We recently had the chance to connect with Dr. Yvonne Ochieng and have shared our conversation below.
Yvonne, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
When I start my day, I like to begin with a quiet moment of connection with God. I spend some time in praise and worship, read a bit of the Bible, and journal my thoughts and reflections. It really sets the tone for the day and helps me feel aligned with the tasks ahead.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Dr. Yvonne. I’m a board-certified clinical pharmacist, the founder of LEAFBERRI Teas, and a fourth-generation tea producer from Kenya. I’m also a wife and a mom of four wonderful daughters, and my husband Job and I have been together for over 30 years. Our family’s legacy of tea cultivation in the Kenyan highlands is at the heart of what we do.
At LEAFBERRI, we blend my clinical expertise with our rich tea heritage to offer premium, organically grown, pesticide-free Kenyan teas that are both healthful and delicious. But we’re not stopping there—one of our exciting new initiatives is to create a unique tea tourism experience. We’re working on curated journeys that will invite our customers to visit Kenyan tea farms, learn about tea and coffee cultivation, and even take part in a safari adventure. Along the way, they’ll get to pick their own teas and join us in supporting social initiatives like the Toto Care Box donation drive. It’s all part of how we’re expanding our portfolio to offer immersive, meaningful experiences that celebrate Kenyan culture and tea. I’m thrilled to share this journey with you!
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
“That’s a really meaningful question. In my experience, what often breaks the bonds between people is a lack of understanding or empathy. When we don’t take the time to really see each other’s perspectives or appreciate each other’s stories, it can create distance. But on the flip side, what restores those bonds is genuine connection—listening, sharing experiences, and finding common ground.
In my own journey, both in pharmacy and tea, I’ve seen how storytelling and shared experiences can really bring people together. It’s those little moments of understanding that rebuild and strengthen bonds.”
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
“Suffering, in many ways, has been a powerful teacher. While success can bring joy and validation, it’s often the challenging times that shape our resilience and empathy. For me, suffering taught me how to be patient, how to truly listen, and how to connect with others on a deeper level. It showed me the importance of compassion and the strength that comes from overcoming difficulties.
In the context of building LEAFBERRI, those lessons have been invaluable. They’ve helped me stay grounded, appreciate the journey, and foster a deeper sense of purpose in everything we do—whether it’s supporting our farmers or connecting with our customers.”
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
“One belief and project I’m deeply committed to, no matter how long it takes, is growing LEAFBERRI into not just a tea brand, but a lasting legacy of quality, wellness, and cultural connection. It’s about more than just selling tea—it’s about bringing the heritage of Kenyan tea culture to the world, promoting health and wellness, and creating a positive impact through our social initiatives.
This vision isn’t something that happens overnight. It’s a journey I’m committed to for the long haul—nurturing relationships with our farmers, educating our customers about the benefits of our teas, and staying true to our values of sustainability and quality. No matter how long it takes, that’s a mission I’m dedicated to seeing through.”
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
“That’s such an interesting question. For a long time, I was definitely on the path of doing what I was told to do. Growing up in a culture where success was often measured by traditional careers like pharmacy, law, medicine, or engineering, I followed that path and became a pharmacist. My parents’ generation, having grown up in the colonial era, really valued these stable careers as a measure of success. But deep down, I always had an entrepreneurial spirit. Even as a teenager, I was finding ways to earn a little extra by selling things to friends, but it was never really nurtured because the focus was always on getting that professional degree.
In the last seven years, though, I started to feel like I was living a life that wasn’t fully mine. I felt a bit confined by my career and realized I wanted to do something that truly came from my own heart. That’s how LEAFBERRI was born—out of a desire to build something from the ground up that reflects my passion and heritage.
So now, I can honestly say I’m doing what I was born to do. Transitioning from the white coat to being a full-time entrepreneur hasn’t been easy, but it’s incredibly fulfilling. It’s a journey of building something meaningful, even if it means wearing many hats and navigating the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. But it’s worth every moment because it’s truly what I love.”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://leafberri.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/leafberri
- Twitter: https://x.com/LeafberriTea
- Facebook: https://fb.me/ilovepurpletea
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@leafberri
Image Credits
pics taken by
https://kateparrishphotography.com/
