When Business and Karma Collide
This episode explores how Karma Cola, a purpose-led New Zealand drinks company, is redefining what business can be. Co-founder Simon Coley and Karma Cola Foundation Chair Albert Tucker share how the brand was born from the idea of creating products that not only taste good but also do good.
They recount the journey from Fairtrade bananas in New Zealand to sourcing real kola nuts from Sierra Leone, where profits from every bottle support local projects, including building bridges, funding girls’ education, and providing microloans. Unlike traditional charity, their model emphasises trade as a pathway to independence, with communities choosing their own priorities.
The conversation also explores the storytelling and design behind Karma Cola’s distinctive packaging, the cult following it has inspired (including tattoos, murals, and fandom), and the commercial challenge of competing with global cola giants while remaining true to its ethical values.
The episode argues that even in something as simple as a soft drink, business can become a force for transparency, empowerment, and cultural exchange, proving that what goes around really does come around.
