Burnt out lawyer inspired by his mum’s alternative remedies turns ‘brain drinks’ into big business

BYRON Bay–based business Savvy Beverages was recently named runner-up in Telstra’s Outstanding Growth Award for 2025.

Founded by nutritionist Mark Curry, the company was the sole finalist in the Functional Nutrition for Mental Health & Wellness category.

Before launching Savvy, Curry practised law for three years, until burnout forced him to stop and reassess his career.

“Law is one of the most prevalent professions for mental health issues like depression and chronic stress, and I saw this happening around me, and starting to happen to me,” he said.

Seeking a healthier alternative, Curry began making an ‘alternative nootropic’ tonic using a small number of researched ingredients designed to improve focus and help manage stress and anxiety.

“Over time I added more and more ingredients to make it stronger,” he said. “I saw my colleagues relying on caffeine, sugar and stimulants just to survive the day, which only made the anxiety and crashes worse. I told them about what I was doing, and my office became a café over the space of a year as everyone loved the benefits.”

Curry decided to retrain in nutrition and moved to the Northern Rivers to found Savvy, with the aim of creating products that genuinely support brain health, rather than simply masking fatigue.

He spent months experimenting with natural ingredients and developing products in collaboration with health professionals, naturopaths and food scientists to ensure the formulations were right. Savvy Cola, for example, achieves its rich brown colour naturally by using black tea instead of artificial dyes.

Curry said the industry recognition brought a mix of pride and validation.

“Leaving a stable legal career to invent ‘brain drinks’ in a kitchen sounded a bit mad back in 2016, and I had many doubters who thought I was a time waster and was just having a mental breakdown, so these awards really feel like a great opportunity to show other entrepreneurs who have an exciting idea that could make Australia a better place, to do it, no matter how crazy it may seem,” he said.

“It also fills me with hope as Savvy Beverages is Australia’s first nutrition business that focuses on improving mental health and cognitive performance. Knowing that Australians are caring more about improving the health and performance of their brain and mental state just as much as their body is a huge step in the right direction.”

 

Curry said he was heavily influenced by his mother, Barbara, who was interested in alternative remedies during his childhood.

“Mum was definitely the original biohacker before it was a buzzword,” he said. “She was always giving me and my sister herbal concoctions and health tonics growing up.”

While his nine-year-old self wasn’t thrilled by the taste, he now recognises the long-term impact. “I was energetic and resilient, and that foundation of health was all thanks to her,” he said.

Although his focus is now firmly on the business, Curry remains an Honorary Fellow at the University of Technology Sydney, where he contributes to the Law and Business faculties. He said his legal background has strongly shaped his approach to research and development.

“It became second nature to me to be able to prove things, which is why all Savvy products are based on hundreds of scientific studies, and they can all be proven,” he said.

“We don’t just throw ingredients together; we research clinical studies with the same intensity I used to research case law.”

Curry said Savvy’s newest product, Calm Sparkling Water, is a nootropic sparkling drink designed to reduce stress and anxiety.

“It’s packed with electrolytes, vitamins, superfoods, and prebiotics to support your busy mind without the fatigue,” he said. “Plus, it’s zero sugar, 100 per cent natural, and only five calories.”

He has further product expansions planned this year, with a growing focus on corporate offices, fitness centres, schools and universities.

“The goal is simple – to make sure every Aussie has a better tool for their mental health than just another coffee, tea, energy drink or soda,” he said.