Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Samah Bensalem, CEO of Secrets of Tea, located in Miami, FL, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Secrets of Tea began with "Babies' Magic Tea," a blend of herbs that helps relieve painful gas and colic in infants. I founded Secrets of Tea's and had been searching for a remedy for my first child's colic, that's when I discovered an old family remedy - a special tea blend that had been used by my family for generations, which my grandmother who was a natural healer told me about it. After giving it to my daughter and seeing firsthand the almost "magical" results, I decided I couldn't simply keep this remedy to myself.
When I blended the first Babies' Magic Tea for my daughter, I was so excited by the results that I just had to find a way to make it available to help other infants and their parents - because, let's face it, when your baby is uncomfortable, you feel helpless.
In those early days, I never imagined how this tea - and some others that we've developed since then - would resonate with so many customers all over the world. It's encouraging to see so many people turning to natural remedies to relieve things such as colic. It just spurs me to continue to research and develop teas and herbal blends that can help people of all ages live healthier lives. Secrets of Tea continues to expand its product line. The initial offering of Babies' Magic Tea inspired additional "maternity-based" teas: Healthy Nursing Tea, Mummy Magic Weight Loss Tea, No To Morning Sickness Tea, and Relaxing Mama Stress-Reducing Tea. And the product line has continued to grow with other teas blended for mind, body, and spirit.
Tell us about yourself
What got me started working on my business was a product that I believe in; it helped my baby, so I wanted to help other babies too; what motivates each day to do what I do is my customers, I provide the best healing teas in the market: ( fertility tea/ baby teas/ sleep teas/ pregnancy teas….) when my customer calls to thank me for getting pregnant using my tea, or a mom calls to say God bless you for your Babies Magic Tea, it is really helping m baby feel and sleep better. For me, that is the best motivation to do more and to do better.
When I create my tea blends, I never worry about the cost or how hard it is to find the ingredients; all I worry about is to give my customers the best blends because that's what they deserve. For me, that is the reason for my success.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I started my multi-million dollar company with only $350; I never took a loan or even used a credit card, that is something to be proud of, but my biggest accomplishment is when my customers call on a daily basis to say thank you, your product is helping and making a change in my life, for me that is the biggest success.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
My business keeps me very busy, so sometimes I feel guilty because I'm not spending enough time with my three kids. Also, some companies are copying my blends, which is annoying, but I know that they will never get these blends right because I put a lot of love into mine.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Find some you love and enjoy doing.
- Never give up.
- Believe in yourself, see yourself succeeding, and it will happen.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://secretsoftea.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Secretsoftea/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/secretsoftea/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/secretsoftea
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samah-bensalem-072a00160/
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.
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