1. What inspired you to start Ceremony, and how did your personal journey with matcha influence its creation?
I tried my first matcha in 2014 and never looked back. Matcha gave me an energy boost unlike any other source of caffeine, calm, focused, and grounding. It quickly became a daily ritual I cherished. Since 2019, I dreamed of creating my own matcha brand, and Ceremony feels like the manifestation of that vision, built through persistence, passion, and hard work.
2. Opening your first physical Matcha Bar on the Sea Point Promenade is a major milestone. What does this space represent to you beyond just a storefront?
Thank you! Ceremony turns three this October, and opening the Matcha Bar felt like the natural next step. For me, it’s so much more than a shop – it’s a space that reflects three years of dedication to shifting the perception of what high-quality matcha really tastes like, and showing people it can be both vibrant and calming. It’s a home for those who value quality and ritual, and a reminder that slowing down is not only possible, but essential.
3. As a female founder, what unique challenges have you faced in building Ceremony, and how have they shaped your leadership style?
It’s taken time for me to trust my voice, stand firm in my decisions, and step into leadership with confidence. These lessons have shaped the way I guide our team of incredible Tea Apprentices (our name for Matcha Baristas). With the encouragement of friends and supporters, I now know the value Ceremony brings and no longer hesitate to ask for what I want or believe in.
4. Ceremony emphasizes ritual, presence, and community. How do you personally incorporate these values into your daily business practices?
It starts with my own ritual – a Ceremony Matcha a day. That moment of presence anchors me and reminds me to make intentional choices for my health and well-being. I carry this philosophy into every detail of the Matcha Bar, from design to service. Alignment and quality are non-negotiable, and I’ve seen how that ripples outward to our community, our team, and the environment we create together.
5. Matcha has become a global trend, but you’ve rooted Ceremony in authenticity and sustainability. What do you look for when sourcing your ceremonial-grade matcha from Japan?
Since opening, we’ve worked closely with the same farm and recently partnered with a second as we grow. When sourcing, I focus on region, terroir, cultivar, taste, and colour, as well as rigorous health and safety standards (like testing for heavy metals and ensuring JAS organic certification). Just as importantly, we nurture our relationships with the farms – we want them to feel supported too.
6. What role do you believe women are playing in reshaping wellness and lifestyle brands today?
Women are transforming wellness and lifestyle brands by moving away from exclusivity and unattainable ideals toward inclusivity, authenticity, and balance. They bring empathy and lived experience into brand building, creating spaces that honour both inner and outer wellbeing, celebrate diverse bodies and voices, and encourage conscious choices. This shift has moved wellness from a product-driven industry to one rooted in community, ritual, and meaning.
7. How do you balance creative vision with the operational realities of running a growing business?
Operations have never been my strongest suit, but they’ve shown me where to build better systems. When I feel blocked creatively by admin, I return to activities that bring me joy – walks in nature, time with friends, or exploring new spaces. These moments restore balance and remind me why I started, helping me bring creativity back into sync with structure.
8. Community seems central to Ceremony’s ethos. How do you see the Matcha Bar becoming a hub for connection and shared experience?
Since opening, seeing familiar faces return – girls from our events, long-time community members bringing their friends – has been so heartwarming. The space has taken on a life of its own, becoming a place where people gather to work, connect, or simply share a calm moment. The dog-friendly environment and welcoming energy make it feel more like a community living room than a café.
9. What advice would you give to other women looking to start purpose-driven businesses in traditionally male-dominated industries?
Remember: you bring so much to the table, don’t doubt yourself. And never be afraid to ask for help.
10. How have you navigated staying true to Ceremony’s slow-living philosophy while scaling in a fast-paced world?
By setting firm boundaries in decision-making. I ask myself: Does this align with our values? Will our community appreciate it? Do we truly believe in it? Staying grounded in our vision allows us to grow without rushing or losing our sense of purpose.
11. What’s been the most unexpected lesson you’ve learned since starting Ceremony, from product development to community building?
The biggest lesson has been the importance of how we communicate. We’ve never pushed sales – instead, we focus on connection. Our community has grown because people feel cared for, seen, and part of our “why.” How you treat your customers is everything.
12. Looking ahead, how do you envision the evolution of Ceremony as a brand, as a lifestyle, and as a movement?
This is only the beginning. We have exciting projects in the pipeline, and my hope is for Ceremony to become South Africa’s choice for high-quality matcha – vibrant green, guaranteed. Beyond that, I see it evolving into a lifestyle that inspires calm, connection, and conscious living.
