Today we’d like to introduce you to Rebekah Durling.
Rebekah, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
At Age 13, I got my first poodle, a black miniature, I named Anna Jean. She was the sweetest little thing and I enjoyed 13 wonderful years with her. January 2015, my sweet little Anna passed away leaving me devastated and the search began for another poodle. That April, I got my Knightly Bear, a black standard, who weighed 12 lbs at only seven weeks old! Later, that Summer, I came up with an idea for what would become my first tea blend, ‘Sweet Anna.’ I realized that tea blending might be the answer to my desire to own and operate my own business. Sweet Anna and my company, Black Poodle Tea Co. were debuted on October 23rd, 2015 on what would have been Anna’s 14th birthday. Since then, I have developed a large variety of flavors with over 30 tea blends (most of which, are named for beloved pets of both friends and family) as well as delightful holiday specialties. I started selling at a weekly farmer’s market in February 2017 and now my Spring, Fall and Christmas seasons are full of fun Pop-ups. Recently I have been expanding my business to a website and a display at a local gift shop. I am excited to see where it goes from there.
Has it been a smooth road?
I like to think of them as challenges. Actually, Some of the tougher ones have been: changing my packaging to a more professional level and adding a variety of sizes. My latest challenge has been redesigning my labels to achieve the next level of a professional look. Perhaps the most frustrating yet funny challenge is trying to convince people that just because there is a poodle on the label, doesn’t”t mean it is for dogs.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Black Poodle Tea Co. – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
My company is a tea blending business named for my black poodles and since it’s named for them, my package sizes are named for the different poodle sizes: Standard, Miniature, Toy, and Teacup. As I mentioned before, I have over 30 varieties of flavors in black, green, white, red and herbal teas. I like to have someones favorite in each category. Every blend is original and I have fun playing with the name of a pet and making it into a catchy blend name. My company is unique in the tea world because I package by servings versus weight. It is important to me, to offer blends that are mostly free of added sugars and other additives, so I use real spices, herbs, flowers and freeze-dried fruit to flavor my blends naturally.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love the fact that small businesses are appreciated and supported in our diverse Metroplex. With so many farmer’s markets, craft shows, and pop-up opportunities, small businesses really feel the love. While I love so many things about this area, I really wish there was more help and support on the rules and regulations of running a small business in one easy to find place, be it a booklet or website.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.blackpoodleteaco.com
- Phone: 817-228-7804
- Email: blackpoodleteaco@yahoo.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/@blackpoodleteaco
- Facebook: Facebook.com/blackpoodleteaco
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
