Our Story

In December 2023, just when I had poured my all into the company I worked for, I was made redundant, just a few days before I was set to celebrate a year's hard work with a holiday in Sri Lanka. I got the news on the 18th of December and found myself boarding a plane to Sri Lanka that very day for a 4-week getaway with my girlfriend, Morgan.

What lingered in my mind during the flight was the silence from the co-founders; not a single 'thank you' was extended my way.

Our first morning in Sri Lanka, we headed to the beach, where I was offered what I assumed to be a coconut. Politely declining, I mentioned my dislike for coconut water, only to be corrected that it wasn't just any coconut but a king coconut. This was my introduction to Thambili. It tasted nothing like I had imagined, vastly different and refreshing. I quickly bought one and savoured it, sipping through the straw.

Curious, I asked the vendor how to say 'thank you' in his language. "Stutiyi," he replied.

From that day forward, I made it a ritual to start my mornings with a King Coconut, learning that this was a common practice among Sri Lankans before their morning tea. The king coconut, I observed, transcended the strong class divisions in the country, equally enjoyed by street vendors and staff in luxury hotels. Its widespread appeal, I realised, was partly due to its numerous health benefits - a way of expressing gratitude to one's body with every sip. 'Stutiyi' indeed.

With its superior antioxidants, vitamin C, and electrolytes, the king coconut rightfully earned its royal title.

This trip was also a personal journey, motivated by my grandmother's early-stage dementia. I wanted to create lasting memories with her, knowing the unpredictable nature of memory. Surprisingly, she always remembered the word 'Stutiyi', a testament to the deep-seated importance of gratitude in my upbringing. This realisation helped me understand my disappointment over the lack of acknowledgment from my former employers; saying 'thank you', or 'Stutiyi', had always been a significant part of my value system.

I've always been fascinated by the idea of running a water company, perhaps a nod to my surname, Wells, suggesting a historical connection to water stewardship. This fascination, coupled with my experiences in Sri Lanka, sparked the idea for 'Stutiyi' - a brand built around gratitude. I envisioned a company where 'thanks' and 'Stutiyi' were foundational, reflecting the sentiment that beverages, often given as gifts of appreciation, inherently carry a message of thanks.

'Stutiyi' is more than just water; it embodies life itself. Drinking 'Stutiyi' is an act of gratitude towards one's body, whether it's a morning ritual, a post-workout refreshment, or a shared drink. Our subscription model allows you to extend this gesture of thanks monthly to anyone who has made a difference in your life.

Moreover, we commit to giving back to the land of the King Coconut and its people, allocating 20% of our profits to various community programs. These include support for single mothers, regenerative farming initiatives, micro-loans for small enterprises and educational tuition programs. Closer to home we support youth sports programs in Tottenham, where our headquarters and my home are located.

Stutiyi.