Tea Connexions had a booth at the World Tea Expo in Las Vegas at the end of May. It was a great business experience displaying our teas to the world of tea buyers. We had so much fun and had such a positive outcome that we are planning our next World Tea Expo in 2009. We hope to see you there. It will be held at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas between May 2nd and 4th.
After the show, we were busy trying to get caught up. June was an interesting month because it was very hot in Kingston and my three and a half year old son, Shivam, got ill. After battling a very high fever, we finally took him to the hospital. Unfortunately, both my wife and I caught something at the hospital and fell ill as well. The summer was quite anti-climactic; for most of July my whole family was ill and neither my wife nor I had much energy to concentrate on the business.
I think our bodies give us clues to take rest. After Vegas, I did not want to rest and just kept going and going. Well, my body basically gave me no choice in July. I had a serious strep infection in my lungs and throat and even had an eye infection. The Doctor basically told me to stop working and rest, so I did. It was probably the most difficult period of my life, just resting. Like most entrepreneurs, I find it very difficult to stay away from the business. This was, to say the least, a psychological challenge.
By the end of the month, the whole family was feeling better. I, however, was still quite weak and this did take a toll. To make a long story short, I lost about 8 weeks of productive time in 2008. This period was capped by the sudden crashing of my computer which set me back another week.
After a relatively uneventful July and August and spending most of September getting caught up, we are now back up and running at 100%. I think the lesson I learned from all this is that I need to take time off at least once a year. I think we will probably take about three weeks off next July just to wind down. I would rather have a planned vacation then a forced one...LOL. :-)
In September, we started a new advertising campaign which has far exceeded my expectations. We expected maybe 100 leads per month, but are getting about 100 leads every 5 days, so I am really jazzed by this. Needless to say, the office has been abuzz with activity.
In addition to the new advertising, we decided to review all of our programs. I am excited to announce that both our Membership and Healthy Cup programs have underwent some drastic changes. Change, I believe is good.
With respect to Healthy Cup, the following changes have been implemented:
1. Our Tea Starter Kit is only $50. This means you can start a tea business, get trained, and earn profits on retail sales for an initial investment of only $50.
2. To ensure that you can quickly recoup your investment and earn a profit, we give you 25% more wholesale tea value. The suggested retail of the tea is nearly twice the initial investment. Sell the tea, recoup your initial cost and keep the profit. Simple, right!
3. There are now five Marketing Partner programs on Healthy Cup: Tea Starter; Agent; Super-Agent; Re-Seller; and Teapreneur. Each program delivers significant tangible retail tea value for your investment.
Now that we have a program starting at only $50, anyone, regardless of their financial strength can start a tea business, get trained, and have a retail business they can be proud of. We have posted a logical chart that summarizes all of the Healthy Cup Marketing Partner program benefits. To learn more, visit the following URL:
We have also made some significant changes to our membership program:
1. The price is nearly 50% less.
2. Tangible retail product value is nearly twice the investment. This creates a clear cost recovery and profit making scenario for you.
3. We offer 12 month, interest free financing on our Bronze, Silver, and Gold Membership programs. For instance, for a deposit of only $897, the Bronze Member gets more than $2,800 worth of tea, training, marketing tools, and many more benefits. The remaining balance is financed over 12 months for a small monthly payment of less than $50. Essentially, this means you can start a tea business for $897, be a member of our buying group, and have a clear cost recovery and profit formula; market and sell the $2,800 worth of tea and you will earn a gross profit of more than $1,300. This example highlights our Bronze membership; the profit potential is even greater with the Silver and Gold programs. To learn more about these programs, please visit the following URL:
Our new programs, always give much greater tea value than the investment. This business change is my personal response to the current economic situation. My hope is these new programs will empower aspiring entrepreneurs to earn extra income. The best part: tea is a consumable and should create a sustainable and long term revenue stream for stressed out families worried about their finances.
President-elect Obama ran his campaign on the theme of "Change." In his acceptance speech, he asked everyone to pitch in and do what they can to create change. Regardless of whether you support the Democrats or Republicans, Senator McCain and President-elect Obama are correct in their belief that the only way to create prosperity, is to begin investing and spending again. The way out of a recession is through investment and spending because it stimulates the economy. This, in turn, creates spin-off effects: more wealth, more jobs, and ultimately, greater prosperity.
