Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food & beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Annabel Kalmar, Founder of Tea Rebellion (Rebellion Food Brands).
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We address the problem of lack of tea transparency & quality by building direct connections between consumers and producers that empower, educate, and ultimately transform. We provide tea lovers who care about fair trade with single-origin, farm-direct, award-winning teas.
Tell us about yourself
I first thought about launching a food business connecting farmers and consumers in my 20s. I interviewed 50 banana growers in St. Lucia to understand the local impact of WTO trade liberalization.
I remember being frustrated that all these unique grower stories never made it to the UK grocery shelf! I told myself that one day I would change that and fundamentally transform farmers' access to markets.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment is to have ingrained our social impact and deep commitment to sustainability from day 1. I do not believe in brands saying that they will change how they operate once they "can afford to."
Sustainable thinking is either part of your company's DNA or is not. Evolving a company culture takes time and starts with sustainable behaviors and actions. This commitment to fix the climate, nature & people acts allowed us to get certified as B Corp in August 2022 (one of only 1000 other UK businesses).
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Managing the demand on my time! I need to prioritize what rises to the top of my agenda as CEO every week. I am currently hiring partnership managers for both Toronto and London to grow to scale the team. Reach out to info@tearebellion.com to apply.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Make sure you love your service/product—a deep connection is critical.
- Learn how to delegate and hire help, ideally before you need it.
- Think about what you will NOT do - as an entrepreneur or brand. Saying no is so powerful!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://tearebellion.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeaRebellion/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tearebellionuk/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/tearebellion
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tea-rebellion/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.