Lisa Jeffries is the Founder and brand visionary of jAGA, a nootropic drinks brand that uses healing mushrooms with its products to support and personalise wellbeing journeys.
Lisa studied Fashion Styling and Photography at Salford University and has also worked as a fashion stylist in London. However, she has always had a strong passion for all things health and wellness which led her to give up alcohol and embrace a sober lifestyle in 2017. While enjoying the sober lifestyle, Lisa was frustrated by the lack of exciting, non-alcoholic options available that weren’t the usual sugar-loaded mocktails or soft drinks. Around this time, Lisa also utilised her passion for wellness and opened jAGA in 2021, a brunch and beats café in Market Harborough selling smoothies, wellness shots and more.
At the café, Lisa began to experiment with mushroom blend powders, coffees, juices and shots and also discovered the power of adaptogenic mushrooms. After realising their potential to enhance wellbeing, Lisa incorporated them into jAGA’s offering.
The success and demand for the drinks sold at jAGA the café inspired Lisa to bring them to the world and make jAGA drinks available to purchase UK-wide.
Did you ever sit down and plan your career?
No, I have always just gone with the flow and trusted the path of life’s natural flow. My husband, Lee, is a serial entrepreneur and I have always been the creative side to his business ideas so there have been many businesses along the way that I have been involved in.
Have you faced any challenges along the way?
When first founding jAGA as a drinks brand, we struggled to secure a solid supply chain for mushrooms. Ensuring the highest quality of ingredients and also continuous production has been the priority and we have now managed to do this, allowing us to scale the business for 2024 and beyond.
What has been your biggest achievement to date?
Successfully launching jAGA is a highlight and we are also preparing to launch the brand into Selfridges in early 2024 which will be a massive moment and achievement for both myself and the company.
I also have to mention selling out of over 400 Margo in Margate limited edition jAGA art can boxes that were designed by artist Margo McDaid in collaboration with Gone Rogue LDN. Seeing others have the same belief in jAGA as I do is amazing and I’m excited to continue work like this to grow the brand further.
What one thing do you believe has been a major factor in you achieving success?
My obsession with natural, holistic health and wellness has run deep for over 10 years now and this has been a massive influence in my success, being the main inspiration behind jAGA.
How do you feel about mentoring? Have you mentored anyone or are you someone’s mentee?
I do mentor a lot of my close friends and family who come to me with health and nutrition concerns. I also consider my entrepreneurial husband a great support and mentor to me.
If you could change one thing to accelerate the pace of change for Gender Parity, what would it be?
At jAGA, our ethos is wellness for all, and so we strive for inclusivity in every aspect of the brand. We encourage everyone, whatever their gender, to find the best version of their health.
jAGA also promotes acceptance, and forward-thinking and that culture is changed by behaviour. We know that when strong, influential brands also promote inclusivity through words and actions change can happen, so we encourage all brands to join us with this message.
If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self what would it be?
Firstly, I would tell myself to believe in myself more. And that there is no point worrying about things that haven’t happened yet!
What is your next challenge and what are you hoping to achieve in the future?
We have an ambition for jAGA to be the leading mushroom soda brand in the UK…and then the world!
Read more from our inspirational women here.
