Maractha talks to us about her journey in setting up a Matcha business

Tell us about Maratcha

Maratcha is an antidote to unhealthy drinks, where we’re starting with sustainable matcha. Drinks that are not only good for you but also for our planet. Our name is a combination of my middle name Mara and cha meaning tea. It was actually thought of by my brother and reminded me of a tropical Latin dance.

Tell us about your journey and how you founded Maratcha

It was the summer of 2017, on a beach in Bali, where I discovered the magic of matcha. An energy boost like coffee minus the jitters and crash. I knew I had gold in my hands. Back home and tired of drinks full of sugar and bad chemicals. It was time for a change. No more weird stuff and only 100% natural ingredients.

Being 21, I started Maratcha as an antidote to unhealthy drinks. Sourced some of the best matcha on the planet from small organic & sustainable family farms in Uji, Japan, and brought it here for you to enjoy.

Tell us about Maratcha’s values and sustainability practices

Before Maratcha I picked up trash each morning in my neighborhood and came home with a full bag over and over again. Back home I emailed companies asking them to do something about it... but there was usually no reply.

This made me think about my values as a whole. I told myself that I would make Maratcha a company that would fight for environmental sustainability.

Our vision is to be 100% planet-friendly. From reducing our overall packaging, shipping carbon neutral to investing in post-consumer recycled materials, we put sustainability at the core of everything we do.

By using packaging that doesn’t harm our planet made from 70% FSC post-consumer recycled trees … uhm … paper I mean. We ensured our matcha tins are all 100% recyclable and are chemical free. We print with vegetable ink in one of the greenest printing houses in the Netherlands. It might not be perfect yet, but small steps go a long way.

We also donate 1% of our profits to non-profit organisations dedicated to rescuing chimpanzees and giving free education and shelter to children in need in Guinea, West-Africa.

What has been your biggest challenge and how have you overcome it?

The biggest challenge so far has been learning how to set up a business and everything that comes with it. Fresh out of university with a huge amount of knowledge, the reality is that you cannot learn how to run a business just from a textbook. Luckily, I have some great mentors who help me along the way.

What is your dream project?

My dream project would be to collaborate with a fashion brand such as Balenciaga. I think mixing high-end fashion with a beverage brand creates a unique experience unlike any other. Maratcha not only started out of love for Matcha, but also wanting to create a space where people have fun, feel inspired and connected.

What is your vision for Maratcha in the next 5-10 years?

In the future, I hope Maratcha is a renowned brand in the food-bev space for its healthy, sustainable and innovative drinks. Today, we are building hard to establish deep roots in the health and wellness community and have a reputation for quality products and new age branding. We truly strive to make an impact and embrace being different.

As a Dutch brand, we want to expand internationally and be available at your favorite retailers such as Sephora, Urban Outfitters, Nordstrom, Goop, etc. Who knows … we might even open a brick and mortar location along the way.

 What do you think we need to do support a sustainable and regenerative future?

It is really important to educate people on the environmental challenges we are facing at the moment and how we can do little things to combat climate change. This might be going completely zero waste to bringing a reusable cup to your favorite café. Every improvement is necessary and just as valuable.

Your top three recommendations for anyone looking to venture into or learn more about sustainability

I actually love to watch van life and living off-grid videos. Usually those people implement so many sustainable practices into their lives and I have learned so much through them. Definitely recommend watching exploring alternatives on YouTube.

What advice would you give to women and other female founders on this International Women’s Day?

Do not be afraid to chase your dreams. You are more than capable, powerful and knowledgeable. Nobody can stop you. I reached out to a ton of female founders when I just started Maratcha and they helped me a lot along the way. Just slide into their DM’s and ask them a question 😊 It is also so important to stay grounded despite outside critique, whether positive or negative. As women we have a great intuition and I think the best advice would be to follow it.

 Advice for other sustainable business?

Plant little seeds everywhere, those seeds will turn into trees one day. Even when you cannot change the whole industry yet, do the little things that make a difference. Ultimately, someone has to start doing it.