We caught up with the brilliant and insightful George Agutu a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi George, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

The Story Behind Herbal Cider
As a kid, I was always experimenting with ways to feel better. Struggling with asthma and bronchitis, I turned to natural remedies—especially clove tea, which became a staple in my routine. I hated taking medicine, so I started making my own version of a healing drink by mixing cloves, cinnamon, and honey into warm water. It was my little homemade remedy, something that brought comfort when I needed it most.

But even then, I found one thing frustrating: tea always felt incomplete if I was missing just one ingredient. If I ran out of honey or forgot to add cinnamon, it didn’t taste right. I wanted something that had everything in one, something I could just make without thinking about it.

Years later, in college, I studied holistic health and discovered the deeper benefits of herbs beyond what I had known as a child. I learned about ashwagandha for stress relief, ginger for digestion, and countless other herbs with incredible properties. That’s when I had a realization—what if I took the drink I used to make as a kid and updated it? What if I created something that had all the benefits in one blend, without needing to add anything extra?

That’s how Herbal Cider was born. I took the core of what I loved as a child and refined it, carefully selecting herbs to create well-rounded, effortless blends. No extra steps, no missing ingredients—just add water or milk, and it’s ready.

More than just a drink, Herbal Cider is a bridge to herbal knowledge. I wanted to create something that makes it easy for people to enjoy the benefits of herbs, whether they’re new to holistic wellness or have been using herbs for years. What started as a childhood remedy has now become a way to share the power of nature with others—one sip at a time.

George, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

When I studied holistic health in college, I realized there wasn’t an **instant, convenient herbal solution** that was both enjoyable and effective. Many drinks on the market were either loaded with sugar and caffeine or completely unsweetened and too bitter to enjoy consistently. I saw a need for a **healthy, caffeine-free alternative that people would actually want to drink daily**—something that bridged the gap between wellness and convenience.

That’s why I created **Herbal Cider**—a collection of blends designed to support **sleep, digestion, anxiety, immunity, cold & flu relief, sinus issues, headaches, and more**. Each blend is carefully crafted with powerful herbs, eliminating the need for extra ingredients. Just add water or milk, and it’s ready to enjoy.

What sets us apart is our ability to **make herbal wellness effortless.** Many people struggle to stay disciplined with health routines they don’t enjoy, but our cider offers the perfect balance—delicious, functional, and easy to incorporate into daily life. Since launching, we’ve seen **monumental growth**, as more people are looking for alternatives to overly sugary, high-caffeine drinks or bitter herbal remedies they can’t stick with.

At **Herb Roots and Company**, our mission is simple: **make herbal wellness easy, enjoyable, and accessible.** Whether you’re new to herbs or looking for a better way to stay consistent with your health, our blends are here to support you—one sip at a time.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

### **Resilience in the Journey of Herbal Cider**

When I first started selling **Herbal Cider**, I took it directly to **farmers’ markets**, believing it was the perfect place to connect with health-conscious customers. But what I quickly learned was that **not every market was the right fit**. Some days, sales were great, and people resonated with the product. Other days, I barely sold anything, and I left feeling discouraged, wondering if I had made the right decision.

Each failure, however, taught me something valuable. I had to **refine my messaging, find the right audience, and adapt to what worked.** Instead of giving up, I experimented with different approaches—changing how I presented the product, adjusting my target markets, and learning what resonated most with customers. Eventually, I found the markets and audiences that truly **valued** what Herbal Cider had to offer.

That experience reinforced my belief in **persistence and adaptability**. Success didn’t come overnight, but by pushing through setbacks, learning from them, and refining my approach, I was able to build something stronger. Now, as Herbal Cider continues to grow, I look back at those challenging moments as some of the most valuable lessons in my journey.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

### **Unlearning the Need for Immediate Outcomes**

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was **having high expectations for immediate success and tying my happiness to outcomes**. I used to believe that if I put in the work, results should follow quickly. Whether it was growing **Herbal Cider**, making the right business connections, or even personal goals, I expected things to unfold according to my vision. When they didn’t, it led to frustration and self-doubt.

Over time, I realized that **growth isn’t about instant results—it’s about consistent effort, adaptability, and trust in the process.** I had to become **outcome-independent**, meaning I focus on showing up, putting in the work, and improving over time, rather than obsessing over when or how success happens.

A perfect example of this was my mindset about moving into a house. At one point, I was so focused on upgrading my living situation that I wasn’t fully appreciating or investing in the space I already had. I had to shift my mindset—**before I could move into a house, I needed to take care of and grow within my apartment.** That meant creating a space I loved, being intentional with my daily habits, and making sure I was ready for the next level, rather than rushing into it.

That lesson translated into my business as well. Instead of expecting Herbal Cider to grow overnight, I started focusing on **building a strong foundation**—refining my branding, understanding my customers, and making sure my systems were solid. That shift in mindset has not only helped me stay grounded but also made my progress more sustainable.

Now, I embrace the journey, knowing that as long as I keep improving and showing up, the results will take care of themselves in time.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://herbrootsco.com
• Instagram: herbrootsco
• Facebook: herb, roots and company