Of all the industries today, the tea business is one of the most profitable and despite the economic situation, is expected to grow. This is a positive sign for anyone who wants to start a tea business. Owning a business, whether it is a part time or full time venture, offers many advantages: personal tax benefits, extra income, hope, and most importantly, control over your destiny. Another very positive fact is that tea consumption is growing because of the many health benefits offered by it. In short, demand for tea is growing; now is the time to capitalize on this demand. Even if your tea business enables you to make $50 or $100 extra per week, this will add to your overall economic stability!
I understand, that many of you are tightening your purse strings, spending less and saving more. At Tea Connexions, we are doing the opposite: loosening our belts, investing in advertising, buying tea from suppliers, and ultimately giving up short term profitability by offering much greater value for your investment. I encourage you to take advantage of these changes. Bottom line, my hope is these changes will make it easier for you to start a tea business and earn extra income so that you can live a healthier and wealthier life.
Yours sincerely,
Sanjay Gupta
Tea
Connexions
P.S. Tea is good for you...please spread the word by forwarding this newsletter to friends, family, and business associates.
P.P.S. If you have not already done so, be sure to enter our other tea contest at www.healthycup.com
Tea4Free Contest Winner
To date nearly $13,000 worth of FREE gourmet teas beautifully packaged has been given away to tea lovers throughout North America. That is enough to make nearly 105,000 cups of free tea. WOW! Our winner this month is:
- - - top - - - 2. Chamomile Tea Can Help Prevent Diabetes Complications Consuming Chamomile tea with meals has shown benefits for those with hyperglycemia and diabetes. The Journal of Agricultural Food Chemistry published a report based on tests carried out at Japan's University of Toyama Department of Hospital pharmacy and the Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research in Ceredigion, U.K. produced the report based on tests conducted. The results "clearly suggest that daily consumption of chamomile tea with meals may slow down the progress of complications caused by hyperglycemia and diabetes."
3. How Green Tea Helps Prevent Heart Disease
If you drink green tea, you probably already know it has many documented health benefits. The latest findings indicate that it rapidly rejuvenates the cells lining blood vessels and helps cut the risk of heart disease.
The latest edition of the European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation features research that shows those who drink green tea show an increase in blood vessel function. Improving endothelial cells (which cause clogged arteries) green tea improved the health of these cells within just 30 minutes. This study backs up previous reports that suggest that flavanoids may protect the heart.
Nikolaos Alexopoulos and members of the Athens Medical School in Greece served green tea, a beverage containing the same amount of caffeine as green tea, or hot water on three separate occasions to 14 healthy people approximately 30 years old, and studied its effects. A blood pressure cuff and ultrasound was used to measure blood flow. Participants experienced increased widening of their arteries most noticeably after about 30 minutes. The other studied beverages didn't produce any similar results.
Oolong Darjeeling Loose Tea (100g)
Capture the essence of old Calcutta with Oolong Darjeeling, a semi-fermented leaf tea. This popular straight tea is perhaps the only one in which the two-leaf one-bud combination is almost intact until the final stage of production. Oolong Darjeeling combines the aroma of a quality green tea with the taste of a quality black tea. (100 grams/3.5 ounces).
To find your nearest distributor, please visit www.leaftea.com
Chamomile Tea Bag Carton (25 tea bags)
This Chamomile herbal infusion is perfect anytime of the day, though it is often consumed in the evening because of its natural sedative effect. Enjoy this tea with a little bit of lemon. Ingredients: 100% Pure Chamomile Leaves. 25 tea bags
To find your nearest distributor, please visit www.leaftea.com
Darjeeling Organic Tea (100g)
Organic Darjeeling Green Tea is made from the unfermented leaf. This makes it different from black teas, where the characteristics of flavor and taste are a result of fermentation. Research has proved that regular consumption of tea is beneficial for health due to the presence of antioxidants. Green teas have a mellow taste and aroma. These teas are best suited without milk. (100 grams/3.5 ounces)
To find your nearest distributor, please visit www.leaftea.com
Jasmine (with Flowers) (100g)
Jasmine tea is made from Darjeeling tea leaves that are blended with jasmine flowers, harvested during the day and stored in a cool place at night. During the night, the flowers are layered over the tea leaves for the scenting process.
- Oolong originates from the Camellia sinensis plant. The type of processing it undergoes makes it a mix between black and green tea.
-Leaves are picked, then bruised, which releases oil.
-polyphenols in oolong tea are said to be similar to those in green tea, promoting weight loss. Several studies now say that oolong tea burns more calories than green tea.
-Most Oolong teas are grown in China and Taiwan. Chinese varieties have a darker, woody taste while Taiwanese have a lighter more floral taste.
