The Tea Spot fuels its vision through social entrepreneurship

PR Log (Press Release) – Oct 20, 2009 – The Tea Spot, a certified woman-owned and operated business producing proprietary products for loose-leaf tea, announces a restructuring of its business model that turns social responsibility into bold and immediate action.  Effective today, 10% of every sale made will be donated in-kind to cancer and community wellness programs. The in-kind donations include The Tea Spot’s fresh loose-leaf teas and patented Steepware® products for preparing loose teas. To date, The company has made donations to dozens of health and community initiatives including Rocky Mountain Cancer Center, Casting for Recovery, Ovarian Cancer Awareness of Kentucky, Junior League of Denver, and A Woman’s Work.

The Tea Spot is establishing a model of social entrepreneurship based on revenues rather than profits to incorporate a culture of giving as it grows. CEO Maria Uspenski explains: “We’re doing this to actively support the cause that fuels our passion: maintaining the wellness of cancer survivors, as well as our community at large. At The Tea Spot, we have a singular focus. Our mission is to help people live longer, healthier lives by making loose leaf tea an everyday luxury. We’re inspired by medical research suggesting that full leaf teas boast many health and nutrition benefits – from helping prevent cancer and heart disease, to stress management and weight loss. Even as a start-up, we can make positive change in the lives of hundreds of people by sharing a portion of all our sales to promote wellness.” The Tea Spot’s Development Director Jessica Burtenshaw adds: “It’s inspiring to hear our customers get excited that their purchases directly contribute to these donations. It motivates us on an entirely different level when we know that even as a small company we can make a real difference right now, every day.”

Also this week, The Tea Spot received national certification as a Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) through the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). WBENC’s national standard of certification requires that businesses are at least 51% owned, operated, and controlled by women. By including women-owned businesses among their vendors, corporations and government agencies demonstrate their commitment to the continued development of their supplier diversity programs. The Tea Spot thrives on its diversity and looks forward to forging new partnerships that will further diversification in business. The Tea Spot’s program of donating 10% back to the community alongside their certification as a WBE demonstrates the ongoing social contributions and philanthropic actions that can be made by small woman-owned business enterprises.