Meet Kelly Hackman, The White Heron Tea & Gifts in New Port Richey, Florida, as she reviews her shopping experience at America's Mart Atlanta. Kelly is an experienced buyer at gift shows and a professional speaker at international tea expos. Her experiences and tips about getting the most out of a gift show are insightful and profitable to extract the most value from attending a trade show or convention.

Meet Charity Chalmers, tea entreprenuer, tearoom owner, and Certified Tea Specialist, Specialty Tea Institute. Charity, a hospitality graduate, became enamored of tea while in college in Boston. Since then, she's traveled to 17 countries (5 countries of tea origin), become an expert in the trade, opened a tea shop, and is developing a tea plantation in the Philippines. From tea growing, tea blending and tea packaging, Charity's inspiring story also has its amusing times such as having tea in a remote location where the locals wanted to discuss Nicolas Cage.

Meet Jennifer Stowe, tea entrepreneur, The Three Sisters Tea Room in Campbellsville, Tennessee. Jennifer and her daughters offer delicious, traditional afternoon teas with a flair. 

Her book, Wee Bites & Nibbles, Manners and menus for the tiniest tea drinkers, is a collection of themed teas with recipes, activities and tips on tea service and children's etiquette. Jennifer Stowe's tea books are available for purchase on Amazon. See also: Mid Tennessee Tea Association

Meet Jennifer Sullivan, business executive, tea entrepreneur, and owner of Southern Royal Tea in Wake Forest, North Carolina. Jennifer shares her love for British afternoon tea coupled with gentle Southern charm. Southern Royal Tea is perfect for business professionals, wedding and baby showers, children's parties and walk-ins.

Jennifer's cookbook is Southern Royal Tea Christmas Tea: A collection of Holiday Afternoon Tea Recipes - available on Amazon.

Part 1 of 4. If you've ever thought about opening a tearoom and think that a perfect location is a cottage on a well-trafficked street rather than in a sterile strip mall, the idea is fantastic but be aware that it takes creativity and a lot of work to convert a house into a commercial location with compliance to various codes. Melanie and John Holsti purchased a 1917 craftsman house in Missouri and made their dreams come true.

Meet Feng Han-Hirt, affectionately known as Fay. In this video, we learn about Fay's company, Sprouting Tea and Leaf, in Frisco, Texas. Fay has a wide tea education with Chinese tea masters. A short tutorial about the variances in pronunciation and production of BingDao and BingCha along with illustrations. Yunnan, pu-erh, pu-er, dark tea, shēng (raw) pu'er, shóu (ripe) pu'er, bĭngchá, gongfu (literally means "making tea with skill").

Part 2 of 4. After designing a beautiful tea cottage that reflected all five senses (choosing tranquil, welcoming colors; the fragrances of David Austin roses, iris, hanging flower baskets and more; birdbaths in the surrounds and subtle music inside; a wide entrance ramp suitable for all guests; specialty teas and herbs), Melanie Holsti satisfied her guests' requests with family recipes, seasonal menus and eye-popping, colorful plating presentations.

Part 3 of 4. Since tearoom reservations range from single diners to birthday celebrations, table layouts and flexibility are important. Also, how to sample guests with tea tastings, pastry goodies and daily specials while economizing on employee time and distractions. Learn more about Melanie Holsti's menu insights and table arrangements.

Part 4 of 4. Melanie Holsti knew that tearoom dining guests wanted to extend their enjoyable visits to The Ironstone Cottage. Aside from the "linger longer" focus on dining guests, she knew that guests' primary desire was to continue enjoying premium loose-leaf teas and herbs. Guests and visitors also enjoy tasteful seasonal merchandise and colorful displays. Mel wanted her gift shop area to be visible to visitors without being overpowering. She concentrated on enviable displays that were also budget-conscious.