Tea Business Dreams

Sell tea LIVE with this quick and easy method

HI Tea Family-

This last weekend found me busy with our town's annual Fall Fest.  Our small town was transformed to an active hub with old cars, kids activities and a variety of food booths.  As usual I hosted an iced tea booth. The day was perfect for iced tea, 80 degrees and a slight breeze.  

Each year I experiment with different ways to run a booth.  Last year I pulled out my Affinitea brewer and freshly pulled each and every cup of tea.  It was a lot of fun. 

This year I wanted to see what I could do with tea concentrates.  I began by preparing 4 concentrates.  Mango-Apple, Raspberry, Peach Ginger and English Breakfast.  These concentrates were mixed with ice and filtered water, on the spot as each person ordered their cup of tea.  

If a client wanted hot tea I could do that as well.  I had an airport filled with boiling hot water which I easily stirred into the concentrate.

My discovery?  This is a quick and easy way to work a cup on demand situation.  I was highly impressed. Of course, I have been teaching about concentrates for years in my Start A Tea Business class, but this was the first time I tried it in a fair booth setting.

Here are some other great ways to use tea concentrates:

• When serving large groups at live events or tea parties
• Use in coffee houses when you want to present quality tea quickly
• In professional offices when you want to offer a quick and easy cup of tea without fuss and muss.

Tea Concentrates can be used up to 4 days after they are made.  I share the full recipe and method in my Start A Tea Business class so be sure to print it out and try it.

Next class begins on September 27th 2009 and this is the last chance to grab my AMAZING bonus. (valued at $697) Every new student will receive FREE TUITION to my upcoming online class entitled "Building A Successful Web Presence." (an 8 week do at your own pace class beginning October 2nd 2009)  You would be CRAZY not to take me up on this outstanding offer.

Call to register at 888-225-0252 or go online www.StartATeaBusiness.com.

Tea and the Wizard

If you are a secret Wizard of Oz lover you will probably enjoy this video of my recent trip to Wamego, Kansas and the  Wizard of Oz museum. 

My niece Karlynn has been here in Kansas for a visit so she can be your guide.  After the video enjoy the article on how to host a Wizard of Oz tea party.

This could be a great idea for your tea business.

"The Wamego Wizard"

Create a free slideshow with Picnik!

 

Can't see the video playing?  Click The Link Below:

http://www.picnik.com/show/id/5678877058_4tTC6/t/the-wamego-wizard

Tea In Oz

Invite a group for an afternoon or evening back in the magical world of the Wizard of Oz. This event is perfect during the halloween season when so many people are eager to wear costumes. Each guest should be encouraged to dress up as a character from the movie.

In the promotions, remind people of all their choices: not just Dorothy, the Tin Man, the Scarecrow, and the Cowardly Lion, but also the Wizard, the Wicked Witch of the West, the Good Witch Glinda, Auntie Em, and Toto too! If you're able to accommodate dogs, you might have more than one Toto at the party. (and believe me, people may be eager to bring dogs so think that one out!)

Cover tables with emerald-green cloths, paving a line down the center with yellow napkins folded into rectangles, to mark the Yellow Brick Road. Arrange straw flowers in small tin buckets or watering cans at intervals around the table. Play the soundtrack from the Wizard of Oz or an instrumental version of the songs, to bring back memories of the first time your guests saw the classic movie.

Oz is where fairyland meets Kansas, so now is the time to mix down-home gingham with sparkling crystal, and delicate teacups with sturdy stoneware plates. For the menu, think "country picnic" crossed with a child's birthday party: cornbread, tomato sandwiches on crusty home-style bread, and warm blueberry muffins, followed by a dessert course of pastel cupcakes decorated with sugar pearls. Or you can serve poppy-seed cake as a reminder of the field where Dorothy almost lay down to sleep.

Teas to serve: cranberry, mint green , or cinnamon spice tea

To make the experience truly memorable, let the guests recreate the Wizard's award ceremony:

1. Before the party, prepare blank cards whose outside covers represent the different Oz characters:

• Dorothy - red slipper
  
  
• Scarecrow - white diploma rolled up and tied with a ribbon
  
  
• Tin Man - pink heart
  
  
• Lion - gold circle (medal)
  
  
• Wicked Witch - black witch hat
  
  
• Good Witch - sparkly pink circle (bubble)

Make sure there is enough white space on the inside to write a sentence. If you make the cards out of colored paper cut into appropriate shapes, paste white paper inside.

2. Prepare enough cards for all the guests, with multiples of each design. Put all the blank cards in a basket covered with a napkin, and pass the basket around the table inviting each guest to take a card.

