We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Raechel Kelley Valles a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Raechel, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

I can’t tell the story of Siply without first addressing my family. I come from a long line of strong women, on both sides. My great grandmother on my Father’s side, Effie Irene, (who I got my middle name from) made a name for herself by getting arrested for protesting women’s rights and black rights in Alabama. She thought outside the box and refused to accept the status quo. My Father’s side is from Ireland, where tea is a daily ritual. I actually inherited my great grandmother’s cast iron tea pot, which is routinely used when we have company.

However, my taste for tea truly developed from my mother’s side. My maternal Grandmother, Julie, had tea multiple times a day– english breakfast with milk and sugar, no matter the hour. She lived in Massachusetts, where my family would often spend weeks during our summers when we were younger. She was a headstrong woman, a former nurse gone massage therapist (way before it was trendy). She was a healer, really. Stubborn, intellectual and way ahead of her time.

These women were the seeds that gave me the courage to go against the grain, when it was my turn.

The story of Siply starts when I was in my corporate career. Like most in corporate America, I spent hours upon hours in cubical, the blue light of my computer reflecting off my face while I chugged whatever sludge that came from the latest Keurig cup in the staff kitchen. The first symptoms I noticed were rapid weight loss and thinning hair. I started to become depressed with terrible brain fog and anxiety. That’s when I discovered the dangers and reality of autoimmune diseases. I have Hashimoto’s, a thyroid disorder, that if not treated correctly can turn into other life changing diseases like Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus or cancer.

I studied Science Journalism in college, so when I research something, I go all the way down the rabbit hole. I realized I needed to change my lifestyle fast, or I was headed for a lifetime of problems. So I found a job that allowed to work from home, kicked coffee to the curb and started exploring the wide world of tea.

I traveled to countries like Ireland, Portugal, Canada and India (and more) to get a feel for how other cultures embrace tea. I also became a certified tea sommelier. I was not only drinking the best tea, but I was making fun creations like chilled herbal fusions, original tea blends with pu’er (a fermented black tea) and modernized versions of butter tea (a traditional Tibetan beverage).

Tea changed my life. Not only was I enjoying healthy tasty drinks, I shifted my lifestyle to a more conscious one, where I thought about things like clean living, sourcing, sustainability, and most importantly, self care. Tea is not just something you drink, it is a practice, a pause and a moment just for you.

I started Siply in 2017, when I showed up to the farmers’ market with nothing but a couple drums of butter tea and a smile. Since then, the company has evolved to embody all of those qualities that help me be the best version of myself.

When the world was telling me to sit at my desk and drink my sh*tty coffee, I said no and I found a different path. One that resonated with me and held true to my values. I really credit the strong women in my family for giving me the courage to want something more and the strength to go get it.

Raechel, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I have a loose leaf tea and matcha company. Our teas and herbs are quality-tested for pesticides and other toxins. We never use artificial flavor or sugar in our blends. Every product meets the highest quality of European and Canadian standards. Our products are ethically sourced and responsibly packaged. Responsible Packaging Initiative.
Here’s how it works:

1) Pick up your favorite Siply tea packaged in one of our Collectible Tins.

2) When you run out, grab our Compostable Refill Bag to fill up your Collectible Tin.

3) When you’re really committed, snag a Compostable Bulk Bag to save money and resources.

Fun fact: Once composted, our bags break down within FOUR MONTHS. Cool, right?
Also cool: Every piece of Siply tea packaging is made in the USA.

Every health claim is backed by peer reviewed research. We donate a portion of our profits to planetary wellness. Every cup of Siply tea is rich in flavor. Each tea was sourced and blended by our Certified Tea Sommelier (me) We use only the purest ingredients to create a bold sensory experience with every sip.

How’d you think through whether to sell directly on your own site or through a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc.

I’m a big “trial and error” person. I really need to live something out before I decide if it is for me or not. Same case with Amazon. Of course I was tempted by the high sales and brand exposure… and once we actually got a few of the products on the platform (which was a nightmare process) we actually did get some organic sales. Through out the whole process, I had this underlying anxiety about Amazon. It never truly felt right to me. Once I started learning more about Amazon’s internal culture, I decided to pull back. We’ve instead decided to invest in our community, including the following we are building and the one we live in, Austin, TX. It’s been equally as hard to get my brand off the platform as it was to get on. It’s something we are still working through. For me, the values just are not there, so Amazon isn’t for us.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I’ve really had to let go of that “do it all” mentality. Not only is it unhealthy, causing stress in the body, sleepless nights and adrenal fatigue. I’m also steeling precious time from other areas of life. As a mother, I know I want to be there for my son. This was hard in the beginning. I had to remind myself to pull back, delegate or just save something for later. Yes, this means some aspects may not operate at lightening speed, but I’m okay with that. Balance is the key… and having a good team, of course.

Contact Info:

• Website: sipsiply.com
• Instagram: @sipsiply

Image Credits
Chisum Pierce, Carli Rene, Kelly Sanchez