Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabrielle Kelley.
Hi Gabrielle, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
When I was a little girl, about 9 years old, I was obsessed with tea and I knew that I wanted to be an entrepreneur and an author. My parents, being business owners themselves in Dallas, TX, set a wonderful example of showing me an entrepreneurial spirit and fed my tea addiction by allowing me to choose various teas in our local grocer every time we shopped. In 2014, I found myself, however, working deep in tech at Microsoft in Las Colinas, TX. I realized that I was far from the world of owning my own business, writing, or becoming an author and the lovely past-times of reading and tea sipping had even escaped my daily routines.
That same year, I decided that my cubicle would only be a prison during working hours and that after I clocked out, I would free myself up to do the things that I loved: reading, writing, and tea. To kill three birds with one stone, I created a tea and book blog called Tea End., where I shared teas that I sipped and books that I read. Today, Tea End. is the of blog of books, tea, and everything me! I share tea reviews, interesting tea shops and plantations that I visit. I also share book reviews and interviews of authors that I have enjoyed since childhood. Tea End. is also a bit more personal as I share parts of my life, my aspirations, and my own work in tea and literature.
Today, I concentrate on continually sharing information about tea and books while aspiring towards my authorship. My first book, “Enchant Your Life – 7 Tips on Living Happily Ever After” will be available soon and I am certainly looking forward to sharing the fundamental 7 ways in which I have added delight and charm to my life with all my fellow tea sipping bookworms!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Creating Tea End. was a challenge because the responsibilities of life can be so overwhelming. At the time that I started Tea End, I was working full-time at Microsoft as a Windows Phone & Windows Store Technician. The occupation consumed my time, energy, and focus and although it paid my bills, it definitely succeeded at being a distraction from the more creative ventures that I desired.
Learning to manage my time and energy, to continue to provide content, and to make connections with my fellow tea-sipping bookworms and with those in the tea and book industries was difficult. However, with focus and dedication, I was able to surmount the obstacles in front of me and stay connected. Today, I have created a loving and engaging community of tea-sipping bookworms from all over the world and all walks of life!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Gabie is a tea and book blogger who curates information about tea and literature and their industries. She provides an online space for tea-sipping bookworms to form a community around the topics of tea-sipping, reading, and writing. She shares tea, books, her creations, and her publications online as well as in the Tea End. Pop-Up Shop.
Tea End. specializes in beautiful and informative content about tea and literature and also is the birthplace of The Grace & Gratitude Journal, a journal that promotes the intentional daily practice of showing gracefulness and appreciation.
Tea End. is known for books, tea, and everything Gabie! Book and tea reviews help tea-sipping bookworms choose their next read and sip and Gabie’s personality captivates the audience to make tea-sipping and reading personable and accessible to people of all backgrounds.
Gabie is most proud of the community of tea-sipping bookworms who subscribe to and follow Tea End. They are the reason why she continues to provide beautiful and interesting content about tea and books and her inspiration to continue to work towards her authorship.
Tea End. is largely classified as a tea blog but the life of a tea sipper is so much more nuanced. Tea sippers are usually avid readers, lovers of the arts, and interested in history relating to tea and literature. Tea End. is set apart from other tea blogs because it isn’t just a tea blog; it is a blog for the tea-sipping bookworm and their entire lifestyle.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I find it really funny that I, the creator of a tea and book community, didn’t realize how important it was for me to put MYSELF in a community that would be conducive to my progress and success. In this past year, while living in a not-so-affluent area for the sake of saving money and proximity to family and friends, I have learned just how important it is to live in a community where I am able to network and access resources that can propel me forward. Our environments influence us and can affect the way we see our future. I learned that in order for me to create organic networking opportunities and maintain a creative mentality, I must live in a space where I am surrounded by people that I admire and that provides resources that encourage productivity. We may not have the money to hire a life coach or mentor, but we all can be more selective with the type of communities that we live in. From now on, I will only live in communities that I can network in and communities that have resources to facilitate my success!
Pricing:
- The Grace & Gratitude Journal – $12 + S&H
Contact Info:
- Website: www.teaendblog.com
- Instagram: @teaendblog, @thegraceandgratitudejournal, @gabietheauthor
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TeaEndBlog
Image Credits
Gabie – Tea End.