3. Hand out sparkly pens to inspire Oz-like thoughts.

4. Ask each guest to write a message in their card to encourage the character it represents. For the Wicked Witch , it might be, "May all your troubles melt away like water." For the Tin Man it could be, "Your warm heart never grows rusty." The only rule is that each message should be positive.

5. Collect all the cards with their messages and put them back in the basket.

6. The hostess or one of the Wizards picks out the cards at random, and passes them to one guest at a time, going around the table. As each guest receives her card, she reads the message out loud.

Then everyone can move on to dessert.

Additional Activity Suggestions:

1. Share famous quotes from the movie
   
   
2. Play name that tune
   
   
3. Have a sing a long (who hasn't wanted to sing "Ding Dong the Witch Is Dead?")
   
   
4. Host a trivia contest between the tables and see which tables knows "Oz" the best.
   
   
5. Share behind the scenes info on this 1939 classic film.

© Dawnya Sasse - All Rights Reserved

 

Building a business around tea

Hi Tea Friends-

This week I have been busy working away in my office.  We are in the process of doing a complete update of my Start A Tea Business online course.   We are also updating and planning to re-issue my Start A Children's Tea Party Business course within the next month. (you are going to love the new version because it also features a unit on etiquette~) Busy!

In addition, preparations are being made for the October 2nd 8 week web class devoted to teaching students how to launch an online company focused on tea! I have taught several of these classes but this will be our most affordable program ever so you won't want to miss it. (email me for details)

Other activities have involved filling the Tea Business Showcase boxes for their next shipment out!  New business owners LOVE getting these free samples shipped to their door.  (have you gotten yours yet?)

We have been sending out our latest training cd's for the members of the Tea Business Network.  Each month we mail out a new training session to help boost each members projects.  (my niece is working in my office for a couple weeks so CD's have been her job!)

Last but not least the new Tea Radio is available now online and on ITUNES podcasts.    

So what can you learn from this blog?  Sometimes running a tea business has many and various audiences.  Our main focus is teaching and inspiring those who dream of owning a business related to tea.  We help tea room owners, loose leaf tea stores, spas, florists, bed and breakfasts, tea speakers, tea writers, tea bars and a whole lot more.  Whatever your tea dream, we offer something that can help you.

And the beauty of it?  Most of our programs are available right at your fingertips.  You don't even have to leave home to learn more.

Exciting isn't it?

I love the tea business but most of all I LOVE helping you start your dream.

Have a great Labor Day Weekend,

Dawnya

Can I make money with an online tea store?

Have you ever been asked a questions so many times that you think, "man, I should just write the answer down?"  Well, I have.  Many times over.

Today's question is one that I receive often in this "tea stimulus" era.  

"Is there anyone making money online selling tea?"

Good question, let me take a moment to answer that.  When considering the online world you must take into consideration cyber space and the properties that govern it.  Another words, business as usual on the net is very different than business as usual in the real world.  

Did you know for example that for every 1 year of retail in a brick and mortar setting is 6 years in the cyber world?  Yep, the internet is changing THAT FAST.  

So, if your question is, "Can a person spending 4 hours or less a week make great money online selling tea"  I would say, "NO."  It is just too hard to keep up with all that is happening in just a few hours a week (regardless of what anyone tries to sell you on)

If you want to make money online then you have to embrace the lifestyle of online business.  That means, you have to dedicate hours to study, follow through, change, tweaking, growth, more tweaking, more change... repeat, repeat, repeat.  You have to study online marketing, basic web technology, niche marketing, social media, etc. on top of being well versed in tea, shipping and business management.

Much like the "real world" a huge percentage of online business fails.  The main reason?  People give up too quickly, don't posses or won't pay for the technical help they need, don't have capital, are impatient.

But back to the question:

"Is there anyone making money online selling tea?"  My answer is "YES!" definitely and not just big companies.  Many small ones are doing good as well.  

Is there a KEY? Yes, there is a KEY.  You have to learn the "art" of internet sales along with the "art" of marketing tea.  It is an art and it can be acquired.

****************************************************************************************************

Here is my story:

I am often told that I must have been a marketing and computer wiz from the time I was a kid.  Nothing could be farther from the truth.  In fact, I have only had 1 official computer class in my life (8th grade on a Comodore 64!).  I got a B.  The teacher said it didn't really matter as I would never be a kid that did anything with it.  (wow, how is that for encouragement?)  

I just wasn't one of those "nerdy, tech" kids.  I was into the arts.  Theater, music, writing.  Math, science and computers were not in the picture.

