We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Yolanda McGowan. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Yolanda below.

Alright, Yolanda thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?

After tasting my first cup of warm ginger tea, I was in love. Soon after, I became curious about all the good benefits the tea could possibly have for my body. So, I began researching the benefits of ginger. As I researched, other related information came up such as other roots, herbs, flowers, berries, etc. I remember reading about the hibiscus flower, its benefits and how the dried flower could be used in a tea. I then thought, “ hibiscus is anti-inflammatory and aids in increasing circulation. If I can pair that with the ginger, imagine the amazing benefits that it could produce!” After diving deeper into the benefits of both ginger and hibiscus and wondering if the two would pair well, I thought about the taste.

I made a small pot of ginger and hibiscus tea, poured it in a cup, sweetened it with honey and wow, I was pleasantly surprised. So, it became a tea I would make all the time. As I continued researching and reading, I decided to add garlic, cayenne, and cinnamon to the ginger hibiscus combination. It was spicy but smooth. With the added sweetness of honey, this new tea was amazing. I was excited because of the way my taste buds danced every time I drank this tea and because of the medicinal benefits this tea brought to my body. Knowing this, I could not keep all that good healing to myself so, I began making the teas for family and friends, especially when they were under the weather. One of my friends would tell me, “You know you could sell this.” I thought the teas were tasty and beneficial but to sell them, no. Initially, I thought “why would I sell this and who would pay for it?”

I continued making teas for friends and family, experimenting with different herbs, roots, and flowers. One day at work enjoying a cup of my tea, a coworker inquired about the ingredients and taste. The next day I brought her a mason jar of the ginger hibiscus tea to try. She loved it and asked to purchase a jar. My first sale! After that, I would go on to sell 16oz mason jars of tea to people via word of mouth. By May 2019, with a table and canopy tent I borrowed from my cousin, I became a vendor for the first time at a Neo Soul event on Emancipation Avenue. The feedback from the community was amazing. One of the many responses that sticks in my mind to this day was from a young lady. As she is sampling the ginger mint lime, eyes closed, she says, “Mmm this tastes like a refreshing day on the beach. I can taste the love.” I enjoyed sharing samples of tea, educating, and observing business owners that looked like me. That was the day. The confirmation. This is what I was meant to do. On June 8th, 2019, I attended one of the workshops hosted by the late Mr. Sunshine (RIP) of Sunshine’s Vegetarian Deli on Old Spanish Trail which he held every Saturday. After sampling my teas, Mr. Sunshine invited me to bring in 6 jars to see how well they would sell. I was ecstatic and gratefully accepted. 6 jars quickly increased to 12 and now, I restock with cases at a time. Firsthand exposure to business owners along with their encouragement, inspired me to take a more serious look at this business thing.

I applied for and became a DBA in August 2019. By May 2020, after talking with one of my business mentors, Beevee’s Teas went from 16oz mason jars to 16oz bottles. This switch was a game changer. My teas were moving off the shelves and out the cooler even faster. In September 2020, Beevee’s Teas gained a second location with The Black Store: Beauty Supply Experience at 8616 Cullen Blvd. While maintaining inventory and the two locations, I was still participating at vendor events and markets. A third location was secured from November 2021 to March 2022, with District Market Green Grocer, a black owned supermarket, located at 3337 Cypress Creek Pkwy. It has been a beautiful journey, bumps and all, because I learn from every experience. Today, Beevee’s Teas can be found at three locations: Sunshine’s Vegetarian Deli at 3102 Old Spanish Trail, The Black Store at 8616 Cullen Blvd, and the late Mr. Sunshine and Ms. Arga’s newest location Sunshine’s Vegan at 1202 Lockwood Dr.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

My love for tea blossomed into a business opportunity. After researching about the benefits of different herbs, roots, and flowers and their effects on the body, I was excited to share my teas with family and friends. I enjoyed, and still do, experimenting and pairing the herbs, roots, and/or flowers to see what flavor combinations can be produced and how their benefits, in tea form, can aid the body. I’ve always had a general knowledge of the body’s systems and how they work. After taking more advanced classes in nursing school, I became more intrigued and excited about creating tea combinations and how they could aid in healing and illness prevention in the body. After selling my first tea to my coworker and attending my first vending event, I knew I was ready to turn my love for creating teas into a possible business.

