Growing Native Tea with Bryon White of Yaupon Brothers
In this conversation, Bryon White, co-founder of Yaupon Brothers, discusses the unique qualities and benefits of Yaupon, the only caffeine-containing plant native to North America. He shares insights into the history of Yaupon, its cultivation, and the innovative flavored blends that have emerged. The discussion also covers their recent influencer branded products and the importance of building authentic relationships with influencers for successful marketing. We discuss the challenges faced by the CPG industry, and the role of regenerative agriculture in sustainable farming practices. Bryon emphasizes the need for entrepreneurs to understand their customers and the significance of leaving the world better than we found it.
Takeaways:
Yaupon is the only caffeine-containing plant native to North America.
Historically, Yaupon was widely consumed across various cultures for its energizing and medicinal properties.
Yaupon offers a smoother taste compared to traditional teas due to its lower tannin content.
Theobromine in Yaupon provides a chill energy boost without jitters.
Yaupon Brothers focuses on cultivating unique varietals for better tea production.
Flavored Yaupon blends have gained popularity, appealing to a broader audience.
Building authentic relationships with influencers can lead to successful collaborations.
Regenerative agriculture practices are integral to Yaupon cultivation.
Entrepreneurs should prioritize understanding their customers before launching products.
The CPG industry faces challenges with rising costs across the supply chain, local production is a big win.
Chapters
03:00 Introduction to Yaupon and Its Significance
05:50 Health Benefits and Unique Qualities of Yaupon
08:48 Consumer Reactions and Perceptions of Yaupon
11:41 Yaupon Varietals and Flavored Blends
14:41 The Founding Story of Yaupon Brothers
17:41 Processing Yaupon and Its Accessibility
20:45 Affiliate Marketing and Influencer Collaborations
23:48 Successful Collaborations and Product Development
26:45 Future of Affiliate Marketing and Building Relationships
41:51 The Shift in Investment Landscape
44:52 Challenges in Starting New Ventures
47:44 Influencer Collaborations and Market Expansion
52:37 Embracing Regenerative Agriculture
58:03 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
01:06:32 Defining a Better World
Sound Bites
“Yaupon has been associated with mental, spiritual, and physical purity for at least 8,000 years, probably longer than that. And only in the last 150, 200 years has it really sort of been forgotten about.”
“Yaupon is the only caffeine source native to North America.”
“It's very similar to tea in terms of its caffeine content, but with a higher ratio of theobromine to caffeine, meaning that it's a way more chill experience.”
"Flavored Yaupon blends have gained popularity."
“Yaupon is the only caffeinated holly native to in North America. The other two are in South America and those are yerba mate and wayusa.”
“Yaupon trees provide habitat for wildlife, they provide food for pollinators, they help stabilize the soil, and when we harvest the trees, we tend to put the woody material from the harvesting process back into the soil, so there could be like a carbon sequestration component as well.”
“We were able to give Uncle Pappy a way to monetize his following without doing things that he wasn't comfortable doing. Without selling out, so to speak.”
“We have a 5 % give back to Friends of the Everglades, which was something that Uncle Pappy cared about a lot and something that we jive with.”
"The CPG industry faces rising costs and challenges."
"Social media has made us dumb and inconsiderate."