Here's how dumb I was.  In 1993 when approached about getting email (via Juno) I actually said, "Who needs email?"  I couldn't figure it out.  (I now read hundreds of emails a week.  Guess I missed the boat on that one eh?)

Although my husband created a website for me in 1997 (for my tearoom) it wasn't until 2002 that I even started thinking about the online world as a medium for commerce.

Everything changed for me in 2002 when I began to read, study, invest money and follow a step by step program of discovering HOW I could sell a product online.

In 2003 I launched my flagship training program, Start A Tea Business and I have never looked back.

I wish I could say it has been smooth sailing since 2003.  NOPE! Actually it was clear within 6 months that I needed to sell off my tea room and focus on the internet if I was going to really make it happen. There was a TON to learn.

In the last 7 years I have applied myself regularly and am not even close to "having attained" all.  I am still learning every single day.

If you want to succeed online take it from me... YOU CAN.  Here's how:

1. Learn from those who have been there and done that successfully.

2. Make learning a lifestyle and follow someone elses pattern

3. Be willing to unlearn everything that worked last year and start again.

4. Set your mind on long term success.

5. Be consistent and focused.

6. Invest in YOU.

7. Repeat

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Can a stay at home mom build an online tea company? "Yes."  Can a tea shop build an online tea  revenue that is worthwhile? "Yes."  Can a not real technical person build an online tea business? "Quite Possibly."

So, here is your chance to find out the "inside scoop" on building an internet business FOR FREE.  Here's how:

Enroll in my Start An Online Tea Business class and I will give you FREE tuition in my October 2nd - HOW TO - Online Tea Business training class.  Basically two classes for the price of one.

Why would I do that?  Because I have been there, done that, and would LOVE to see you beat the odds and succeed.

So take advantage of my generosity while it lasts.  There are limited spaces.  Register at http://wwwStartATeaBusiness.com  or call 888-225-0252

I look forward to helping you SUCCEED.

Dawnya

Watch our New Tea Product Review

If you are a tea business owner or a tea lover this video will walk you through the process of finding GREAT new products. 

The holidays are just around the corner so it is never to soon to shop for tea pots, loose leaf teas, tea infusers, scone mix or any assortment of great tea products. 

Featured Websites:

http://www.HuesNBrews.com - Wholesale Only 

http://www.TeaBusinessShowcase.com - FREE samples for tea entreprenuers 

http://www.TeaEvents.com - Tea Business Education at its finest!

http://wwwSterlingTea.com - retail or wholesale. Fabulous teas and gifts. 

http://www.CupboardofBlessings.com - retail or wholesale - organic scone mix 

http://www.SerendipiTEA.comm - retail or wholesale - Try the Buccaneer Blend! Yum

Iced Tea- Liquid Gold for Tea Business Owners

 Have you ever wondered why nearly every cafe in town offers iced tea? Simple. Iced Tea sells for a fortune and costs nearly nothing to make. Yet for all its availability, iced tea quality varies greatly from restaurant to restaurant. Let's take a moment to look at Iced Tea and how you can use it to further your tea business dreams.

Let's look at the numbers: Ok, to start out let's price a 16 oz glass of iced tea. In general – wholesale costs are somewhere around .5 cents excluding the cost of the cup. Free refills? Figure another .10 cents. Average price in America? Somewhere in the vicinity of $2.95 for unlimited refills.

At $2.95 you will make $2.65 per customer. If you serve 50 customers a day and you are open 360 days of the year you would bring home at least $47,700!

WOW~ That is why people sell iced tea!

Now think about the fact that most companies serve terrible iced tea... and suddenly you are onto a business idea. How about an Iced Tea bar? Think multiple flavors and levels of exotic iced teas, priced right and ready year round. With this one item you could build a business in areas like Florida or California where the sun likes to shine and Iced Tea or Sweet Tea is a staple.

(remember do not scrimp and serve poor quality tea your customers CAN taste it!)

What am I getting at? To have a successful tea business you have to think outside the box. You have to think without measure and look at the little things that add up. Your ideas matter and you r passion counts. Need a low cost focus group to help clarify your vision?

Test your idea at Farmer's Markets, Fairs, Events or Fundraisers... Get out there and share your tea passion. You will be glad you did.

Not sure how to properly make iced tea?  Watch this!

Here's a unique Iced Tea Recipe you might enjoy as well: Apricol Iced Tea

16 tea, ceylon black, bags (o 16 tsp loose leaf tea)
12 cup(s) boiling water
1 cup(s) mint, fresh
6 can(s) apricot nectar, 11 1/2 to 12 ounces each
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
apricots, wedges
sprig(s) mint, fresh

1. In a very large heatproof pitcher, combine tea bags, boiling water, and the 1 cup mint leaves. Let steep for 5 minutes. Remove and discard tea bags and mint. Cover tea; let stand for 1 hour. Stir in apricot nectar and vanilla. Cover and chill for 4 to 48 hours.

