Erin Young founded Zen Green Tea four years ago. She has grown her business to now be in over 3000 retail stores, and a thriving online community with 14.9 K instagram fans. Her website is www.zengreentea.com.au
Zen Green Tea sells incredibly fresh and delicious Japanese matcha green tea around the globe. When she founded her company her philosophy was — and still is — simple: “amazing quality matcha, sourced in a sustainable way and delivered with the best service.”
Zen Green Tea taps into her passion for tea, health, yoga and food — you’ll find many recipes and blogs created by her on her website.
She has built strong relationships with many tea farms in Kyoto Japan to source the best quality matcha. She sources the tea in small batches that are freshly stone ground ensuring she delivers matcha packed with antioxidants, and says you will notice the bright green colour, the fresh naturally sweet spring flavour and all the health benefits that that accompany drinking pure Japanese matcha.
She shares her success story and tips with Business Woman Media…
What prompted you to start a green tea business?
I absolutely loved green tea for the health benefits but I hated the bitterness of the leaves. I began researching how to remove the bitterness and I discovered the product matcha. I knew immediately I wanted to try it so I scoured the streets of Sydney but I could not buy it anywhere. I turned my search to
Japan and I made great relationships over there with sustainable tea farms. When I tried this incredible product I knew I had to start a business to offer it to all Australians.
What have been the biggest challenges you faced in building the business?
Distribution: Initially I wanted to have my matcha available in retail stores however I must have been rejected by over 100 stores in the beginning. It was tough and running a business back then was isolating.
A challenge I face now is marketing and how I can effectively reach more people without spending huge amounts of money.
What did you do to overcome those challenges?
Distribution: I decided to focus online back then and now many years later when matcha is in high demand I am in more than 3000 retail stores!
Effective marketing: It’s always still a current challenge but I do a lot of research and read a lot of case studies which has allowed me to constantly test new ideas.
What are the 3 key pieces of advice you would give other women?
- Don’t isolate yourself
Join network groups of like-minded business women, Facebook business groups and go to events. You are not only motivated but you meet people who encourage and support you and who will help you figure out and overcome any challenges.
- Start Small
Invest the minimum in your business when you begin so you can test your ideas without huge financial stress. When you have proved something to be working that is when you can invest more money.
- Research other businesses
Always look at the marketplace around you and take notice of businesses who are doing amazing things even if they are not in your industry. It’s inspiring and gives you a road map for your own business.
Erin Young founded Zen Green Tea four years ago. She has grown her business to now be in over 3000 retail stores, and a thriving online community with 14.9 K instagram fans. Her website is www.zengreentea.com.au
