Tea Business Dreams

Sipping Tea and Planning the Future

HI Tea Family-

Kansas is longing for spring and so am I!  It seems we get peeks of it now and then but nothing too serious.  Today it is cold, dark and dreary.  I am assured by everyone I meet that this is one unusual weather pattern.  I sure hope so!

In the meantime, I am working away in my office sipping tea. Today I am sampling a new company who has sent me a series of samples.  So far I give it two thumbs up. Legacy Tea Blends offers an interesting array of hand blended teas.  You can check them out for yourself at www.NaturalChoicesBotanica.com  Today I am tasting their House Blend which is actually an herbal tisane.  It includes Orange peel, rose hips, chamomile, spearmint, peppermint, hibiscus, lemongrass & red raspberry leaf.  Contains no artificial flavors, colors or caffeine.  A GREAT choice when you are looking for a bit of "calm" in the midst of your day.

Our tea business class was packed this April and we are already taking new students for May.  May will be a super month to take the online class because every new student will be getting a special World Tea Expo bonus.  Watch my blog for upcoming details.

I have been busy hiring new people and training staff for new positions.  I am also LOVING the plans we are putting together for the 2009 Tea Cruise. All the details will be available next month.  In addition I am sorting out one last trek across the Rocky Mountains.   1 last Uhaul  and we will be finished.  I can't wait to get everything in one place.  That will feel great.  The cross country trip will probably happen later in the month.

I was reflecting on what I wanted to share with you this month on the tea business.  The only thought that came to mind is this "there is no better time than the present." 

I am not saying that to sell you on a product I am telling you the truth.  Getting started is the hardest part. Committing to moving forward is the best way to get unstuck. Take a leap of faith and see where it takes you.  I would have never guessed that when I jumped into tea (in 1997) I would end up owning 2 tea rooms, an internet company, a tea based camp program an online radio station and a whole lot more...

Who knows what tea has for you?  It's time to move forward and the best way to do that is close your eyes and leap. Enroll in the Start A Tea Business online school for May 4th.  You will be glad you took the plunge.

More Soon,

Lady Dawnya

Start A Tea Business (TM) on May 4th 2008

I am often asked questions about my Start A Tea Business (TM) online training program.  I started this online tea business school in 2003 and we have touching every corner of the globe ever since.  It's amazing how many people have tea dreams and I feel honored to answer the questions you email in. 

Here are answers to just a few of your questions:

#1 Are you a real person?

I get this question regularly and always have to laugh.  Yep. I'm real and yep. I have a legitimate internet based training company.  If you want to know more about me as a person here are some links:

This is my bio:  http://teaevents.com/meet_lady_dawnya.htm


This is my personal life blog: http://www.MyLifeInKansas.com

Here's a quick snap of me working away in my new Kansas office:

Yep.  I am a real tea lover just like you.




#2 If we are in a recession why should I start a tea business?

History shows that there is no better time to start an extra income stream than in hard financial times.  I am pleased to say that I have trained many students who were downsized from corporate companies and needed a new career.  I have also trained mom's who needed extra money for their food budget.  Either way. laying a solid foundation for your tea business will save you thousands and thousands of dollars.

If you have been wondering what the future holds it's time to grab the future by the arms and declare "The future is what I make of it and my future is tea!"

#3 Why is the tea business a good industry to be in?

If you watch the media or read magazines you will find several common themes.

* Health
* Weightloss
*Anti- Aging
*Serenity
*Family Time

All of these concepts are embedded in tea.  Tea is a 5,000 year old product which has helped people for centuries reach for a better life. In the US tea sales are growing rapidly and new estimates say that by 2012 tea will be a $15 billion dollar industry. 

My point?  There is PLENTY of room for you to establish your tea dream and make money in the process.

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If you have a question about the tea industry or my course feel free to email it to me:  tea@teaevents.com  Subject: Ask Lady Dawnya

For more information on the May 2008 class call 888-225-0252 or go directly to our very insightful website and enroll online:

www.StartATeaBusiness.com

A Jane Austen Tea Time Party

Jane Austen Revisited-

The Ultimate Austen Lover Tea Time Adventure

by Lady Dawnya Sasse

(be sure to scroll to the bottom to see video on a past Jane Austen event)

 

As time goes by, Jane Austen and tea never go out of fashion. In fact, they’ve both become almost trendy in recent years. So what better way to celebrate Jane Austen’s genius than with a tea party re-creating a few hours of her everyday life?

 

Invite guests to bring along a favorite passage from one of Austen’s books. The invitation can include a pictures of typical costumes from the early 1800’s. Encourage guests to consider wearing a shawl over modern clothes or experimenting with period dress. Empire waists were popular then, as were choker necklaces.

 

Bare polished wood was the look in decorating at the time, so be sure to have at least one dark wooden table to set off your most charming porcelain knick-knacks. Print out some scenes of Regency England from this Jane Austen website: http://www.pemberley.com/janeinfo/rgnclfil.html. Glue them to rectangular doilies and hang three doilies vertically, at least four inches apart, on a long strip of velvet ribbon. Hang heavy tassels from lamp pulls, window shades, and curtain tie-backs.

Greet each guest with the offer of a glass of sherry. Invite them to choose refreshments from a buffet table covered with a white table cloth, with lace borders separating the four areas serving tea, sandwiches, scones, and cookies. Run dark green ribbons through the lace borders for a decorative effect.

Have several card tables set up around the room, covered with dark green cloth. Each table can be set with a small teapot filled with hot water, plus milk, sugar, thinly sliced lemons, napkins, and silverware. The hot water is for refilling guests’ cups if they have kept their tea bags or are using individual tea strainers. Have a plate of sweet butter and a bowl of jelly at each table. Use tall candles in polished brass candlesticks to cast a flattering glow down on the seated guests.

As guests settle in, they can take turns reading their chosen passages from a Jane Austen book. If anyone has chosen a section with several speaking parts, ask for volunteers to act out the scene. If people seem shy about reading to the whole group, let them read just to the people at their table.

The Austen family liked many kinds of music, so you can’t go wrong with anything by Bach, Haydn, or Handel, or with Scottish or Irish folk songs. If you have guests who like to sing, invite them to perform, perhaps accompanied on the piano.

Once each table has four guests, announce the opening of a game of whist. No Jane Austen novel would be complete without a few rounds of whist among friends. This card game is simple enough for players to learn the rules in a few minutes, unlike its offspring, the game of bridge. Give each table a copy of the rules of whist, which you can print out from this website: http://www.pagat.com/whist/whist.html.

Menu:

Sherry

Green and black tea

Sliced chicken and cucumber sandwiches

Dilled salmon and cream cheese sandwiches

Drop biscuits

Freshly sliced French bread

Violet, mint, or rose jellies

Camembert cheese

Pound cake

Almond pudding

Need more ideas?  Here are some photos from a live Jane Austen tea party.