2. To serve, fill tall glasses with ice cubes. Fill with tea mixture. If desired, garnish with apricot wedges and/or mint sprigs.

Celebrity Tea Drinkers Can BOOST Your Tea Business

Just to be clear,  I am NOT a celebrity stalker.  I am not watching the latest on the Michael Jackson saga or the untimely demise of the infomercial king, who made OxyClean known to the far reaches of the world.  I am however, interested in how Hollywood endorsements are building the tea business in America.

If you have ever thought about starting your own tea business then you will be interested to note that the MEDIA is building your company for you.  How so?  Free publicity is vital to any successful endeavor and tea has found more than it's fair share of attention in recent years.  Here is a brief list of well known celebrities that are drinking the hallowed beverage and singing it's praises:

Oprah Winfrey

Led Zepplin

Heidi Klum

Gwyneth Paltrow

Maggie Shannon (Lost)

Jennifer Anistan

Victoria Beckam

Jennifer Alba

Moby

But how do celebrity tea drinkers help you build your own tea dream? By harnessing the power of common interest you can develop new tea clients each and every day.  Here is a thought:

Want to loose weight and increase your health?  Oprah Winfrey swears by green tea.  (immediately you have a common thread with your reader if the potential client is motivated by weight loss, health and likes Oprah.)

Are you a busy career mom looking for simple ways to keep your sanity?  Gwyneth Paltrow (mother of 2 and busy Hollywood movie star) can be seen regularly sipping tea.  Steal this Hollywood hint and pour yourself a cup of revitalizing energy in the form of loose leaf tea.

Get the idea?  Connecting your pitch with the known behaviors of people we admire immediately connects you with your potential client.  Need more ideas?  Just look at any grocery aisle magazine and peek at the headlines.  New ideas are everywhere just waiting for you to get creative.

Building a tea business can be as simple as creating a home based tasting program or as complex as opening a popular one stop shop for our favorite loose leaf.  The key?  Get started NOW and let the media help you build your tea dream.

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Get your tea business started - Join my July 12th online class.

Enroll today for a special bonus:  www.StartATeaBusiness.com

5 Simple Ways To Tell If An Online Tea Store Is For You

Do you dream of working from home owning your own online tea shop?  If so, that doesn't surprise me. More and more of my clients are interested in starting web based stores.  In this article I would like to address the pros and cons of this tea business career choice.  

How do you know if this is this type of tea business is right for you? 

1. Do you have a "techie" mind?

Now, I am not saying you need to be a genius.  In fact, it is easier to build a website now than ever before. But let me be honest, there are lots of technical "glitches" that come into your day to day world.  

In order to succeed online you need to be able to update your own sites, work through the glitches and or outsource to get help.

2. Do you love a change?

The internet is in a constant state of movement.  As soon as you get a system working, don't be surprised if suddenly things change!  

Just think, only a few years ago we were introduced to Google Adwords.  Now you HAVE to understand it and how to use it. 

Remember pre- Twitter, Facebook or My Space? Gone are the days where you can just "sit back and let it happen."  To own a successful online store (of any kind) you have to be open to change, daily evaluating what will work for your business and what to avoid.

3. Do you love to learn?

Face it.  Owning a website with an ecommerce shop is going to force you into an ongoing education. You will need to invest in learning software, marketing, PPC, blogging, ezine creation and much more. Owning an online business is a lot like running a marathon.  You plan on running 26 miles.  You pace yourself, you train yourself and you keep going.

4. Are you consistent?

Consistency is KEY to a tea business.  If you cannot give your clients a consistent product, customer service and shipping experience then pack it up now!  You are DONE~

5. Are you Unique?

There are tons of so, so tea companies on the internet.  TONS.  The key to marketing online is standing out.  What is your difference?  It is the difference that makes you succeed.  The difference is what you market, it becomes your message, your mantra.  You must be different in a way that an audience will embrace and be drawn to.  The secret is knowing what your clients need and then building your business around fulfilling that desire.  

Now we come to the end of the article.  What do you think?  Are you ready to move forward or has this convinced you that an online shop is not a good tea business fit?

If you are now discouraged don't be.  I just saved you thousands of dollars and hours of frustration.

If you are encouraged... contact me and get involved in one of my "Build An Online Tea Business" classes.  You will love it.

