We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Rita Joubran. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Rita below.

Rita, appreciate you joining us today. Alright, so you had your idea and then what happened? Can you walk us through the story of how you went from just an idea to executing on the idea

Old Country Olive Oil is a product that is centuries old. I wish I could take all the credit for this exceptional extra virgin olive oil; however, the truth is, I owe it all to my ancestors, especially my late grandmother. I do and will take credit for seeing the untapped potential in our olive oil and bringing our company/product to what and where it is today.

My parents started bringing to Houston, some of the harvest for our own personal use, which eventually led to bringing a couple of hundred bottles that they sold in their small, mom and pop Lebanese restaurant, Abdallah’s Bakery and Restaurant (the first Lebanese bakery in Houston). I always knew this product was special but it had never crossed my mind to go into the olive oil business. I just knew it was so good and could tell it was different from other olive oils. Fast-forward a few years, after my diagnosis with multiple sclerosis in 2009, I became passionate about what I ate and learned that consuming foods that were anti-inflammatory, unprocessed, and whole, would play a major role in my recovery/remission. The Mediterranean diet came highly recommended for managing my disease and if you think about it, it’s the only diet that hasn’t gone out of style and it all starts with extra virgin olive oil. Learning that not all olive oils are created equal, I immediately knew that ours was, well, “the good stuff.” When I showed interest in taking over our groves and production, even though my parents and sister gave me their blessing, I’m pretty sure everyone was like “have it” and didn’t really think much would come of it.

I immediately began working on putting my vision, heart, soul, blood, sweat, and tears into every detail of Old Country Olive Oil. I created a label (which I had never done before), a brand, and a mission. I was determined to tell our story of the “old country,” our heritage, culture and pride through every bottle we made. As a born and raised Houstonian, I have so much gratitude for my parents who always made sure we knew where we came from while teaching us to love this great country and land of opportunity.

I am grateful for my grandmother who taught me the process from the first pick to the press. She never took courses or researched the science behind creating an extra virgin olive oil. She didn’t have access to google or the internet-everything she knew, she learned from those who came before her and from trial and error. Today, I take great pride in keeping the tradition going and producing a product that I know my grandmother would be proud of. We pick early and press within 4-6 hours. No one touches an olive until I am on the ground. I am OCD, if you will, about every olive, every bottle, every time. Our product is not mass produced. It is from a single-family source (our own trees), we don’t mix, we don’t blend. Old Country Olive Oil is an unrefined, unfiltered, cold-pressed, extra virgin olive oil-it takes approximately 7-9 kilos of olives to make one liter of our liquid gold.

I believe word of mouth is our best advertisement. Our products do not sit on a store shelf and are only available online or at farmers markets. We sell out every year and never have left over from season to season.

Rita, 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?

My name is Rita Joubran, a born and raised Houstonian. I have been married to the love of my life, Nabil, for 25 years and have 3 amazing children, Anees (AJ), Tanya, and George. My parents immigrated to the United States in the 1960’s from Lebanon and have been bringing culture and heritage to this great city/country ever since. Growing up in Houston, my parents opened the first Lebanese bakery and eventually they opened a small, mom and pop Lebanese restaurant. I worked with them ever since I was 15 years old, so the restaurant business was all I had ever known.

My mom is the most hard-working woman I know. Not only does she work hard, but there really isn’t anything that she can’t or won’t do. If the baker doesn’t show up, she bakes…she may be 5 feet but she is fierce! I think I get my work ethic from her.

Today, Old Country Olive Oil isn’t just olive oil. Every bottle is made with pride, love and care. It is a reflection of me and my heritage. I am also extremely proud that it is also a product that gives back; $5 of every bottle sold is donated to the multiple sclerosis society. Our company has given back over $87,000 in the past 7 years and we are grateful for the opportunity to do what we love while giving back to a cause that is near and dear to our hearts.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

My father, God rest his soul, gave me the cash that I needed to start my business in 2016. He gave it to me as a gift and wished me luck. I am proud to say that I paid him back every cent a year later. Even though he didn’t expect it, I know he was very proud.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I’ve said it so many times but it’s so true, word of mouth is the best advertisement. I refuse to pay someone to talk about Old Country Olive Oil. When I see the word “sponsored” it just makes me feel like maybe they’re just talking about a product because they’re getting paid to do so.

I would like to give a shout-out to my friend, Marcia Smart, from Smart in the Kitchen. She genuinely loves Old Country Olive Oil and uses it in her kitchen. She gave me so much confidence in myself and in my product. It’s one thing to think what you’re doing is amazing, and a whole other thing when someone like Marcia validates it and says it’s good; then you know it is!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.oldcountry-oliveoil.com/
• Instagram: Old Country Olive Oil
• Facebook: Old Country Olive Oil

Image Credits
Megan Snell and Emily Duncan