Tea Business Dreams

Meet Victorian House Scones

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to produce your favorite recipe as a mix?  Meet Debbie Anderson founder of Victorian House Scones.  Let this excerpt from her recent Tea Radio interview bring you inspiration.

DS: “Hi, everyone. Welcome to another addition of Tea Radio. I am always thrilled to be bringing you some new and exciting things to do with tea and today we’re not actually focusing on tea itself we’re focusing on a companion article. A companion item that often goes hand in hand, and it’s not toast. So I would like to introduce you to The Scone Lady, from Victorian House Scones this is Debbie Anderson. And Debbie, welcome to the broadcast!

DA: Thank you. I’m happy to be here.

DS: It’s great to have you. Victorian House Scones is the name of your company, right?

DA: Right.

DS: And where are you guys located?

DA: We are located in Lafayette, Indiana.

DS: Okay, Indiana. And are you a retail location or, I know were going to talk a little about your website, so you do have a website if people are listening to this and are in Indiana is that a place they can actually drop by or what?

DA: We do not actually have a retail location. Our retail presence so to speak is our website. What we are primarily is wholesalers and manufactures of the scone mix and then we sell to tea rooms, gift shops, B&B’s and so on. So that they can either go ahead and retail our mixes or we also sell commercial size bags for them alone so that they can go ahead and serve scones to their guests.

DS: Fabulous, okay so let’s step back here because Debbie has agreed to let us in on a secret. Now some of you may actually be listening to this broadcast and have this question on your mind and that is “What is a scone?” Now Debbie do you ever get that question? What is a scone?

DA: I get this question all the time and of course if I say to someone “Would you like a sample of a scone?” they look at me like "Why would I want to eat rocks?" because they assume I said stone. A scone actually as I tell them is a biscuit, primarily; it’s more a biscuit than a cookie or a cake. Its origins lie in the British Isles, be it Scotland, be it England.

And where I first found them is I had father who when he was doing traveling he would pick up books at airports. He tended to pick up Miss Marple mysteries. And then he would hand then to me when he got back so I grew up reading Miss Marple. And if you ever read British mysteries they solve everything over tea and scones. I still never knew what a scone actually tasted like. But I knew they were very cool and obviously enlightening.

DS: So now that you not only eat them but manufacture them do you find that you’re solving a great deal of mysteries?

DA: Don’t I wish!

DS: Like a natural something that came to you after.

DA: Exactly. I became all wise and all knowing. Uh, no!

DS: That would be a good selling point right there! Well, let’s talk a little bit about your scone story because, how did you get from eating scones and reading Miss Marple mysteries to deciding to actually manufacture scones? What was that like? ......

(C) Dawnya Sasse 2007

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Want to hear the whole interview?  Sign up at www.TeaRadio.com and we will email you the link to the whole audio interview.

Atlanta Here I Come!

Dear Tea Family-

I am busy packing my bags and checking them twice.  In just a few days I will arrive at tea's premier industry event... the World Tea Expo. ( Do you have any idea how hard it is to travel with my collection of hats?) 

Dorothy my assistant (who oversees the Oregon operation) will be meeting me in Atlanta for the week.  I really look forward to seeing her and am so glad I will have someone there to run my life and tell me where I need to be and when.

What will I be doing there?

Take a peek:

10 Private Consultations

10 Private Tea Radio Interviews

Dinner with Tea Ambassadors (part of my upcoming Tea Business Network website)

Visiting 9 classes and writing reviews

Meeting New Vendors and Shopping for Pertinent Information for my Tea Business Students

Working with Anthony of Affinitea Brewing Technologies

Working with Gail of The Tea House Times (she sells my tea seminar cd's)

Meeting and Greeting Former Alumni from Around the World

Promoting my upcoming TeaCruise to Belize  (more info at www.TeaCruise.com )

As you can imagine it is going to be one busy week.  While I am away things will be progressing here in Kansas.  Right now awnings are being put on the front of my building and our new loft apartment is bring prepared for paint (I am up to my chin in paint samples).  Expect to see some photos in the near future.

Last but not least, I need to tell you about the fully updated Start A Tea Business online tea school.  I have been hinting for a while that big changes were in store and I wasn't kidding. My new program is going to give students the best tea education possible from the comfort of their own home.  Be sure to read about our updated services below.  (we have been online with this class since 2003 and this is our BEST update ever.)

