Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Hammonds.
Hi Lisa, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Full Leaf Tea Company sprouted from my husband Matt’s and my shared passion for tea. We were both tired of the jet-lagged feeling we got from the aftermath of a cup of coffee and found a new way to enjoy an energy boost in a cup of tea. As our love for tea grew, so did our desire to share this joy with others. This led us to found Full Leaf Tea Company, where we seamlessly integrated two vital aspects of our lives: our love for tea and our cherished relationships.
This unique blend gave rise to our vision: to craft and offer the finest loose-leaf teas and Japanese matcha while prioritizing customer relationships. The beginning of Full Leaf Tea Company was humble, and it’s been nearly 10 years to get to where we are today. Each order is meticulously handled to ensure every customer enjoys the best possible experience. This commitment to care extends to our business practices, where every team member is embraced as part of the “Full Leaf Family.” We are thrilled to have over 200 products today and continue adding to our vast collection of blends every year!
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Like many small businesses, our journey to success was marked by steep learning curves and rocky paths. Matt and I didn’t come from a background in e-commerce, marketing, or photography. We had a vision but no real experience to back our beginning. To add to the struggle, we were also financially strapped. We had about $100 in the bank (on a good day), and I took out a credit card for $2500 as our “seed fund.” Our initial advertising campaign was created with a mere $50.
Early on in Full Leaf, Matt created a tea blend we were both excited to release. But it was quickly dampened by a 1-star review likening its taste to dirt. The disappointment was heavy. This product is now one of our top-selling tea blends, Organic Skinny Natural.
At many points, it seemed like the moment to give up. However, Matt and I remained steadfast in our commitment to sharing our passion for tea and herbal wellness. We persevered, slowly building our team and accumulating invaluable lessons along the way. Our journey has taught us that growth and improvement are ongoing processes. We live by the philosophy that ‘improving small things every day leads to big things along the way.’
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next, you can tell us a bit more about your business.
Full Leaf Tea Company is a beacon for tea enthusiasts and a testament to the art and tradition of tea culture. Nestled in the heart of Southern Oregon, our company has grown to become a hallmark of quality and innovation in the world of tea. With a deep-rooted passion for tea and wellness, we specialize in providing a diverse range of high-quality, USDA-certified organic teas and tea blends that cater to every palate and health need.
At the core of our offerings is our expansive selection of teas, ranging from classic varieties like Organic Earl Grey, Organic Chamomile, and Organic English Breakfast teas to specialty blends that harness the benefits of herbal ingredients for health and wellness. We are particularly known for our signature blends that address specific health concerns, such as our anti-inflammatory teas, detox blends, and teas designed to promote relaxation and sleep.
What sets us apart is our commitment to organic, sustainably sourced ingredients, ensuring that every cup not only tastes good but also upholds our responsibility to the environment and our customers’ health. Our teas are USDA-certified organic, reflecting our dedication to purity and quality in every product we offer.
Brand-wise, what we are most proud of is our ability to merge traditional tea culture with modern wellness trends, creating products that are both beneficial and enjoyable. Our commitment to organic farming and sustainable practices underlines our dedication to both the planet and our customers’ well-being.
Full Leaf Tea Company is more than just a tea vendor; we are a community of tea lovers committed to enhancing your tea experience and offering exceptional customer service every step of the way. Our offerings extend beyond tea to include a wealth of knowledge and resources about the benefits and pleasures of tea drinking. From our carefully curated tea collections to our tea accessories designed to elevate your tea-drinking experience, we aim to be your go-to source for all things tea.
In essence, Full Leaf Tea Company stands for quality, wellness, and sustainability, driven by a passion to share the profound joy and health benefits that tea can bring into your life.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
In a world full of instant gratification, Full Leaf has taught me the reward of perseverance and commitment. What we have created is so much more than “just tea.” It has been ten years of growth and life lessons, and an unending devotion to gaining knowledge about tea, wellness, and how to best serve our customers.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://fullleafteacompany.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fullleaftea/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fullleaftea/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/FullLeafTeaCo
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@fullleaftea
Image Credits
Carly Pearl-Sacks
Haley Sullivan
