Q&A talks with Ting Luo, owner of The Green Teahouse Inc.
Can you describe your business?
The Green Teahouse is a retail establishment that offers custom blended, loose-leaf teas, specially curated gifts, and beverages on-site. We also offer education surrounding the culture and preparation of teas through tea ceremonies, special events and catering.
Our customers are health conscious with an interest in high-quality teas, and with our bubble tea offerings, we attract many customers young and old looking for a fun drinking experience. Our customers range from tea novices looking to expand their horizons, tea enthusiasts interested in new flavors and combinations, and tea experts looking for premium quality teas sourced globally.
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How did you get into this business?
I was influenced by my brothers who operate traditional tea shops and restaurants in my hometown of Chengdu in the Sichuan Province of China. During my study at university, many of my peers were intrigued by my teas, and I realized that in the United States many people have only been exposed to tea bags and mass-produced, processed teas.
I was motivated to open The Green Teahouse to bring my culture and family’s passion to the United States to share the love of tea here.
How has your business grown in the past year?
In moving to a newer and larger physical location, we have been able to influence a younger crowd to visit our teahouse with exciting bubble tea offerings, while also retaining our long-time customers. We strive to maintain a customer-oriented, friendly environment that provides a pleasant experience for first-time and returning tea lovers.
In the past year, our revenue has grown approximately 20%, which is a testament to our quality in all areas.
What’s a major challenge your business has overcome in the past year?
Our biggest challenge has been retaining employees. In the current employment market, we realized that being employee-oriented is just as important as being customer-oriented to the needs and operation of the business.
We were able to overcome this challenge by encouraging and focusing on our core values of integrity, trust, respect and unity. We value the health and wellness of our employees and have attracted a staff that values tea just as much as we do.
What major strategic plans do you have in the next few years?
With this being the only location in the United States, our major strategic plan is to expand our online presence to reach customers nationwide. In the future, we would also like to introduce a greater influence of Chinese traditional herbs.