The entrepreneurs who win the ‘game’ are the ones who keep going when the going gets tough! Joining us today on Hazard Girls is the CEO of Health-Ade, Daina Trout. Daina has an impressive resume and is passionate about gut health. In this episode, you will hear all about the positive effect kombucha and other fermented foods have on your health, the difference between prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics, and how to determine the status of your gut health. We discuss how Daina became interested in gut health, what inspired her to start her company, and what it is like to work in a “male-populated” industry as well as how to navigate the unfair assumptions that come with being a woman. Daina also shares some words of wisdom with us as she explains the importance of educating people tactfully; particularly when it comes to sexism in the workplace. You’ll learn about Daina’s philosophy of getting back on the horse to be a winner, and how her biggest mistakes turned into her biggest lessons. Finally, we talk about Health-Ade’s plans for the future. To hear all this and to unlock one of the keys of success as an entrepreneur, press play now!
Sn. 4, #16 Founding Health-Ade Kombucha: Daina Trout
Emily Soloby
Emily received her BA in Women’s Studies and JD from Temple University. Early on, she worked as a legal advocate for women in domestic violence cases. After practicing law, Emily began working on the business side of things. She is the co-owner of AAA School of Trucking, a truck and heavy equipment safety training firm, which she has spent the last 10 years growing into a thriving national business through government and military contracting and corporate partnerships.
As an executive in the transportation industry, darting from client meeting to trucking range required safety boots that met her style standards, and when she couldn’t find them anywhere, she created Juno Jones Shoes. Emily trained in shoemaking in Cuernavaca, Mexico and at the Brooklyn Shoe Space, and assembled a powerhouse team of designers, consultants, and industry experts to bring Juno Jones to life. Through Juno Jones Shoes, Emily is fulfilling her dream of not only providing women with safe, stylish footwear options for their jobs but of helping to normalize and empower women in traditionally male-dominated fields.
For more information go to junojonesshoes.com.
Daina Trout Co-Founder & CEO of Health-Ade Kombucha
Daina Trout co-founded Health-Ade Kombucha in 2012 alongside her husband, Justin Trout, and best friend, Vanessa Dew. Since the beginning, the trio has been committed to brewing the best tasting and highest quality kombucha on the market. Trout first learned how to brew kombucha during her tenure at Tufts University, where she earned Masters’ degrees both in Nutrition and Public Health after receiving her BS from Georgetown University. During that time, she also developed her personal philosophy that health is less about science, and more about what makes you feel good and happy. After graduation, Trout moved to Los Angeles to accept a position working in pharmaceuticals but continued to cultivate an interest in holistic and “real” food that fuels a hard-working lifestyle. Trout funneled this energy into an entrepreneurship club she formed with Justin and Vanessa to explore ways they could combine their diverse backgrounds into a successful business venture; the result, Health-Ade. Trusting what soon became the company’s motto to “follow your gut,” Trout and her cofounders quit their jobs to focus on Health-Ade full time, brewing kombucha in her apartment closet and selling bottles at a local LA farmers market. Over the course of the last nine years, Trout has nurtured what started as a small production and niche product into what has become a national brand that is sold at 45,000 grocery stores and health food markets nationwide, including major retailers like Target, Whole Foods and Costco. Today, Health-Ade is currently the fastest growing brand in its category for three years in a row and is projected to significantly expand its business nationwide each year under her leadership as Chief Mission Officer. In 2019, Daina was included on Inc’s Female Founder 100 list and was also named BevNet’s Person Of The Year. The same year, she was a semifinalist in EY’s Entrepreneur of the Year program and is a member of the Young Presidents Organization, a premier community of chief executives from around the world. In 2020, Daina was highlighted on Entrepreneur’s 100 Powerful Women list, and was a feature guest on NPR’s How I Built This. When Trout is not tirelessly working to bring kombucha to every fridge in America, she is spending time with her husband and two sons, traveling, adventuring, cooking and enjoying outdoor life.
