For the Love of Tea - Qi Fine Teas
Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Ivy Xu, owner of Qi Fine Teas, located in Portland, OR, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We are growers of wild green tea from the high mountains of rural China and do wholesale/retail of other excellent quality teas as well. Our customers are tea lovers who range from the most experienced professionals to those just starting to explore loose leaf tea.
Tell us about yourself
The love of tea, tea trees, tea mountains, and the great local food weaving through all of it provides more than enough motivation to greet each day with a big smile.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Going deeper into the tea world by becoming growers tops the list of our most rewarding accomplishments.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Deciding which teas from this year's harvest will make the grade and which ones will not.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
1. Research as much as possible in advance of opening.
2. Make a realistic business plan based on your research.
3. Be ready for changes and challenges that will inevitably come your way.
Anything else you'd like to share?
Loving what you do grows with time, patience, and dedication.
Where can people find you and your business?
https://www.instagram.com/qifineteas/
https://www.facebook.com/qifineteas/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.