-Oolong tea is also known as Wu Long Tea. There are two names because there are two methods of romanizing mandarin characters. It is also known as brown tea and rock tea.
-There are more health benefits when drinking loose Oolong tea. Along with a fuller flavor, greater health benefits include lowering cholesterol, strengthening the immune system, fighting free radicals and even preventing growth of tumors.
Oolong Rice with Squash and Chestnuts - Serves 6 Multigrain rice mixes, found in Asian grocers, contain colorful combinations of several ingredients, such as white rice, black rice, brown rice, flat barley, mung beans, small red and white beans, buckwheat, and corn. If you can't find it, use a noninstant rice pilaf mixture, often found in bulk bins. Ingredients
Makes about 8 dozen
1/2 cup Japanese short-grain white rice (sushi rice)
1/2 cup Japanese multigrain, or rice pilaf mixture
1 tablespoon oolong tea leaves
2 cups water
1/2 small winter squash, such as acorn or Hubbard, peeled and cut into 3/4-inch pieces (about 1 cup)
1/2 cup peeled and cooked chestnut halves, or 1/2 cup walnut halves
1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage, or 1 teaspoon dried sage leaves
1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Directions:
1. Place white rice and multigrain or pilaf in a bowl and wash until water runs clear. Let grains soak in clear water for 10 minutes, then drain and let sit for an additional 10 minutes.
2. Place tea leaves in a teapot or heatproof pitcher. Bring 2 cups water to a boil; let cool for 2 minutes to 185°. Pour water over tea leaves, cover, and infuse for 2-3 minutes.
3. Strain tea into a saucepan. Add grains, squash, chestnuts or walnuts, sage, salt, and pepper. Cover pan and set heat to medium. Cook until steam begins to escape from the lid. Reduce heat to low and cook for 10 minutes.
4. Remove pan from heat. Let sit for 5 minutes, covered. Season to taste before serving.
7. The Wonderful Taste and Aroma of Jasmine Tea Jasmine tea has a wonderful aroma. What many don't know, is that the pale yellow, almost colorless brew uses green tea as its base. Leaves are twisted, curled, rolled, or even tied in a small bunch. Leaves are picked between the middle of March and the end of May and combined with flowers picked only during May when they are most fragrant. Traditional production methods involve layering the leaves and blossoms so the scent sinks into the leaves. More recently, flowers are placed into streaming hot air to extract the taste. The flowers are often added as a decoration.
Over 800 years old, Jasmine tea provides a great choice for people that may not love the taste of regular green tea. The aroma provides a tempting invitation to a one of a kind tea experience but keeps all the excellent health benefits of green tea!
8. TEA-mates Tea Connexions is dedicated to providing the highest quality gourmet teas. Packaged beautifully, they make an ideal gift for tea lovers, health enthusiasts, and connoisseurs of fine art. Our mission is to offer you beautifully packaged gourmet teas distributed by an elite group of independent distributors that offer you superior service and exceptional value. Your satisfaction is assured; all of our products carry a 100% money back guarantee.
More than 100 distributors look forward to serving your tea and gift giving needs. For an updated list, visit www.tea4free.com/tea-mates.html. If a distributor is not in your immediate area, please choose the closest distributor. Please note, this list represents distributors whose online stores are live and active; missing are distributors whose stores are still under construction.
To choose your nearest distributor, using a clickable image map, visit www.leaftea.com/teastore.html.
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9. Tea Tip - Soothe Sore Winter Lips
-> Black or green tea bags can help cold sores, cracks, dryness and even an accidental bite. The tannic acid in a damp tea bag pressed onto the lip for a few minutes helps speed healing.
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- - - 10. Next Issue - - - > Tea 4 Free Winners
- - - > More Exciting Researh on Tea
- - - > A TEAmptation Recipe
- - - > Featured Products - - - top - - - 11. Credits
This issue of Tea 4 Free News - was written by Mary-Ellen Tessier. Tea was so expensive when it was first brought to Europe in the early 17th century that it was kept in locked wooden boxes. With the economy struggling in countries all over the world, the opposite is now true, while many items are too expensive to even consider, tea is one of the few affordable luxuries left for those of us who enjoy the finer things in life. A box of tea not only provides many hours of enjoyment, it lasts a long time. One pound of tea can make around 300 cups of the beverage. It can even be the beverage of choice while putting together that all important budget that will help you weather the tough times, and plan for a better future. May the steam from a great cup of tea carry all your worries away!
Send your stories to mary-ellen@teaconnexions.com.
