TeaCo, LLC
Myra Ceasar
Co-Founder
Age: 29
Born and currently residing in Arlington, VA
Any given day, especially the weekend you can find Myra Ceasar manning her table full of organic teas and honey. She covers the whole DMV area frequenting such community markets as Eastern Market, Columbia Pike Farmers Market, Health and Fitness Expos, Natural Hair Care Expos, and Community Events.
Her company, rightfully named TeaCo, LLC was started in 2006 to promote health and wellness through tea in a comfortable, lounge environment.
Starting as a full-service cafe and lounge in Richmond, VA they closed the cafe in 2009 because of the drastic change in the economy. They quickly made the decision to hit the local market scene. Now you can purchase their teas and other products via www.tea-co.com and local food/farmers markets throughout the DC Metro area.
UTP: What are your best memories selling your products?
Myra Ceasar: My best memories and current feelings while vending is to serve our customers well. I feel like the one-on-one interaction in addition to our high-quality products creates a value-added service to our customers. Most of my customers have my personal contact info if they ever have questions or need a quick tea fix delivered to them!=)
UTP: What are some obstacles you've faced as a small business?
MC: The economy and people's spending habits affected the growth of our business in Richmond, VA during its start-up phase. Finances are the lifeline of a business, and its important to know who your target audience is and aggressively market to them. I advise all entrepreneurs to do a lot of market research PRIOR to opening up a venue or investing large amounts of money into a business venture. With a consumable item, markets and food-related events are our niche, and we had to learn that over years of trying different venues.
UTP: What keeps you going?
MC: In the midst of uncertainty, prayer and reflection keeps me sane. I also keep checklists of things I need to do to keep myself organize, and I am anal about every dollar spent and made within my business (follow the money!=) I also drink all of my teas and I'm an avid exerciser, hitting the gym at least 5-6 times a week outside of my event schedule. I also run local 5K races for charity =)
Quotes/Scriptures that you live by:
MC: "It is what it is"
“Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.” - Mother Teresa
Matthew 25- Click to Read
Co-Founder
Age: 29
Born and currently residing in Arlington, VA
Any given day, especially the weekend you can find Myra Ceasar manning her table full of organic teas and honey. She covers the whole DMV area frequenting such community markets as Eastern Market, Columbia Pike Farmers Market, Health and Fitness Expos, Natural Hair Care Expos, and Community Events.
Her company, rightfully named TeaCo, LLC was started in 2006 to promote health and wellness through tea in a comfortable, lounge environment.
Starting as a full-service cafe and lounge in Richmond, VA they closed the cafe in 2009 because of the drastic change in the economy. They quickly made the decision to hit the local market scene. Now you can purchase their teas and other products via www.tea-co.com and local food/farmers markets throughout the DC Metro area.
UTP: What are your best memories selling your products?
Myra Ceasar: My best memories and current feelings while vending is to serve our customers well. I feel like the one-on-one interaction in addition to our high-quality products creates a value-added service to our customers. Most of my customers have my personal contact info if they ever have questions or need a quick tea fix delivered to them!=)
UTP: What are some obstacles you've faced as a small business?
MC: The economy and people's spending habits affected the growth of our business in Richmond, VA during its start-up phase. Finances are the lifeline of a business, and its important to know who your target audience is and aggressively market to them. I advise all entrepreneurs to do a lot of market research PRIOR to opening up a venue or investing large amounts of money into a business venture. With a consumable item, markets and food-related events are our niche, and we had to learn that over years of trying different venues.
UTP: What keeps you going?
MC: In the midst of uncertainty, prayer and reflection keeps me sane. I also keep checklists of things I need to do to keep myself organize, and I am anal about every dollar spent and made within my business (follow the money!=) I also drink all of my teas and I'm an avid exerciser, hitting the gym at least 5-6 times a week outside of my event schedule. I also run local 5K races for charity =)
Quotes/Scriptures that you live by:
MC: "It is what it is"
“Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.” - Mother Teresa
Matthew 25- Click to Read
