Today we’d like to introduce you to Tempest Woodford
Hi Tempest, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve always been an avid tea connoisseur but the thing that has always been difficult is actually finding quality loose leaf tea blends. There used to be one major chain that was around for a long time until a popular coffee chain acquired them and then closed them. I felt that left a void for those of us that are niched tea drinkers. So I started building relationships with different tea estates and blending my own. I purchased a dehydrator and started drying my own fruit and herbs and started blending away and hitting farmers markets in the Dallas Metroplex. One thing that was very important to me was the aesthetic of the packaging. I wanted the packaging to present luxury and make consumers proud of their purchase. So with luxe tea jars and tea presentation gift boxes my very supportive husband and I would split up on the weekends and set up at different markets in the DFW. I saw the demand was there and decided to keep with it and that lead to permanent Boothtique location at the Frisco Fresh Market. We have 2 Boothtiques. One where we focus on the loose leaf tea blends that you brew at home and the other that offers tea on the go that you can drink for consumption onsite. That was something that our customers kept asking for so we met that demand. We are still looking to grow and expand like any other company but we realize you have to crawl before you walk and I respect the journey. It’s been a fun ride and My Tea Aura looks forward to what’s ahead !
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Starting a business is hard work . There are definitely sacrifices that are made to keep this business going. Working farmers markets take a lot of work because it is a full set up that you do in 100 + weather and on some days 30 below weather . Then of course the funding came out of our bank accounts from money made from regular employment. No outside funding to assist. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t lose a lot of sleep making sure our inventory was up for the weekend markets and online orders. I have so many customers that tell me to apply to get on Shark Tank. Lol. Listen, I need someone to tell Mark Cuban there is a gem right here in Frisco , TX. Tell him to come see me! All in all… A lot of time is vested but I wouldn’t change it for anything though.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I do work in Corporate America at a top Tech 4PL company as a Systems Integration Analyst. I configure and map out systems for different companies that use the company’s transportation management system. My degree is in Supply Chain so I started in operations and at one point transitioned into the technical side . I enjoy the work I do .
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up I had so many aspirations it’s comical. I thought I was going to do everything from being a lawyer , professional model, air traffic controller, you name it . When I got to college at University of Central Arkansas I was humbled by all of the classes and quickly realized I could only pick one.
Pricing:
- My Tea Aura’s individual jars of tea have a price point between 28.99 – 49.99
- My Tea Aura Tea Presentation boxes 99.99-129.99
- My Tea Aura Tea infusers 11.99-27.99
- My Tea Aura Agave Nectar 8.99-12.99
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.MyTeaAura.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myteaaura?igsh=cmdodmkzbDU1c3pm&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/RuVK4syXfuBGtZrC/?mibextid=LQQJ4d