The late Mr. Sunshine gave me my first opportunity to sell my teas out of a store, allowing the beginning stages of my dream for Beevee’s Tea to flourish. Whether at a market, vendor’s events, or stores, I know that each bottle consumed possesses my healing love. The long hours I have spent in the kitchen, taste testing and sometimes having to start all over, make the messages of love and appreciation I receive worthwhile. For that, I can truly say I love what I do.

I don’t ever advise anyone to stop taking medication or stop going to their doctor, but I do educate on the fact that a lot of ailments and diseases can be corrected through diet and lifestyle changes so that the need for some medications can be weaned and eventually eliminated. While studying different roots, herbs, flowers, etc., I learned that everything has its purpose and there’s a plant, vegetable, fruit, herb, or flower out there that has properties that will aid healing and prevent illness. For instance, ginger. Ginger is anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-cancer, boosts the immune system, prevents and soothes nausea and upset stomach, aids in increasing circulation and protecting the heart, reduces menstrual pains, and is great for muscle recovery, along with many other medicinal properties. Currently three of five Beevee’s Teas have ginger which include Ginger Hibiscus, Ginger Mint Lime, and Elderberry Cinnamon Ginger. The other two teas are Lung Plus, which has mullein leaf and red clover, and Dose of Calm, which has butterfly pea flower and lavender. Mullein is an expectorant, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, soothes sore throats, aids in relieving congestion that is associated with a dry cough, boosts the immune system, and much more. Then there’s the hibiscus flower. Hibiscus aids in lowering blood pressure and cholesterol, boosts the immune system, is anti-cancer, reduces menstrual pains, aids in preventing bladder infections, boosts liver health, great for the digestive system, etc. I aim to provide as many people as possible with a healthy drink alternative to the sodas and other unhealthy sugary drinks that exist today. The teas can be consumed both warm and cold. I have had Beevee’s Teas family members (I really don’t like saying customers) replace their coffee with my tea. Beevee’s Teas is made with intention and love. Your body will thank you!

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I have enjoyed this journey as I am grateful for the wonderful people I’ve met, the successes, and even the missed successes that are lessons. Initially my teas were sold in 16oz glass mason jars with a yellow cloth on top, secured with a jute twine and a logo sticker placed on top. They were super cute and when out at the markets and vendor events I got lots of compliments. On the days I would restock at Sunshine’s Deli, I used to give out samples of tea and share information about my teas. Like I said, lots of compliments, but received a reoccurring comment, “I thought that was honey.” After talking to one of my business mentor friends, a change was made.

This is when I switched from the jars to the 16oz bottles with the logo sticker on front. Before the change, the teas were selling really good but after switching, the teas were really flying off the shelves. I still had the same amazing taste but that one change in packaging made a big difference. A huge lesson learned! That one decision also saved me time and money so in-turn I have been able to reach more people and bless more bodies with my healing love in a bottle.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I am extremely grateful for the following I have which consists of both new and returning loyal customers who I refer to as my Beevee’s Tea family. Beevee’s Teas not only tastes amazing but are also good for you. The appreciation of each unique tea flavor is seen through the reactions when the teas are sampled. Each “wow, this is really good!”, closed eye as the tea hits the taste buds, shoulder shimmy, little dance, and sometimes all of the above, is worth it.

I advertise and market on Facebook, Instagram, with flyers and the like but I believe the best advertisement comes via word of mouth. I’ve heard numerous times, “so and so told me about you and your teas.”

Contact Info:

• Website: Beeveesteas.com
• Instagram: Beeveesteas and Coachbee_24fit
• Facebook: Beeveemcgowan