Watch more bendBEAT episodes with local Bend leaders, business owners and community members here – bendbeat.com
Learn more about Humm, their story, and how their success as a local business in Bend, Oregon relied heavily on the support of the local community. We were blown away by the refreshing perspective and philosophy Eric and Michelle shared with us about facing challenges of a growing town, what it means to be a true citizen in a community, and how each of us can contribute in our own way.
Michelle Mitchell and Eric Platenberg had been making homemade kombucha for years before embarking on the adventure of turning it into a business. After moving to Bend, Oregon in 2008, Michelle quickly met her future business partner and Humm co-founder Jamie Danek, and the two partnered to create Kombucha Mama, which was originally found and sold at Bend’s local farmer’s markets. Fast forward to 2022, and what started in Michelle and Eric’s kitchen has now turned into a nationally recognized kombucha brand known as Humm. With 80+ employees, Humm has become a highly sought after local employer built on Michelle’s original questions of, “is it possible to create a business, the place where adults spend most of their waking hours, where we take care of each other? Is the business world ready to be treated like we treat our closest friends and family? Can it be a thriving community where we all have each other’s backs and we all support our family at the same time? Turns out it can, and they did!
As stated on Humm’s about page – At Humm, every position and person is equally valued. We’re all in this together, and there is an overwhelming sentiment that every Humm-ster feels in which they know that their job is as important as any other job in the company. Everyone shares in each success, and everyone learns from every failure. Many new positions are filled from within the company, fostering a sense of continuity and opportunity.
With a growing product line and a bright future, this is just the beginning for this home-grown brand that Bend is proud to call their own and emphatically share with anyone who has yet to try Kombucha.
If you’re in Bend, visit the Humm taproom to try their full product line – 1125 NE 2ND ST. BEND, OR 97701
Learn more about Humm – hummkombucha.com