We were lucky to catch up with Krista Cloud recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Krista , 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 idea really came from our lifestyle and the kind of drinks we wanted to see in the world. My husband Ty and I have always been passionate about being active outdoors- biking, climbing, running and exploring Arkansas’ trails — and we wanted something refreshing that actually made us feel good after a long day outside. We started brewing kombucha at home, experimenting with fruits, herbs, and botanicals that felt both energizing and natural.
When we began sharing our drinks with friends and at local markets and events, people connected not only with the taste but also with the intention behind them. Beverages that supported wellness and adventure. That response encouraged us to grow from kombucha into a broader line of functional beverages.
Today, our lineup includes both kombucha and sodas infused with functional mushrooms like Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps, and Reishi. Every drink we make is crafted to inspire people to feel a little more balanced, focused, or uplifted. Whether they’re out exploring trails or just navigating everyday life.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
My name is Krista, and together with my husband Ty, I co-founded Natural State Beverage Company, a craft beverage brand based in Rogers, Arkansas. Our journey started not in a boardroom but on the trail . We’re lifelong outdoor enthusiasts who spend as much time as possible connecting, moving and exploring with our two kids, Eileen and Hank. The name Natural State is both a nod to our home in Arkansas and to what we believe good beverages should be: natural, intentional, and deeply connected to a lifestyle of adventure and wellbeing.
We first started brewing kombucha and fruit-infused sodas at home, which was really just a creative outlet that matched our love for flavor and function. We shared them with friends on bikepacking trips and community gatherings, and before long, those same friends started asking how they could buy them. What began as a farmers’ market table evolved into a production facility in downtown Rogers, where we now craft a full line of kombucha flavors and modern sodas. Our new sodas are a fun low sugar, fruit-forward beverage infused with ingredients like Lion’s Mane and Cordyceps,
Our products bridge the gap between traditional soda and wellness beverage. We saw a need for something that still felt fun and nostalgic but without all the processed ingredients. Each can is designed to bring intention back into the everyday; whether you’re gearing up for an adventure, settling into a creative flow, or simply enjoying a mindful moment.
What sets us apart is our authenticity and connection to community. We’ve grown organically through farmers’ markets, local events, and word-of-mouth, not big ad campaigns. We’re deeply rooted in Northwest Arkansas and collaborate with other small businesses whenever possible. From using local suppliers to supporting local events, our brand is as much about people as it is about product.
We’re also proud that every bit of growth so far has been self-funded. We’ve built our facility, scaled production, and expanded distribution through grit, creativity, and a lot of heart. Now we’re stepping into the next chapter, but follow us and stay tuned for that!
At the end of the day, I want people to know that Natural State Beverage Company is more than a beverage brand, it’s an invitation to slow down, reconnect with what fuels you, and find your own “natural state.” Whether that’s summiting a trail, chasing a creative dream, or sharing a drink with good company, we hope our drinks add a spark of intention and adventure to your day.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
Honestly, my first response would be to chuckle and say, “everyday.” That’s what owning a business is all about: the ability to pivot, to recognize when an idea or plan is no longer the best path forward, and to stay humble enough to admit when you might need to course-correct.
One of our biggest pivots came early on, when I thought our path was going to be all about events. We launched an event business called Touring the Ozarks, where we hosted an outdoor bike event that combined community, cycling, and local food and beverage. It was an amazing grass root experience and truly life-changing. The event brought people together in such an organic and joyful way that it reminded me what I loved most: creating meaningful experiences and connections through what we make.
But what I realized afterward was that while I loved hosting events, the true heart of our work wasn’t the event itself. It was the beverage we shared along the way. The homemade sodas and kombucha we served at that event were what people kept talking about, asking for, and connecting over. That was the lightbulb moment that shifted our entire direction and set us on the course that became Natural State Beverage Company.
So while “pivoting” can sound like abandoning an idea, I’ve learned it’s really about following the signal of what’s resonating most. It’s about staying open, adaptable, and willing to learn in real time. Every turn, even the unexpected ones, has shaped who we are and how we serve our community today.
We’d really appreciate if you could talk to us about how you figured out the manufacturing process.
Yes, we do! Every can of Natural State Beverage Co. is made by us right here in our downtown Rogers production facility. What began as a few homebrewed batches in our kitchen has grown into a small but mighty operation built with a lot of determination, late nights, and heart.
My husband Ty and I have always been makers at heart. We love the outdoors, good food, and sharing experiences with friends. About 14 years ago, we started brewing beer at home, experimenting with flavors and ingredients just for the fun of it. When Ty decided to quit drinking in 2017, we didn’t lose our love for the craft — we simply redirected it. Using everything we had learned from years of homebrewing, we began creating kombucha and fruit-infused sodas that captured the same sense of creativity and community, but in a way that aligned with our evolving lifestyle.
We’d bring our drinks along on outdoor trips or to share after long rides and climbs, and people started asking where they could buy them. That curiosity eventually led us to host our first semi-supported backpacking event, where everything clicked. Watching people connect over our drinks and seeing the joy they brought made it clear that this was something worth pursuing.
In 2021, we officially launched Natural State Beverage Company and began selling our drinks at the Bentonville Farmers Market. Those early market days were some of my favorites. We learned so much by talking directly with customers and watching them light up when they found a flavor they loved. The feedback and community support gave us the confidence to grow.
By 2022, we took a big leap, purchasing our own building in downtown Rogers and building out a production facility ourselves. Every piece of equipment, every canning run, every recipe refinement has been done with the same hands-on care we started with. Today, we produce all of our beverages in-house — from nostalgic craft soda to modern soda infused with mushrooms and kombucha. All our drinks are small batch and made with real ingredients.
We’ve stayed true to our roots: small batch, intentional, and community-driven. Owning our manufacturing process allows us to maintain quality, experiment with flavor, and keep that sense of craft alive. It’s not always the easiest path, but it’s the one that keeps us closest to our purpose; creating beverages that feel as authentic and adventurous as the people who drink them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.naturalstatebeveragecompany.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naturalstatebeveragecompany/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Natural-State-Beverage-Company/100069813409096/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krista-cloud-3b33a72b7
Image Credits
Yoofi Otabil
Emily Sierra