Research these brands and determine what makes them successful. Some market tea as a healthy option. When you do this research look for gaps in the market or ideas that nobody has thought of yet.
Once you have this clear vision you need to find the place in the market to pitch your product, and the customers you want to target. You need to be able to confidently express the distinct features of your brand. [2] X Research source During this stage, it’s also helpful to brainstorm possible names for your brand. Your brand name should be memorable, unique, and linked to your overall vision for your tea brand.
Products and services. This section details what your business will be selling, what your products are and your reasoning. Market analysis summary. Here you will record your market research and clearly identify the area in the market where you will push your product. Strategy and implementation summary. This section should give a clear outline of how you will develop your business. Start with getting your goods to market and then detail your plans for growth with a clear timeline and objectives. Management summary. This section will give details on how the business will be run, what your management style will be and how this will affect the business culture and operations. Financial plan. Finally, you will need to give detailed information about the finances. Provide a full breakdown of costs and revenues. Mark break-even points and when you will turn a profit. [4] X Research source You should understand the difference between revenue and profit. Revenue is the money you get every month. Profit is the money that remains after paying for all the expenses. If you do not make sufficient profit, you should change something in your budget.
Search online at first to get a basic idea of suppliers globally and those operating in your locality. Some online databases can be useful first points of call. [5] X Research source Think about environmentally friendly and sustainably produced tea leaves which can become a part of your brand identity as well as be an ethical way to do business. Go to trade shows, read trade publications and ask around people in the industry. This kind of specialist knowledge and experience can be invaluable. [6] X Trustworthy Source U. S. Small Business Administration U. S. government agency focused on supporting small businesses Go to source
Remember in the early stages you need to start small, so get a small run for samples and promotions first. The packaging will be the main way people identify your brand so think about this very carefully. Consider running some focus groups with people you can trust to give you honest feedback. Think about function as well as form. Do some research online and ask for advice from professional designers. [7] X Research source
A prototype product enables you to test it for durability as well as get a proper impression of how it looks and functions. Having a prototype will make people take you more seriously. Your product is becoming a physical reality rather than just an idea. Being able to hold and use something makes a big difference. [8] X Research source
It is relatively easy to create a website, but there are already a large number of online tea stores so you need to think about how you will stand out. If you plan to sell face-to-face locally, ensure you survey demand in interest in advance. Visit some local tea rooms and shops and ask if they are interested in getting a new supplier. And bring your samples!
You will need to officially register your business name, as well as registering with local state agencies. In the US you can do this through the government’s Small Business Administration. [9] X Trustworthy Source U. S. Small Business Administration U. S. government agency focused on supporting small businesses Go to source
Using an social media campaign can be effective way to set yourself out from other older tea brands. Having a strong and consistent social media presence for your brand can help you to establish a distinct identity and foothold. You can consider including recipes and facts about tea to broaden your output. [10] X Research source
Look for case studies on tea companies in national and international business and financial websites to learn from successful businesses. If you are starting an online business and intend to sell your goods internationally, it’s important to get this broader perspective from the start.
Have a clear timeline with specific goals you will achieve by specific dates. This could include the day the website will go live, and the point at which you will turn a profit. A good clear and achievable business plan is essential, especially if you are hoping to gain funding from a bank to support your start-up costs. There are some examples of tea business plans available that you can read online. [13] X Research source
For an online business you need think particularly about how you will protect your customers’ privacy and financial information. In the US the Federal Trade Commission deal with new online businesses. [14] X Trustworthy Source U. S. Small Business Administration U. S. government agency focused on supporting small businesses Go to source
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. Speaking to other people in the tea business can be a helpful way to find out more about the reputations of specific suppliers.
Make navigation across the site simple, easy, quick and intuitive. You should have a template so that every page is negotiable in the same basic way. Keep the page clean, with just one or two basic fonts on a white or pale background. Only use video, graphics or audio if they really enhance your message. Make it easy to buy with as few clicks as possible between the potential customer and the check-out. [15] X Research source
Once you know which keywords come up most frequently you can ensure that they appear throughout your website to optimise it for search engines. Use analytics to assess the performance of your website and see where your traffic is coming from.
Take a look around and evaluate areas where a tea room might be successful. Think about the neighborhood and the businesses that are already there. If there are already tea rooms nearby this could indicate a strong demand in the locality, but that doesn’t necessarily mean there is enough demand to support a new tea room too. The sunk costs and liabilities for this kind of business will likely be higher than an online business so be sure to research your local market thoroughly.
There might a tea room available to buy, so check your local listings. This could potentially save you money on furnishings, but it might be for sale because it’s poorly positioned. Remember that when you are negotiating a lease, everything is negotiable. Stick to your guns and don’t get involved if you are not comfortable with the landlord. Seek specialist legal advice for any contracts and lease agreements.
Other landmarks could include the date you sign for a lease on premises, by when you will have purchased or leased all the required equipment, and the date you begin the marketing campaign. [18] X Research source Again, there are examples of tea room business plans you can read on the web for an outline. [19] X Research source
Choose your teas carefully and test as many as possible. There are a huge number of tea varieties, and the ones you go for will help shape your tea room’s identity. [20] X Research source
The legal requirements will vary depending on where in the world you are, so be sure to seek expert help. [21] X Research source You also need to investigate any licences and permits that you will require. These could include food hygiene and health and safety certificates for you and any staff.
Coffee and tea shops can develop a strong core of regulars who provide reliable and consistent custom for your business. This can make it hard to break in, but if you find your niche it can be very fruitful. [22] X Research source As well as the decor, don’t neglect the actual equipment that you will use to make teas and coffee. You can have a great looking tea room, but it is not likely to be successful if the drinks are lousy.
In an increasingly crowded market, it’s essential to emphasise what makes your tea room unique and special. [23] X Research source Think about the various ways to market your teas which will appeal to different people. Some will be attracted by the health benefits, others by the uniqueness and unfamiliarity. Update your advertisements on a regular basis to stay fresh and attract new customers.
