Anna Cobb is turning heads in the wellness world after landing her sparkling okra water on the shelves of Erewhon, one of the most high-end grocery retailers in the United States. The Tulsa entrepreneur and CEO of Rejuvenation has introduced what is being promoted as the world’s first sparkling okra water under her second brand, O’kra.
What makes this moment even more powerful is the story behind it. Years ago, Cobb was fighting for her life after a severe allergic reaction to a synthetic energy supplement. Today, she is building a plant-based beverage company rooted in culture, wellness, and clean ingredients.
From Life Support to Wellness CEO: Anna Cobb’s Health Scare
At just 20 years old, Cobb experienced a life-threatening allergic reaction after taking what she believed was a normal energy vitamin. Speaking to Fox23 and Canvas Rebel, she recalled the terrifying moment her throat began to close and emergency responders rushed to save her life. She was placed on life support and remained in a coma for a week.
“After being on a ventilator and in a coma for 1 week, I knew that my life was spared because my purpose was greater,” Cobb said. That experience, however painful, forced her to take a closer look at the ingredients commonly found in energy supplements and beverages.
As a student at Tuskegee University, she began researching the harsh chemicals used in many popular products. She also noticed a lack of education around healthy food and drink options on campus. Consequently, what started as personal research soon became a business idea.
Building Rejuvenation: A 100% Plant-Based Energy Drink Alternative
During her senior year, Cobb turned her research into action. She launched a plant-based catering service that offered healthy soul food alternatives to students, faculty, and the local community. Although the COVID-19 pandemic forced her to shut it down early, the setback did not stop her vision.
Shortly after her virtual graduation, she introduced Rejuvenation, a 100% plant-based energy drink alternative made with ingredients people can easily pronounce. According to Cobb, the goal was simple: provide clean energy without the jitters or crashes that nearly cost her life.
The early days were far from glamorous. “We started manufacturing out of my Mom’s townhome in a tiny kitchen with a spoon, a tea bag strainer, and a small crockpot,” she shared. Products were first sold in reused gallon water jugs and bottles with handmade labels. Nevertheless, the company grew from a team of three women to eight, all working together to build something bigger than themselves.
O’kra Sparkling Okra Water Launches and Quickly Sells Out
In September 2025, Cobb expanded her vision by launching O’kra under her parent company, Rejuvenation by VQC Inc. The new product was introduced as the world’s first sparkling okra water, blending tradition with modern wellness trends.
“For generations, okra has been used in kitchens and communities as a healing food,” Cobb wrote in a LinkedIn post. “I wanted to honor that heritage while bringing it forward as a modern wellness product.”
The response was immediate. The brand reportedly sold 1,000 cans in its first week and 7,000 cans within the first month. Available in flavors like pineapple and pomegranate, O’kra tapped into the growing interest in natural remedies and plant-based living, including viral conversations about okra water on social media platforms like TikTok.
Erewhon Partnership and Major Retail Expansion
Within six months of launching O’kra, Cobb secured placement in Erewhon, a retailer known for its luxury image, celebrity clientele, and high-end wellness products. For Cobb, the partnership represented more than shelf space.
“The most luxurious grocery store in the U.S. now holds a piece of ancestral history on its shelves,” she wrote. “Choosing okra isn’t just intentional. It’s symbolic.”
In addition, O’kra has secured regional launches with Sprouts and Whole Foods, positioning the brand for national growth. Cobb has also expressed interest in expanding into beauty retailers such as Ulta and Sephora, reflecting her broader vision of merging wellness, culture, and lifestyle branding.
Black Ambition Win and Long-Term Vision for a Wellness Empire
Cobb’s journey has also earned her recognition in competitive business spaces. She was accepted into the ACT House accelerator program and won the Black Ambition competition, which led to a $100,000 investment and a meeting with Pharrell Williams. She also received support from the Gradient Innovation Hub.
Looking ahead, Cobb plans to develop a full line of natural beverages designed to support focus and digestion over the next five to seven years. Her ambition is bold but clear. “My end-all, be-all goal for all of this is to be a health and wellness Coca-Cola,” she said.
Ultimately, Anna Cobb’s story is about survival, faith, and vision. What began as a near-tragedy has grown into a wellness brand rooted in heritage and innovation. And now, with sparkling okra water on some of the most exclusive grocery shelves in America, her mission is only getting started.