Well, I had better get to it.  I have clients arriving here in an hour.

Best of Tea,

Lady Dawnya

The Elegance of Blooming Teas

The Elegance and Excitement of Blooming Teas

By Dawnya Sasse

Are you about to have a tea party? If so, you
have the opportunity to captivate your guests
with display teas. If you are a very serious
tea drinker, you will know what display teas
are.

These specialty types of teas are also known as
artesian or flowering teas. Meant to enhance
the experience of the wonderful drink of tea,
display teas provide entertainment at tea
parties all around the world.

The art of display teas has been around for
thousands of centuries. The very first time
that a display tea was used was during the Song
Dynasty. Tea leaves were tied up with flowers
for the Emperor’s entertainment. He never drank
the tea, however. It was merely a visual
enjoyment.

Display teas have only been made for
consumption purposes during the last few
decades. Artists who have a great amount of
talent pick out lovely flowers and long
tealeaves. These tealeaves are then withered,
rolled up, oxidized, and fired. Artists then
take great care to sew the flowers and the tea
together. The result produced is beautiful
display teas.

Many display teas are hand-sewn rosettes of tea
leaves that, when steeped, bloom into dazzling
and elegant shapes right inside your teapot.
What an excellent conversational piece for a
tea party!

Your guests will be absolutely
delighted with such a treat. Different display
teas have all different types of tastes – from
sweet to rich and from subtle to bold.

Now that you know what display teas are, let’s
take a closer look at some types of these teas
look and taste like.

One type of popular display tea is Queen Victoria Flower tea. This
type of tea is from China, and is flavored with
Chrysanthemum. There are several blooms that
are enclosed in the flower, and during steeping
they are released. Imagine the soft, flowery
taste of this enchanting tea delighting all of
the guests at your party.

Another type of display tea is Jasmine Silver
Balls. This is also a type of tea from China.
Very light green in color, it has a delicate
Jasmine flavoring to it. These tea balls are
hand rolled and hand- tied. When steeped, they
open up into a flower-like blossom.

Black Sea Anemone is another fine display tea
that is made in China. It hails from the
province of Anhui. Black Sea Anemone is crafted
into tiny wheels, with each wheel containing
about two hundred hand-tied buds. When these
buds are infused with water, the leaves blossom
out into the shape of sea anemones.

Black Sea Anemone happens to be a black tea;
however, it is nearly impossible to over-steep.
It can be steeped for over five minutes without
becoming bitter! Furthermore, it can be infused
over and over again. It is sure to be an
exciting drink for your guests to taste!

Display teas, in general, can be brewed longer
and do not become bitter when they have an
extended steeping. Longer brewing time will
also allow you to enjoy the flowers and other
shapes opening up in your pot.

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This article may be distributed freely on your website, as
long as this entire article, including links
and this resource box are unchanged. Copyright
2007 Dawnya Sasse All Rights Reserved

Travel Season: Oregon, Kansas and Atlanta

  Dear Tea Family-

I am writing you from Oregon where I am working for a week before returning to Kansas.  We are now fully operational in phase 1 of our renovation project.  I am loving every moment in my new Kansas space and I so appreciate each and every kind email I have received from you along this journey.  Thanks.

Well, we are coming into the busy season now with several trips in the making.  I will definitely look forward to seeing many of you in Atlanta this June at the World Tea Expo.  For those of you who may be new to the tea industry you may be under the impression that the World Tea Expo is the place to go for your tea business training. 

Actually, that is not the case at all.  The World Tea Expo is a wonderful place to add to a solid foundation with supplemental classes. However, most previous alumni have told me that the expo actually frustrates them if they haven't had previous training going in.  That of course is why the World Tea Expo is a trade only event designed for professionals in the field.

The good news is that you can be a professional with a firm foundation and save hundreds of dollars in my online class. (without ever leaving home)  Mark your calendars and enroll now in the June 3rd Start A Tea Business class.

Not attending the expo?  No problem.  Be sure to read this months fabulous one time ever promotion.  This month is the last month to grab my online class at its current low, low, price.  Next month tuition will increase substantially.  (it's really that good!)

