With interest increasing in specialty tea, it should come as no surprise that more people are interested in starting a tea business. The Tea Association of the USA estimates that the industry here increased from $1.84 billion in 1990 to $6.85 billion in 2007, with an estimated 2400 specialty tea rooms and retail shops now open.
Nowadays there’s no shortage of resources for the would-be entrepreneur. Search for assistance on how to start a food and/or beverage business and the number of resources is going to dwindle a bit but is still substantial. If you’ve narrowed your focus to running a launching a successful online tea retail store, advice geared specifically to your needs falls sharply and is often tied in with advice for would-be coffee sellers.
It’s well beyond the scope of a brief article to get a would-be tea business owner on their way, but there are some great resources geared toward this goal. Perhaps the best tidbit of advice for anyone embarking on this journey — whether it’s opening a tea house, tearoom, or an Internet-based or brick-and-mortar tea shop — would be to know the subject thoroughly.
Essential Books & Reading for Tea Entrepreneurs:
- If you’re looking for more targeted advice on starting a tea business, try How to Open a Financially Successful Coffee, Espresso & Tea Shop, by Elizabeth Godsmark, Lora Arduser, and Douglas R. Brown. This work is obviously not solely focused on tea business, but it’s an excellent look at the practical side of embarking on such a venture.
- For a similar approach, try Start Your Own Coffee & Tea Store, from Prentice Hall Press.
Industry Trade Journals & Magazines:
For the latest on what’s happening in the tea (and coffee) industry, there are two trade magazines that serve as fantastic resources. Fresh Cup Magazine and the Tea And Coffee Trade Journal are both specifically targeted to readers operating in the commercial beverage market. Print subscriptions are available, and selected articles and resources are posted at the magazines’ websites.
Online Planning Resources & Associations:
- For information about launching a digital storefront or a virtual academy, you can enroll in online programs at the Tea Business School.
- For an overview of structural strategy, you can review our foundational guide to drafting a tearoom business plan.
- Aspiring tea biz entrepreneurs in Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, Delaware, and West Virginia may want to take note of the regional networking opportunities provided by the Mid-Atlantic Tea Business Association.
Check out William’s blog, Tea Guy Speaks, for more great articles!
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