The Founding Story: Dimi and Katya's Journey
In 2011, Dimi Stozinic and Katya Igumentseva launched Organic Burst from their London apartment, motivated by their own personal discovery of the health benefits of ancient, organic superfoods. They were inspired to share these "life-transforming benefits" with others, moving away from their previous careers with a different purpose in mind. Their experience and extensive immersion in health and wellbeing, combined with a desire to help others, set the foundation for their unique business model.
Unlike traditional businesses driven primarily by profit, the founders saw Organic Burst as a social enterprise designed to create a "win-win" for all involved. This vision connects the company's success directly to the well-being of its customers, the communities that harvest the ingredients, and the planet itself.
The Social Enterprise Model and Direct Sourcing
Organic Burst's business model is fundamentally different from many of its competitors. Instead of relying on wholesalers or resellers, the company practices direct trade, sourcing its ingredients directly from small-scale organic growers and indigenous communities around the world. This practice ensures several key outcomes:
- Fairer compensation: The direct-trade model allows Organic Burst to pay a premium price directly to the producers, ensuring that profits support local families and communities in some of the world's poorest regions.
- Higher quality ingredients: By working directly with growers, the founders can ensure rigorous standards are met, resulting in unadulterated, top-grade ingredients.
- Sustainability and conservation: This approach supports sustainable farming and harvesting practices, protecting the local environment and biodiversity. For example, their ethical sourcing of Acai has helped protect parts of the Amazon rainforest from deforestation.
- Transparency: The "Know Your Source" philosophy means that customers can trace their products back to their origins, fostering trust and showing the positive impact of their purchases.
The company reinvests its profits into this mission, constantly working to improve the lives of both its customers and its farming partners.
Ethical Sourcing in Action
Organic Burst's dedication to ethical sourcing is exemplified by its relationships with harvesting communities across the globe. Some notable examples include:
- Peruvian Maca: The company sources its Maca from a community of 120 indigenous families in Peru's highlands, providing over 300 jobs and improving local diets and livelihoods.
- Sri Lankan Turmeric: In Sri Lanka, Organic Burst works with 92 organic family farmers in a region affected by civil war, ensuring the turmeric is grown on local lands rather than large plantations.
- Amazonian Acai: Their Acai is harvested by local people in the Brazilian State of Para, who own their own trees. This direct trade empowers local harvesters, pays them significantly more, and protects the rainforest.
- Zimbabwean Baobab: Through a partnership with the non-profit PhytoTrade Africa, Organic Burst helps women harvesters in Zimbabwe by ensuring a sustainable and ethical baobab trade that provides life-changing income.
A Comparison of Business Models
To understand the significance of Organic Burst's approach, a comparison to conventional superfood brands is useful. The table below highlights key differences in their business models.
| Feature | Organic Burst (Social Enterprise) | Conventional Superfood Brand |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership | Founder-owned (Dimi & Katya), privately held | Often venture capital-funded or publicly traded; ownership focused on profit |
| Sourcing | Direct Trade; works directly with small, ethical, and indigenous growers | Often uses wholesalers or bulk resellers, limiting transparency and local impact |
| Profit Motive | Reinvests profits to support farming communities and sustainability | Primary focus is on maximizing profit for owners or shareholders |
| Transparency | High level of transparency with its "Know Your Source" philosophy | Variable transparency; limited visibility into sourcing and supply chains |
| Ethical Focus | Core principle of creating a "win-win" for all stakeholders | Corporate social responsibility often secondary to profit maximization |
The Broader Impact and Future
Since its humble beginnings, Organic Burst has grown into a worldwide movement with customers in over 144 countries. The founders' commitment to quality, ethics, and sustainability has resonated with a global audience seeking transparent and impactful wellness products. The company continues its journey by combining ancient wisdom with modern science to ensure the efficacy and purity of its offerings, all while remaining committed to its core mission.
The success of this founder-led, social enterprise demonstrates that a purpose-driven model can thrive in the competitive superfood market. The company remains privately owned, allowing Dimi and Katya to continue steering the brand toward their ethical goals without pressure from external investors. The story of Organic Burst is a powerful example of how a business can be built on strong values, with a positive ripple effect on the global community and environment.
Conclusion
In summary, Organic Burst is not owned by a large corporation or investment firm. It is the creation and property of its co-founders, Dimi Stozinic and Katya Igumentseva. As a social enterprise, its ownership is rooted in a deeply ethical and sustainable vision that benefits a global network of indigenous communities and small-scale farmers. This direct, hands-on approach to sourcing, combined with a commitment to reinvesting profits for social good, is the key to understanding who owns Organic Burst and what drives its success.
For more detailed information on their sourcing stories and partnerships, visit the official Organic Burst website.