Post your comments and tell me what you think?  What is your tea business dream?

Can I profit from a home tea business?

Do you feel like your tea dreams are on hold?  If you are one of the many who dream of owning your own tea room or tea cafe but feel stuck in a run while you wait... do I have an opportunity for you. Why should you shelf your dream for another day?  You can begin building your tea business today from the comfort of your own home.

One of my ways to build an affordable tea business is to start a business with Tealightful Treasures.  Tealightful Treasures is a direct sales company offering fabulous teas and classy promotional materials. 

I have personally invested in Tealightful Treasures because I see the potential of home tea entrepreneurs reaching their dreams hosting one tea tasting at a time.

How can you make money with Tealightful?

Become a Tealightful Treasures rep and you have an instant tea business!

Your starter set comes with catalogs, samples and tea cups.  Suddenly you are ready to serve tea to all your friends AND take their orders.  

Within only a few days you can be bringing in income without heavy duty expense or investment.

I am very careful about recommending any other company.  I make sure to check them out over and over again.  I can say with confidence that Tealightful offers a quality program for people who want to start a tea business FROM HOME on a limited budget.

Now remember: building your client list is KEY to success whether you work with a company like Tealightful or whether you have a traditional tea house.  But don't be fooled!  Regular interaction and relationship with your customers does not require leased space.  It does however, require consistency and hard work.

As a home tea consultant you will be able to share with your customers new flavored teas, new tea accessories and the latest tea time fun.  If you are interested in more information on this program I highly recommend you call (585) 436-9019 or email them from their website TealightfulTreasures.com 

Help me out: Be sure to tell them Dawnya sent you!  I look forward to hearing your Tealightful adventures....

Do you already own or run a home tea business?  Post your comments and tell me what you love or hate about it...

To train or not to train?

Let me ask you a question.  

"Which type of person are you?" 

 

A.  Are you the "careful saver" who wants to live their dream but knows it has to be done on a budget?  

OR

B.  The wild and crazy "jump in and just do it!"  kind of business owner.

These two entreprenuers are not as different as they might seem.  In fact, believe it or not, both have set themselves up for a much higher rate of failure.  If we were to fast forward five years we would find that both of them lost their savings and their dream even though one was on a strict budget and the other "lived for the moment."  

But why?  What could they have done to increase their rate of success?  The answer is simple... they should have made their top priority themselves.  They should have invested in their personal education so that their tea dream had a fighting chance.

Let's see how this plays itself out:

Miss Budget is excited about her tea dream.  She has only $3,000 to work with so she knows she has to start small.  She has no plans to get training so she relys on internet research and friends to help her learn the industry.

Within the first month Miss Budget wastes  $400 by overpaying for tea, shipping and customs.  She had a friend who knew someone in China that could get her a great deal.  Turns out... had she known who to trust in the U.S. she would have saved a week's worth of work and saved her $400.  Bottom line: She lost 13%   of her total  investment right off.

The second month, Miss Budget decides she wants to package her own tea.  She spends a week calling all over to find the government agency that can help her to get approval.  The next week she spends trying to locate the requirements for a licensed kitchen.  The third week she realizes the idea won't work.  The fourth week she is back to square one.

In month three Miss Budget hears about Private Labeling.  WOW!  That is her answer.  She spends 4 weeks researching her options.  Finally she finds a contractor but realizes that she has lost 8 weeks on this project PLUS she already bought $1,000 of tea that she cannot package herself.  Uhg.

Now, I could go on and on but let's stop here and look at the facts. 

If Miss Budget had spent only $777 on herself in getting proper training, she would have had a savings of at least $1,400 plus 8 weeks of her time in just the first 3 months.   Miss Budget didn't save money she lost money by not getting help in advance!

If Miss Budget has taken a tea business course like

www.StartATeaBusiness.com she would have known what steps to take to private label, get a licensed kitchen, package tea, buy wholesale and much more.  If she had additional questions, she would have had a support team ready to help her by just shooting them a simple email.

Why do we require "experts" to have licenses and to spend years studying?  Why do we assume that "starting a business" is any different?  

Flushing your money down the toilet is FASTER and LESS PAINFUL than avoiding a tea education and learning things the hard way. My challenge is this.... THINK ABOUT IT.  Step away from the budget, step away from the "spur of the moment" and ask yourself this one question....

"If this wasn't me.  Would I advise my child to jump into a business that they knew nothing about or would I tell them they had to first go get some training?"

It's time we took a hard look at the truth.

"Our decisions decide the quality of our life and our minds are the greatest investment we have.  Our minds are our responsibility to grow and expand."  

So... what are you doing about it?