How to Start a Tea Business

culled from:wikihow.com

Tea is a drink that is popular in many countries. Not only is tea available in a variety of flavors, both caffeinated and decaffeinated, its numerous antioxidants make it a nutritionally sound beverage. Deciding how to start a tea business can be a profitable way to share this product with other tea lovers around the world.

Steps

1

Find a supplier.

• The best. most popular teas come from the leaves, barks, and roots of plants and trees grown in China, Africa and India. While you may be able to obtain teas from other parts of the world, their quality may not be as high as those grown in these three regions.
• Contact companies who are already experienced in exporting tea to other parts of the world. Make sure that these individuals are aware of exactly what types of teas you are interested in carrying, and have agreed to a specific price, before signing a contract.

1. 
   2
   Determine what your niche will be.
   • In today's ever-growing entrepreneurship environment, determining how you will set your business apart is crucial. No matter if you choose to sell nutritionally sound, high-end, or exotic teas, identifying your specific angle and sticking to it is a necessary step. Ask yourself what would be unique and different about this business, for example better packing, unique recipes, etc.
2. 
   3
   Choose the channels of distribution.
   • Tea is versatile enough to allow for sale both in person and over the Internet. Determining the channel through which you will sell your tea requires much thought and consideration.
   • When setting up your online store, make sure to post clear pictures and accurate descriptions of the product. In addition, creating a PayPal account can make receiving payments from customers hassle-free.
   • Selling tea in an actual store requires more time and consideration. Tea business owners should first find a location which is affordable to rent or buy, but which also offers high amounts of traffic. In addition, ensuring that the store is located in an area frequented by the types of customers who may purchase the tea is essential. Finally, designing the layout of the store and evaluating the need for additional employees should be considered when using this channel of distribution.
3. 
   4
   Make sure inventory levels are high.
   • When selling through an online retailer, this means not only having adequate amounts of the tea ready at any given time, but also envelopes, stamps, and receipt books. Checking your customer requests several times a day may be necessary to ensure rapid and satisfactory results.
   • When selling teas in a store, making sure that adequate amounts of the product is available is still necessary. Small gift boxes, tissue paper, and shopping bags may also be required.
4. 
   5
   Market the tea.
   • Without customers, your organization will not succeed. Depending on the type of business and the customer base, marketing and advertising can be done on the Internet, through magazines, newspapers, or even in television commercials. Update your advertisements on a regular basis to stay fresh and attract new customers.
   • Try to get a balance. The most successful businesses are those which keep a balance between profit and a commitment of giving quality products and services. This is something which helps in the long run.