Meet Courtney Lorenz | Founder & Idealist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Courtney Lorenz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Courtney, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
As an entrepreneur, every day comes with a measure of risk. The real question is: how much risk can we tolerate, and how deeply do we trust ourselves to follow through on the promises we’ve made to ourselves?

Every morning, as I leave my house, I see notes strategically placed within my view—reminders to keep my subconscious mind aligned with my conscious efforts. Right now, those notes read, “Consistent, Calculated Risk.” It’s a timely reminder that without risk, entrepreneurship wouldn’t exist.

I’ve trained my mind to find comfort in the uncomfortable because that’s where growth happens. Embracing risk is not just a necessity—it’s the pathway to personal and professional transformation.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I launched Cultured Kombucha Co. in 2015, blending the best of flavor and function in kombucha. Our unique flavor pairings are crafted to deliver exceptional taste without sacrificing functional health benefits.

Running a food manufacturing business is multifaceted—it spans sales, distribution, fermentation science, and cold chain logistics. Along the way, we’ve embraced the challenges of scaling and the abundance of learning that comes with it.

As a bootstrapped organization, the journey has been both demanding and rewarding, shaping my entrepreneurial acumen and reinforcing the value of resilience and resourcefulness in building a thriving business.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If I were to refer a friend to Traverse City, I’d say, “Get outside and soak it all in!” We’d kick off the morning with a hike in Leelanau County, making sure to take in the breathtaking views of the big lake that embody everything we love about this area.

For lunch, we’d stop at a local farm stand, enjoying fresh, local offerings. The afternoon? Definitely on the water—sailing on the bay, feeling the breeze, and soaking up the sun. We’d wrap up the day with dinner downtown, savoring the vibrant food scene.

A trip to TC isn’t complete without experiencing both the land and the water—it’s the perfect balance!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I deeply connect my professional success to my spiritual growth. The more intentional work I’ve poured into my relationship with God, the more doors have opened for my business. I’ve been blessed with incredible mentorship from coaches and friends who’ve guided me in aligning my spiritual journey with my professional aspirations.

The past 24 months have been nothing short of transformational—filled with growth, clarity, and a stronger sense of purpose in both my personal and professional life. This alignment has not only shaped my path but also reinforced the foundation on which I build my success.

Website: https://www.drinkcultured.com

Instagram: @culturedkombucha

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/18738572/admin/dashboard/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CulturedKombucha