year at USD.
“I love Babe Kombucha because of how personal they are,” Campbell said. “They remember everyone’s name who walks in the door. It’s a place you feel at home. They always greet me with a big smile.”
Campbell is one student among others that have formed strong relationships with Babe. From basketball and rugby games to fundraising events to the Alcalá Bazaar, Babe Kombucha consistently appears at USD events.
“We have created such a strong bond with USD,” Pavan said. “We love supporting USD sports teams, clubs on campus, and fundraisers. We always post USD undergraduate and graduate students on our Instagram because we love them so much. It is so special to have that support returned and see our product sold at Tu Mercado.”
The relationship Babe Kombucha has established with its local community is not the only one contributive to its success. Vinne Pavan only had positive things to say about working together with family members as business partners.
“We know that our work extends just eight-hour work days, but that’s when we know we can count on each other,” Vinne Pavan said. “It is a great team because we are in love with the people we work with.”
The owners of Babe Kombucha attribute many of their achievements to the strong connection of family not only within the business’ management team, but also within its network of customers.
“It is amazing to see how our customers form relationships,” Quadros said. “Customers sit at our kombucha bar and connect. We have seen our customers become friends and our family.”
In regard to his success as an entrepreneur, Vinne Pavan cited both his perseverance and passion for his craft as key components to Babe Kombucha’s prosperity.
“Patience is golden,” Pavan said. “You need to work a lot and you need to be passionate about your work. Make sure you like what you do, or you will give up. It takes time to see results.”
Babe Kombucha products are sold in over 300 businesses from San Diego to Los Angeles, and the company has no plans of stopping. Babe Kombucha is optimistic about both strengthening its relationship with the USD community and expanding into new regions.