Yerba Madre is a brand nearly synonymous with its namesake ingredient. But in a country where most consumers have never even heard of yerba mate, a caffeine-laden herbal infusion native to South America, how do you build a household name around it?

Guiding that vision is Ben Mand, who was named CEO of Yerba Madre in March 2024. Formerly known as Guayakí, the company has been pioneering yerba mate-based beverages since 1996, offering both loose-leaf and ready-to-drink formats. Today, the brand generates nearly $200 million in annual sales and is stocked in natural and conventional retailers nationwide.

In this episode, Ben shares how Yerba Madre is evolving beyond its West Coast roots with a bold mission: to introduce yerba mate to the 96% of Americans who still don't know what it is. But this is about more than a beverage. Ben sees it as an opportunity to reshape how people think about clean, plant-based energy.

He discusses the balance between visionary leadership and operational discipline, reigniting innovation, thinking like a founder, and scaling responsibly all while remaining rooted in the company's deeper mission: advancing regenerative agriculture in South America and building a brand that stands for purpose, authenticity, and cultural respect.

Note: This episode was recorded during the breakdown of our BevNET Live Summer 2025 event and you may hear some background clatter. Our apologies for the occasional bang or boom.

Show notes:

0:25: Interview: Ben Mand, CEO, Yerba Madre – Ben talks about the history of Yerba Madre and why its rebrand from Guayaki reflects its mission more clearly via a name that's more inclusive and easier for consumers to pronounce. He also highlights the functional benefits of yerba mate and emphasizes the company's regenerative business model that supports the environment and indigenous communities. Ben discusses Yerba Madre's consumer base, which is made up of primarily younger, health-conscious individuals who seek natural energy and live active lifestyles and how word-of-mouth and the simplified brand name help grow awareness. He also explains how the company is targeting convenience stores, natural retailers, and club stores to reach new consumers and how its innovation team is enhancing the brand's appeal by identifying trends and creating accessible, flavor-forward products that broaden the appeal of yerba mate. Ben also talks about how he leads with purpose and passion, using his humble roots to build company culture and why he views business as a key driver of positive social and environmental change.

Brands in this episode: Yerba Madre, Harmless Harvest, Patagonia