I have packed my bags and look forward to reporting to you from Oregon, Kansas and Atlanta in the next few weeks.

Here's to summer!

Lady Dawnya

P.S.  How would you like to meet me in Belize?  Grab all the information on my amazing February 2008 TeaCruise to Belize.  www.TeaCruise.com

Tea Time Bingo

Meet Cheryl Dunbar

Creator of Teago- The Teatime Bingo Game

Do you long to enjoy new and exciting ways to drink tea and spend time with friends? If you have been bitten by the “tea bug” you will really enjoy this private interview with Cheryl Dunbar, creator of Teago.

Discover how and why Cheryl created her now infamous tea time game and how you can use it to add a fresh new wind to your afternoon tea celebrations.

Lady Dawnya:

Welcome everyone ..I’m not sure if all of you know Cheryl Dunbar by name but I bet you know her game, Tea Time Bingo, which is also called Teago. I am so excited to be able to introduce you to Cheryl because she is a native Texan and she is definitely no stranger to creative design.

She is the owner of Just Set the Mood, an Event Design company in the Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas area. Her company specializes in planning and executing themed events. She also owns Dunbar’s Upper Crust; she is the proud owner of a sweet shop that specializes in Gourmet Pecan Pies and Pastries for special occasions.

If that’s not enough, in her spare time she came up with this wonderful game, Tea Time Bingo. I think she also has a few other things up her sleeve. I am pleased to introduce Cheryl to all of our Tea Radio listeners today. Welcome to the broadcast Cheryl.

Cheryl Dunbar:

Thank you, Dawnya.

DS: Great to have you with us. Of course, I have your game here and I have gotten to play it with friends several times; very fun. I wanted to ask you, how did you get started in the Tea industry?

CD: I used to work at Hotel Adolphus, which is well renowned in Dallas and other places. I was just captivated by the charm of Afternoon Tea; the ritual is so formal there. I invited a friend for a milestone birthday that she was having.

The Captain came out in tails and gloves and he asked if it was our first time, then he proceeded to tell the story. I just sat there and thought ‘I never want to lose this feeling’ and I wanted to share it with other people. That was pretty much how I got started.

DS: So he told the story of Afternoon Tea?

CD: He told the history of Afternoon Tea, how it started, how it came about.

DS: That’s wonderful. It really added to your whole experience then.

CD: It definitely added. Of course, all of us as little girls played tea parties and that type of thing.

We all know that when you get sick that your mother gives you a cup of tea, but it’s definitely not your mother’s cup of tea anymore. The formality of solidifying this as an event, as a ritual, was just breathtaking for me.

DS: What was your background before you got interested in Afternoon Tea?

CD: I’ve always been interested in entertaining, so my background has been Administration and assisting high-level executives where I was always planning events for them with clients.

Then, I never realized that it was truly a profession. So I transferred that over into Hospitality in hotels, doing sales and catering events at hotels. That’s pretty much the background.

DS: That’s great. Your personal tea story kind of started with this hotel experience, is that right?

CD: The personal tea story did start with the hotel experience that is correct.

DS: How did you get from having a great time at Afternoon Tea to thinking ‘Hey, I’m going to create a tea game’?

(for the complete story on Cheryl's bingo game, Teago, go to the live interview at

http://www.tearadio.typepad.com/web/)

Tea Events Moves to Kansas

Dear Tea Family-

We moved to Kansas 6 weeks ago and boy has it been busy.  Imagine 13,000 square feet of disaster zone and you get the picture.  Yet, hope rises with the dawning of each new day and today I am eagerly anticipating the completion of my office.

The paint is on, the carpet is in, the furniture has been delivered.  I am just waiting on the finishing touches to be complete and then I will officially "move in."  I can't wait to be writing you next month from my new desk.

As I ponder the process of this move (2 full years!) I am naturally drawn to think about you and your tea dream.  My tea dream started in 1997 when I looked in the back of a tea magazine.  I saw an ad for tea consultants and I something settled in my spirit.  I knew that tea was for me.  Along the way my business has changed and evolved.  Now 9 years, 2 tea rooms and 12 websites later I am still passionately in love with tea.  My commitment to launching your tea dream into reality is greater than ever.  I believe with all my heart and my soul that NOW is the time for you to jump in and make it happen.  You really can't afford to wait.

