Today we’d like to introduce you to Lori Whitmore.
Hi Lori, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Savory Blends Tea Co. actually started during COVID in 2020. Like a lot of people during that time, I was thinking about what was next and came across an Essence Magazine article discussing different ways to start a small business. One of the ideas mentioned was a tea subscription box. I already loved tea, made my own blends and traveled the world experiencing it, so I started researching, experimenting with different blends, and figuring out what my version of a tea business could look like.
What began as an idea for a subscription box eventually grew into something much bigger. I realized I didn’t just want to just sell tea and teaware- I wanted people to experience it. That led to tea tastings, tea blending workshops, corporate experiences, custom tea blends, and partnerships with organizations throughout Richmond & the DMV area.
In 2022, I decided to pursue Savory Blends full-time. Today, I’m continuing to grow the brand through our handcrafted teas, experiences, wholesale partnerships, and corporate offerings. It’s definitely evolved far beyond that original idea I read about during COVID, but I love that one article planted the seed for everything Savory Blends Tea Co. has become.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. My entrepreneurial journey has been fun and an emotional rollercoaster. Just a few months after leaving my corporate job to pursue my business full-time, the economy took a nosedive. Sales slowed down, inquiries were fewer, and I definitely had moments when I wondered if I had made a mistake by taking the leap.
What changed things for me was learning how to pivot and expand my point of view of what Savory Blends Tea Co. could be. Instead of focusing solely on selling tea, I introduced tea experiences as another revenue stream. Tea tastings, tea blending workshops, and other interactive experiences opened up an entirely new side of the business and ultimately changed the trajectory for me. That experience taught me that sometimes growth doesn’t come from abandoning the original vision, but from being willing to see a bigger version of it.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Savory Blends Tea Co. is a Richmond-based tea company specializing in handcrafted loose leaf teas and interactive tea experiences. While our teas are at the heart of the brand, we’ve grown beyond simply selling a product. We create guided tea tastings, tea blending workshops, themed tea parties, tea catering, corporate wellness experiences and activation stations, along with custom blends and gifting for businesses and special events.
I think what sets Savory Blends Tea Co. apart is the experience we create around tea. We make it approachable, interactive and fun. Whether someone is creating their own blend during a workshop, discovering a new favorite tea at a tasting, or experiencing one of our teas for the first time, I want them to walk away feeling like tea can be so much more than something you drink.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of how Savory Blends Tea Co. has continued to evolve without losing what makes us special. We’ve had the opportunity to serve thousands of guests, partner with libraries, businesses and organizations throughout Virginia, and see our teas introduced into new spaces. As we continue to grow, I’m focused on expanding our retail and wholesale presence, creating more corporate and custom tea experiences, and introducing the brand to a much larger audience.
How do you think about happiness?
What makes me happy has changed a lot over the years. These days, it’s really the simple things-spending time with the people I love, traveling and experiencing new restaurants, or having a quiet day where I don’t have to be anywhere or do anything.
I’ve also learned that having the freedom to create and build something of my own makes me happy. Entrepreneurship can be stressful, but there’s something really fulfilling about watching an idea that once only existed in my head become something other people can experience and enjoy. I’m learning to appreciate both-the excitement of building something I love and the quiet moments in between.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.savoryblendsteaco.com
- Instagram: @savoryblendsteaco
- Facebook: @savoryblendsteaco
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lori-whitmore-8b78a61a9
