Paradise Tea
Case Study - Paradise Tea
A Coventry business is brewing up a storm and set to be a tea-riffic success.
Accounts manager switches figures for tea bags to become an entrepreneur setting up her own patch of paradise with her tea subscription business.
A little help from the Chamber Start-up team.
Mirani De Silva sought help to get the business underway from the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce start-up team through the Coventry & Warwickshire Business Support Programme, which is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
With a background in bookkeeping and a Degree in Accounting and Finance Mirani works as an Accounts Manager, but she also had a passion for more freedom and most of all a desire to become a successful entrepreneur.
It was time for a change
Mirani said: “Although the UK market has many tea blends, Pure Ceylon Tea is not available for purchase everywhere and as the UK is one of the biggest tea importers in the world and consumes a large volume of tea every year, I hoped there might be a business opportunity for me.”
With a refreshing take on a tea business, Paradise Tea is a monthly subscription box enabling customers to sign up for a monthly delivery of Pure Ceylon Tea in 5 fruit flavours. She continued “Subscribers can expect to choose their favourite tea flavours of their choice, that then arrive through the door in a letterbox box size parcel” She concludes “I’m keen to encourage more tea lovers to take a moment from their busy schedule to enjoy a nice cup of Pure Ceylon Tea”
Mirani has been given a helping hand by the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce through its free Start Up Business Support Programme, and has attended numerous workshops and benefitted from the one-to-one sessions with a mentor.
The service is part of the Coventry & Warwickshire Business Support Programme, which is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Without the support, I would have given up on the idea
Mirani said “The chamber has helped me to make a clear business plan, and have assisted me to keep me motivated despite many setbacks and delays. The 1 to 1 support, personal mentoring and free workshops have given me a lot of valuable advice that I didn’t know before.” She continued “I am so grateful for the support, guidance and motivation given by the Chamber in ways of various workshops and networking sessions and teaching. Without the support, I would have given up on the idea. My Mentor Sarah has guided me right throughout the process from start-up, to production and sales.”
I am now positive I can make this venture a success
Hardeep Sandhu, of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “Mirani has really taken on board all of the advice on offer and that has already led to a successful start to the business.
“The fact that Coventry is UK City of Culture in 2021 represents a big opportunity for ventures in the creative, cultural, leisure and hospitality sector and we believe the year can leave a legacy of more new businesses being created in these areas.
“This is going to be a great time for people to come together to share ideas, enjoy themselves and try new things – from culture to food – and that means this is a real opportunity for businesses such as Paradise Tea”
Martin Sutherland, Chief Executive of the Coventry City of Culture Trust, said: “It is clear that City of Culture can inspire new start-up businesses across Coventry & Warwickshire, and for those businesses to be part of the economic legacy of 2021. If individuals have an idea that they want to explore, it is great that there is support available to them, from the Chamber and others, to turn it into a reality.”
Are you eligible for StartUp Business Support?
The Chamber has a range of start-up workshops to support people to build sustainable businesses. For more information or to book click here.