April 8th is my next online class.  Invest your tax return in yourself.  You won't be sorry.

From the high plains,

Lady Dawnya

Finally Moved- Construction Begins

Hi Tea Family-

After 18 months of planning we have finally added a second office and moved our main Tea Events headquarters from Oregon to Kansas. What an adventure.  I am currently huddling up near a heater as the temperature here is a mere 10 degrees.  Last night it snowed and the streets have 8 inches of snow piled high on the sides of the road.  Winter is definitely here for a while. 

Our offices are in progress and I look forward to sharing a few photos with you along the way.  Here is the snowy view from my new office window.  My ceiling is slowly being put into place.  It will eventually be a chocolate brown with gold gilding. That is the latest from Washington, Kansas.   

Now onto the latest in the tea realm.  Did you know that NOW is the time to start a tea business?  Why? Because tea is no longer a trend it has tipped into a lifestyle choice.  That's right lifestyle!  When your customer desires lifestyle change...you can provide a healthy, energy bringing product.  You can change a life by providing high quality loose leaf tea.

March is the perfect time to study 17 different types of tea business opportunities and find the one that is right for you.  You can change your life and the lives of others by enrolling in our money saving online class.  You don't even have to leave home and cross through the snow, you don't have to drag your bag through an airport. And in March for the first time ever I am offering an AMAZING NEW BONUS for all early bird registrations.  Be sure to listen to my audio below.

In addition, you are going to love this super complete new tea party article that I have included for your enjoyment.  Plan your own Old Fashion Tea for fun or for profit!

Well, that's it from the snowy state of Kansas.  I look forward to working with you soon,

Lady Dawnya

   

If Tea is Hot - Why Are Tearooms Closing?

Today it happened. The tea rooms in my hometown closed. There is nothing worse than seeing a place of solace close its doors for lack of business.

A heavy, somber grief came upon me.

How can I teach people about the tea business when the tearooms in my own area are closing?

Well, I had tried...

I visited the tea room owners and offered my services for free. I wanted to help them stay afloat. It was important to me that my hometown have a tearoom.

But when I looked in the owners eyes and I could see it was already decided. It was over. No amount of wishing ,suggestions or encouragement could change things. The war had been lost. The retreat had been sounded.

This leads me to one question: "If Tea is So Hot.. Why Are Tea Rooms Closing?"

Here are some thoughts:

__________________________

It's Business not Pleasure

__________________________

Owning and operating a tea room has long been an American tradition. Tearooms became popular in the early 1900's providing the first viable "career" for American women. Tea rooms has long been the stuff of legends and dreams.

Pretty China

Soft Lace Tablecloths

Classical music

AND TONS OF LABOR Intensive WORK.

Unfortunately, most people who start tea rooms know little or nothing about tea, the tea industry and business in general. Often times a tea room owner spends their life savings starting their dream and skimps on little things like a business plan and heavy duty industry training.

You wouldn't wake up one day and decide to open a dry cleaning store if you didn't know anything about how to operate the equipment, get clients, etc. Why would you open a tea room without training?

This remains a tea time mystery.

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Capital For the Long Haul

_______________________

I once had a potential client contact me about starting a tea room. Her first sentences included the fact that she needed money immediately and that she didn't have enough to pay for my course.

Stop right there!

Owning and operating a tea room or a tea bar takes capital. Just like any other business, a tea room requires 3- 5 years of funding.

If you need a salary right now, you should not be opening a tea room. If you can't afford $397 to get training, you can't afford to start a tea room.

Seems basic right?

As the tea industry grows we are experiencing the changing of the guard. Out goes the untrained and unfunded and in comes business minded, highly fluid companies. It is as simple as that.

Progress means change.

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Life Changes and Life Style

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Owning a tea room is a very personal and very involved undertaking. Often times the owner of a tea room has a health crisis or a family situation which makes it impossible to continue giving themselves to their customers.

In addition, few tea room owners take time to analyze their own personal wants and desires.

Recently, I spoke with a tea room owner who secretly confessed that she "hated her tea room." She said she had opened it only because of pressure from clients in her gift store. "Where are they now?" she wailed.

Good question.

A successful tea room or tea business MUST be based on the owners heart's desire. Think through the process and find what you like and what you hate. Do what you love and avoid what you hate. Its as simple as that.

