Steve Schwartz, founder and CEO of Art of Tea, has a talent for blending ingredients and a desire to make an impact on the world. He was fortunate to develop this talent because he didn’t graduate from college and didn’t know any entrepreneurs before founding his company.
“After learning from experts in the field and becoming a Master Tea Blender, Steve started his own business to share his passion and teach his skills to others. He has taught tea sommeliers at Caesars Palace and the staff of chef and restaurateur Wolfgang Puck how to elevate the tea experience.”
“Our mission is to impact as many lives as possible through tea,” says Steve.
As Art of Tea celebrates its 20th anniversary, having created custom teas for prestigious clients like the White House and Slack, find out how Steve combined purpose with great people to build a thriving company.
Finding purpose after tragedy
Steve’s foray into the tea business was sparked by personal tragedy and a search for meaning. After his mother’s battle with cancer and subsequent death, he sought a holistic approach to wellness and eventually discovered his passion for tea. “I was fascinated by how something growing in the soil could have so much power and potential,” he says.
Be honest
Starting with minimal resources, the journey wasn’t easy. Steve initially packaged tea by hand and relied on credit cards to fund the business. Despite his limited business experience, he found that being himself helped him make more sales and give others valuable advice. “I was as authentic and vulnerable as I could be,” Steve says. “And then people started to pitch in.”
Learn about leadership and business
Steve says that because he didn’t have anyone nearby to give him entrepreneurial advice, he started downloading audiobooks from thought leaders and listening to them while he was driving. “I literally turned my iPod into a university.”
This mindset of seeking mentorship and “wise counsel” later helped him find producing partners and employees.
Building a business based on connections
Steve attributes much of his success to the connections he’s made along the way. Whether through chance encounters or intentional networking, these relationships have been crucial. As Steve puts it, “If I’m the smartest person in the room, something’s wrong, right?”
Steve has always been open to learning, no matter where he is or who he is with. For example, on one flight he met someone who had connections to tea growers in China, which would later open the door to a new source of tea raw materials.
To learn more about Steve’s approach to partnerships and mentorship, listen to the full interview. Shopify Master.
