The coronavirus brought many things, most of which are negative though. But in every situation, even the worst of them, something good may pop up from it. And that is what happened in the situation of Judith Bani, the founder of Bev-Real Tea, who shares her story with the B&FT Inspiring Start-ups on how she began her ‘healing’ tea business.
Judith is currently the Business Development Manager for Strategic Mobilization Limited (SML), a Ghanaian owned company with focus on audit service assurance. She had her first degree in Information Technology from the Ghana Telecom University and Masters in International trade at Anhalt University, Germany. She has also read courses in Information Technology and have certificates from top Indian institutions.
It was in India that her love for tea started, as it is customary in Indian culture to offer your visitors tea. Judith made friends with an Indian family who always offered her tea when she visited. The taste of that tea, she said, was unique from all kinds of teas she had ever tasted. Not only did she enjoy the taste but she also felt stronger and energized when she took the tea. Out of curiosity, she asked about the recipe and she was given.
So when she came back to Ghana after completing her course, she started trying the recipe. Her interest at the time was to just nourish her family. As friends visited her home, she would also give them some to try. Later, some of her friends began placing orders and she would gladly make it for them. They usually came back with the feedback that the tea makes them sleep better, feel better and stronger, and even the men among them said it increases their libido. Yes, libido! That is why it is called the ‘healing tea’ – it solves many health problems.
So, judging from the positive reviews and feedback she got from them, and the increasing orders she was inundated with, she thought about commercializing it. But could not start until the pandemic brought an opportunity.
The lockdown came as blessing in disguise
Because Judith is already busy in the corporate world, time constraints limited her from starting the business. But then, the coronavirus pandemic surfaced and government ordered a three-week lockdown. This forced her to stay at home with her family. To take advantage of the moment, she cleared her garage and converted it to a small tea shop where people could walk in and purchase a cup of tea.
Interestingly, the tea’s nutrients have immune boosting abilities, and that even shot up demand, as everyone was concerned about boosting their immune system to fight the virus, should they contract it.
“I put it out as a business for others to also have access to it. I’ve realized the need for people to have access to traditionally brewed tea using our traditional ginger and to boost their immune system. Also, the feedback was better hence my motivation to commercialize it in Sept 2020,” she said.
Bev-Real Tea
Bev-Real Tea is currently made up of four variety of teas including the lemongrass tea, which prevents infection, boost oral health, relieves pain, and boost red blood cells level.
Ginger tea which is anti-inflammatory, ease headache and migraines, reduces nausea, boost the immune system and reduces cough and cold.
Cinnamon tea also reduces type 2 diabetes, lower bad cholesterol levels, fight harmful effects of inflammation, improves blood circulation, and helps in weight loss.
And lastly, the mint leaves tea which ensures fresh breath, eases digestive upset, relieves clogged sinuses, and fights bacterial infection.
“What makes Bev-Real Tea special is that we deal with the traditional way of brewing tea, we don’t use tea bags or any ingredients that are not organic. We use cinnamon, mints, ginger, and we make sure they are fresh from the farm; and it’s not left to dry. Because the main ingredients for the tea are kept fresh, it does just what it ought to do.
The whole idea is for consumers to take it hot, and so, when you visit our stands, it’s kept in the flask and served hot. We always advise those who buy liters and send them home to warm before drinking so that it can effectively work on their system, even though they can enjoy it cold.
Inasmuch as customers can place their order and pick it up themselves, we have dispatch riders that deliver to clients on demand. Bev-Real Tea can be stored but because it’s natural and has no preservatives, it should not go beyond two weeks,” she said.
How education has helped
For Judith, her educational background has been a great advantage to the business, as courses she studied in school including International Trade have given her enough confidence to see beyond operating local to strive to tap into the internal market and expand.
Vision
Bev-Real Tea wants to become the premier tea company in Ghana while maintaining its principles of freshness, with no additives. It also hopes to take the traditional tea brewing industry to the top level where she can export.
Challenges
She said one major challenge her business is facing is the Ghanaian attitude towards tea. She said because many prefer to have their heavy food any time of the day and move on with their daily routine, they underestimate the traditional tea, which tends to boost their immune system and ensure healthy organs.
How government could support
Judith wants government agencies responsible for providing permits and certifications to businesses to introduce modern technology and reforms that will expedite the process, as it is very frustrating, especially, for start-ups seeking to start their enterprises.
Economic empowerment for women
Mrs. Judith Bani believes that just as educating a woman means educating the family, nation, and society, so is it with empowering women economically as they are capable of replicating it and impacting other lives.
Advice for prospective entrepreneurs
For Judith, prospective entrepreneurs should not quickly jump into executing their ideas but plan well towards it.
“I started commercializing my business just a year ago, that doesn’t mean that I couldn’t have pushed it earlier. But now, I feel confident, better, and sound with my ideas; and also feel like this is the right time to make it more visible to people. It has taken me over a year, I’ve listened to comments, criticism that will make it better. So ideas will come but you have to look at the prospect,” she advised.
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