Last Call Kombucha

Santa Fe, NM

Kiana has always been inspired by her summers growing up in the Dominican Republic and loving the drink, kombucha. This led to launching her own business. “I determined that now was the time,” says Kiana. “I reached out to every available start-up resource I could find in Santa Fe. I had met with a WESST team member at different events and learned more about the organization, and the connection was made.” 

Kiana had been making and selling her beverages locally, but she wanted to broaden her network, find a way to produce more kombucha, set up a business, and make the beverage more mainstream. Kiana worked with WESST to map out her production process, understand business forecasting, and manage inventory.  

One of the biggest turning points for her was her largest vending opportunity, the International Folk Art Market. “Honestly, I wasn’t sure how I was going to pull it off, but with WESST’s encouragement, logistical support, and those honest ‘you can do this’ conversations, I went for it. In six weeks, I scaled production four times my normal supply and pulled together a team of 15 volunteers. Seeing people line up for kombucha I had once brewed in my home kitchen felt surreal.” 

Through WESST, Kiana also became connected with the New Mexico Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NM MEP), an essential support for her production. Last Call Kombucha began as a small passion project in Kiana’s kitchen, inspired by her culture and love for creating community, and has since expanded to meeting supply and demand in a commercial kitchen. 

My business is on a great trajectory that makes me feel good about bringing my childhood drink into people’s lives. WESST hasn't just helped me grow my business—they've helped me grow my confidence, my systems, and my magic toolbox as a business owner.

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