From the Pitch to the Rainforest: Kieran’s Journey to the Roots of Batana Oil in Honduras
At Batanaful, we believe in keeping it real, from our ingredients to our story. Our founder, Kieran Agard, recently travelled deep into the heart of Honduras to visit the Indigenous communities who handcraft our Batana oil. In this exclusive Q&A, Kieran opens up about what he discovered on that journey and how his career as a professional footballer shaped the way he now builds Batanaful.
Q: Kieran, before we get into Batana oil you were a professional footballer. Can you tell us about that journey?
Kieran:
Yeah, I spent over a decade playing football professionally. I came through the Arsenal and Everton youth setups, then played for clubs like Rotherham United, Bristol City, MK Dons, and Plymouth Argyle. I’ve had promotions, injuries, big wins, tough losses the full experience. Football taught me discipline, drive, and resilience all of which I’ve brought with me into this business. It’s also made me deeply aware of how important confidence and self-care are, especially for young people coming up.
Q: What inspired you to move from football into starting a haircare brand?
Kieran:
It actually started at home I was looking for natural, safe products for my daughter’s hair. That’s when I came across Batana oil and started researching its benefits. When I saw the results first-hand, I was blown away. But I also saw there was a gap in the UK market people didn’t know what Batana oil was, or they were buying low-quality versions. So I made it my mission to bring the real thing here, in the right way. I treated it like I treated football with commitment, consistency and heart.
Q: Why did you go to Honduras?
Kieran:
Honestly, it was long overdue. I’ve always said that Batanaful is more than just a product it’s a story, a legacy. I wanted to go straight to the source, meet the Miskito people who’ve been making Batana oil for generations, and see with my own eyes how it’s made. I wanted to show our customers that what they’re using is real, traditional, and made with purpose. This trip was about respect for the culture, the people, and the process.
Q: Did any lessons from football help you during the trip to Honduras?
Kieran:
Definitely. Football teaches you to connect with people from all walks of life. I’ve played with teammates from different cultures and countries, so being in the villages in La Moskitia, even with the language barrier, I found it easy to just sit, listen, and respect their way of life. It wasn’t about me it was about understanding their story and making sure we tell it right.
Q: What was the most powerful moment during your time in Honduras?
Kieran:
Sitting with the women who make the Batana oil and hearing them talk about how it’s been passed down through generations that stayed with me. It’s not just a business for them. It’s their heritage. Watching them go through the whole process by hand, with such patience and pride, I just thought, people need to see this. That’s when I knew we had to bring the camera crew, document everything, and tell this story the right way.
Q: What was it like in the villages?
Kieran:
Beautiful. Humbling. Real. The villages are remote no Wi-Fi, no shortcuts, just nature and community. I spent a couple of days in La Moskitia where the Batana nuts are gathered, cooked down, and hand-processed into that rich golden oil. I watched the women grind and stir for hours in the heat, still smiling and welcoming me like family. That process you see in the photos? It’s 100% real and it made me realise even more why this oil deserves to be respected.
Q: How do you make sure Batanaful stands out from other brands?
Kieran:
We don’t just sell oil,we’re building trust. We’ve got real roots. I’ve met the people who make this oil, I’ve walked through the rainforest where it grows, and I’m working with organisations that ensure fair trade. That’s not something you can fake. So many brands jump on trends, but this one’s personal. We were the first to bring authentic Batana oil to the UK, and we’re doing everything we can to honour its origin.
Q: Why does it matter that Batanaful works directly with the source?
Kieran:
Because a lot of what you see online is diluted and fake Batana oil. We’ve seen copycats pop up with no connection to Honduras. That’s not us. We’re not here to exploit we’re here to uplift. We’re working on exclusive rights to partner with a community-based organisation that ensures fair trade and gives back directly to the villages. That’s the kind of business we are. If you’re putting this in your hair and on your scalp, you should know exactly where it came from and who it supports.
Q: Are you still involved in football?
Kieran:
No, but I still train, I still love the game it’s a part of who I am. But right now, my focus is on growing Batanaful and using this platform to show others especially younger players or people from similar backgrounds that you can reinvent yourself. You can take your passion and turn it into something meaningful. Football gave me a name, but Batanaful gives me purpose.
Q: What do you want customers to take away from your Honduras trip?
Kieran:
That Batanaful is different because it’s real. Every jar we sell supports real people in real communities. I want people to look at their bottle of oil and know exactly where it came from. I want them to feel proud of what they’re using. This trip wasn’t a PR move it was a promise. We’re here to uplift, not exploit. And we’ll keep showing up, again and again.
Q: Where can we watch the footage?
Kieran:
We’ve been rolling out clips on Instagram and TikTok, and there’s a behind-the-scenes feature coming soon. The energy, the people, the land it’s all there. It’s time Batana oil gets the spotlight it deserves.
Final thoughts?
Kieran:
If you’ve ever used our Pure Batana Oil or any Batanaful product, I just want to say thank you. You’re not just buying haircare, you’re supporting a whole ecosystem of people who’ve preserved this tradition for centuries. This trip reminded me why we do what we do. And trust me, we’re only just getting started.
Your haircare has a heritage.
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