After spending time living and working in Argentina, Olie Ford noticed that yerba mate, an energy drink he'd become hooked on while living and working in Argentina, was almost invisible in Australia.
With an aversion to caffeine but a need to remain focussed and alert while he worked as a chef, Olie started making cold and fruity versions of yerba mate. His in-depth knowledge of the hospitality industry, as well as his love of design, branding and storytelling led to the creation of Mateo.
“I think Australian drinking habits are quietly shifting. There’s a growing appetite for drinks that are more sophisticated, more intentional, and increasingly lighter on alcohol and random ingredients no one's heard of,” says Olie.
We speak to Olie about how he’s grown his business and how Ordermentum is supporting Mateo on their upward trajectory.