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Marketplace Mania

____________________

A change is happening in the tea industry. It's growing up and getting smart. It no longer relies on tea alone to make all the profits. It is looking for friends in the marketplace. Here are some great examples:

Spas and Tea

Florists and Tea

Books and Tea

Music and Tea

or a combination of all of the above. Rent is high. How can you cut down your costs? A successful tea business owner must look to the market place and find help. Pooling customers, sharing mailings and diversifying your offerings is necessary for a tea business to survive.

In Summary,

The passing of a tea room is a sad thing. It means that someone's vision has died. But, a seed planted in the ground can still bear fruit. Learn from the tea rooms of yesterday and make your tea business successful today.

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by Lady Dawnya Sasse (reprinted from 2005)

Lady Dawnya is the author of the world's first online tea training course entitled "Start A Tea Business and Start A Childrens Tea Party Business. She is also the owner of Tea Events, a tea business training company based in Redmond, OR.

I'm Moving - Bonus Savings

   

Have you ever dreamed of just picking up everything and moving into the great unknown?

I have and in just 1 week I am leaving Oregon and moving 1,600 miles away.  But here is the catch.  I can't take everything with me.  There is just no way... and this is where the deal gets sweet for you!

Enroll in the Start A Tea Business Class by February 1st (the day I move) and grab my top three training seminars (which are not part of the Start A Tea Business Class) for FREE!  (this is a $111 savings)

When you enroll I will send you:

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Planning the Perfect Tea Party (our most popular cd)

Planning the Perfect Tea Party is your personal road map to step by step tea party success. Learn the ins and outs of hosting a tea party with panache' while balancing your guests, menu, service and a whole lot more.

Looking to simplify? No problem. This CD also features a bonus seminar entitled” Teatime in Hurry.” Simple ideas for a daily tea party lifestyle

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The Best of Tea Radio

Discover the secrets of successful tea entrepreneurs as recently profiled on Tea Radio (TM). This compilation CD includes interviews with four energetic entrepreneurs whose ordinary lives have overcome modest beginnings, discouragement and defeat on their road to pursuing their passion, Tea.

This CD includes interviews with the general manager, owner and editors of the following tea businesses, Dethlefson and Balk,  The Tea House Times, Marmaladys.com, Tea Experience Digest.

80 full minutes in length

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How To Work Less, Get Paid More and Have Tons of Fun with Children's Tea Parties

Children’s Tea Parties are all the rage. Discover how you can quickly and easily start a Children’s Tea Party business, without a location, from your dining room table. Lady Dawnya will be sharing with you her 5 secrets to making every Children’s Tea Party a success and how to keep your customers coming back for more!

This is the PERFECT business for stay at home mom’s or women looking for quick part-time income. Drop everything and enroll today in this inspiring seminar!

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Don't wait.. this special is gone as soon as the moving truck picks up my stuff! (February 1st)  Enroll Now:  www.StartATeaBusiness.com

Home from Tampa- Goodbye Oregon

Hi Tea Family,

I just returned from our first annual TeaCruise and what an exciting time we had.  Imagine 48 guests all coming together with a love of tea and a desire to start the new year right.  I will be giving a full report on the trip including pictures, video and a detailed description in the next couple of weeks so be sure to watch for it! 

After two days of "sleeping it off,"  I was back to my energetic self and just in time. In just one short week I will be packing up the last of my families possessions and moving cross country to the great state of Kansas.

Kansas?

Yep. We are in the process of renovating two historic buildings into the new Tea Events headquarters.  Centrally locating our business will help us better connect with you, our Tea Family and will speed up my many travels.

Renovation will be our focus for 2007.  Hopefully our loft style apartment will be complete sometime before 2008 and our offices will be done shortly. (keep your fingers crossed :)

In the meantime it is business as usual.  Every day I have the opportunity to train people just like you from all around the globe. I love revealing the "inside scoop" on the tea industry.  Catch the vision for 2007 and make your tea dreams a reality.

And get this!  I'm moving but you can benefit.  For every student that signs up by February 1st (my moving date) I will be giving away 3 bonus cd seminars. (a $111 value).  Don't miss this amazing offer.

Teaching You Tea,

Lady Dawnya