Save Cup'ital Tea: A Second Chance for Keren

Help Give Cup'ital Tea a Second Chance!

Hi, I’m Keren Tambwe. Ever since I was young, I’ve had a deep love for cooking, baking, and most of all, tea. My passion drove me to start Cup'ital Tea—a small business built on the dream of running my own tea/coffee shop, a cozy place where people can enjoy tea as much as they do coffee. This dream is my baby, and I’m pleading for your help to give it a real chance to grow.

My Journey and Challenges

I began this journey on my own, pouring my heart into every loose-leaf blend, even though I didn’t have the funds for proper marketing. In 2020, things took a promising turn when I partnered with a brand that took charge of my marketing and helped sell my tea blends. For the first time, new customers started to discover and love Cup'ital Tea. However, when Sips By went out of business, I lost that crucial marketing support. My business was deeply affected—sales dropped, and despite my best efforts, I struggled to cover the costs of space, better equipment, and further marketing.

Determined not to let my dream fade, I switched to selling in person. The feedback was heartwarming, and I truly felt the love from those who tasted my tea. Yet, the numbers still weren’t enough to keep the momentum going, and I’ve been fighting to keep Cup'ital Tea alive for three long years.

My Dream and Your Impact

I have a vision: to make tea a staple in every daily routine—sipped at breakfast, enjoyed at lunch, and cherished at every moment. I want more people to experience tea not just as a health drink, but as a comforting ritual, just like their favorite cup of coffee.

With your generous support, I plan to:

Boost My Marketing Efforts: I need to market aggressively—spreading the word about Cup'ital Tea so more people can fall in love with our unique blends.

Purchase a Food Cart: In an expensive city, a food cart is essential to reach customers on the go. The cost for the cart I need is around $10,000.

Cover Legal Paperwork and Protect My Brand: I must secure copyrights for my business name, logo, and obtain the proper legal advice. This is estimated at about $5,000.

Build Working Capital: I need funds to invest in essential equipment, create better packaging, and develop an improved website. I’ve estimated this at roughly $10,000.

These elements add up to a base cost of approximately $30,000. To cover unexpected expenses and ensure smooth operations in a costly market, I’m including a 20% buffer, which brings the total goal to $36,000.

The Bigger Picture

I’m also planning to enroll in culinary school to earn a diploma—this training will help me refine my skills and expand my menu. In a few years, God willing, I hope to open a small tea shop where I can serve loose-leaf tea, brewed tea, and homemade pastries. This isn’t just a business; it’s a heartfelt project that celebrates tea as a daily joy.

Every donation, no matter how small, is a lifeline for Cup'ital Tea. Your support is not just a financial contribution—it’s a meaningful act of kindness that helps bring a dream to life. It means the world to me to have people believe in this passion project and help create a space where tea can be celebrated every day.

Please consider donating and sharing my story with others. Together, we can give Cup'ital Tea the second chance it so desperately deserves. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your generosity and support.