We were lucky to catch up with Ebony Berry recently and have shared our conversation below.

Ebony , appreciate you joining us today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

People often assume Come Tea Us started with a business plan. In reality, it started with a cup of tea—and thousands of miles from home.

My first real introduction to tea culture came during a three-week trip through England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. Before that trip, tea was simply a beverage. In the UK, I discovered tea was an experience. Tea for breakfast, tea mid-morning, tea at lunch, afternoon tea, tea with dinner, and even tea before bed. At first, I thought, “How much tea can one person drink?” Apparently, quite a lot.

What fascinated me wasn’t just the tea itself, but what happened around it. People slowed down. They gathered. They talked. They connected. As someone with an 18-year background in wellness, I was immediately drawn to the science behind it—the way tea naturally encourages mindfulness, conversation, and human connection.

That trip planted a seed.

Over the years, I visited tea houses across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, collecting ideas and inspiration along the way. One of my favorite experiences was visiting Butchart Gardens in Canada, where the beauty of the gardens and the tea service felt almost magical. Even today, it remains a tradition for me to enjoy at least one full tea experience each Christmas with friends and family.

Eventually, I realized I wanted to create those same moments of connection for others.

Once the idea became more than a dream, I shifted into execution mode. I researched business licensing and insurance requirements, developed a business plan, built a pricing structure, created service offerings, invested in inventory, and launched social media channels. I also began attending networking events and introducing Come Tea Us to anyone who would give me a few minutes of their time. My corporate background taught me the importance of relationship-building and sales strategy, so I approached growing the business intentionally rather than waiting for opportunities to find me.

Fortunately, I wasn’t building completely alone. Along the way, I had talented people who helped bring different parts of the vision to life—from marketing and creative design to sales support and event operations. Their contributions helped transform an idea into a business, allowing me to focus on growth and on creating memorable experiences for our guests.

That said, there were still plenty of days when my carefully crafted plans met the reality of entrepreneurship. Like many entrepreneurs, I wore every hat imaginable—event planner, marketer, salesperson, logistics coordinator, customer service representative, and chief tea enthusiast. Businesses may have a founder, but they are rarely built alone, and I’ve learned the importance of leaning on a strong support system and surrounding yourself with people who believe in your vision.

Of course, entrepreneurship came with its share of steeping lessons. There were challenges, mistakes, and moments when things didn’t go according to plan. One lesson has stayed with me: when something doesn’t work, don’t go back to the beginning. Go back to where the challenge started, make adjustments, and keep refining until it sticks.

Perhaps the most surprising lesson is the power of authenticity. Some of my greatest support has come from openly sharing both my successes and struggles. I’ve found that many business owners genuinely want to help one another because they’ve faced similar challenges themselves. Being willing to show up as your authentic self creates opportunities for connection, mentorship, and growth.

This spring, Come Tea Us celebrated its one-year anniversary. Looking back, it’s amazing to see how a passion for tea, wellness, and human connection has grown into a business dedicated to creating meaningful experiences and bringing people together.

What began as a fascination with tea culture has evolved into a business focused on helping people slow down, connect, and build meaningful relationships. At the end of the day, tea is never really about the tea. It’s about creating space for conversation, belonging, community, and connection—and that’s exactly what we hope to inspire, one cup at a time.

Ebony , 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’m Ebony Berry, Founder and Event Director of Come Tea Us, a Dallas-based company that creates mobile tea-themed experiences designed to foster connection, belonging, and community. Our motto is simple: Sip. Savor. Socialize.

While many people think of tea parties as traditional or formal, we’ve reimagined what a tea experience can be. Today, Come Tea Us designs and produces interactive tea-themed experiences for corporations, apartment communities, nonprofits, schools, conferences, community organizations, and private clients. From tea lounges and tea etiquette workshops to wellness activations, creative experiences, and social gatherings, our goal is to create meaningful moments that bring people together.

My professional background is somewhat unique for this industry. Before launching Come Tea Us, I spent nearly two decades working in corporate wellness, employee engagement, human resources, and client relationship management. Throughout my career, I saw firsthand how disconnected people were becoming despite being more digitally connected than ever. Whether in the workplace, schools, or communities, people were craving authentic opportunities to slow down, engage in meaningful conversations, and build relationships.

That’s the problem Come Tea Us was created to solve.

We don’t simply serve tea; we create environments where connection can happen naturally. Some of the most meaningful feedback we receive isn’t about the tea itself—it’s hearing that someone met a new friend, strengthened a relationship, connected with a colleague, or simply took a much-needed pause from life’s constant demands.

What sets us apart is that we’re not just an event company, nor a traditional tea room. We bring the experience directly to our clients and thoughtfully curate each activation around their goals, audience, and vision.

In many ways, we’re a one-stop shop for tea-themed experiences. We make it easy for clients to create a customized experience by handling the details from concept to execution. From tea service and décor to interactive elements and event coordination, we create seamless experiences designed to reduce stress and maximize enjoyment.

Clients can further customize their experience with entertainment, interactive activities, wellness-focused programming, and creative enhancements designed to reflect their audience and event goals. Whether it’s a corporate gathering, resident social, nonprofit fundraiser, youth program, conference activation, or private celebration, we help bring the vision to life while creating opportunities for genuine connection.

One of the things I’m most proud of is how quickly the business has grown during its first year. What started as an idea has evolved into a growing brand that has partnered with businesses, nonprofits, venues, and community organizations throughout the Dallas area. More importantly, we’ve built a community of people who believe in the value of slowing down, being present, and connecting with one another.

I’m also proud that we’ve stayed true to our mission while continuing to evolve. We’ve expanded our offerings, introduced new experiences, and learned a tremendous amount during our first year in business. Every event teaches us something new and helps us create even better experiences for our guests.

If there’s one thing I want people to know about Come Tea Us, it’s that we’re in the business of creating connection, community, and belonging. Tea is simply how we bring people to the table. And yes—the tea itself is pretty fantastic. We take our guests’ palates seriously and believe great conversation deserves great tea and thoughtfully curated food.

Whether someone attends one of our public events, hires us for a private gathering, partners with us for a resident activation, or invites us into their organization, my hope is that they leave feeling seen, valued, connected, and inspired.

In a world that often feels rushed and transactional, we’re creating intentional spaces where people can slow down, build relationships, and experience genuine community—one cup of tea at a time.

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

One lesson I’m actively unlearning is the belief that every event, project, or opportunity has to be a huge success to be meaningful.

Early in my entrepreneurial journey, I would measure success by attendance numbers, sales, or how closely an event matched the vision I had in my head. If I had a sold-out event one month and a smaller turnout the next, I would immediately view the smaller event as a failure. In reality, I was often being my own worst critic.

What I’ve come to realize is that building a business isn’t always about reaching hundreds of people at once. Sometimes it only takes one person. One guest who had an amazing experience. One client who becomes a repeat customer. One attendee who tells a friend. One connection that turns into a partnership months later. The impact of an experience can’t always be measured by numbers alone.

I’ve also had to learn to celebrate the wins—both big and small. As entrepreneurs, we’re often so focused on the next goal that we barely acknowledge the progress we’ve already made. I’m learning to pause and appreciate the milestones along the way, whether that’s a sold-out event, a positive client review, a new partnership, or simply the fact that I showed up and kept going on a challenging day.

Another lesson I’m unlearning is the idea that rest has to be earned. For years, I viewed rest as something that happened only after everything on my to-do list was complete—which, as most entrepreneurs know, is never.

This past spring, I took my first “adult camping” trip with a friend. As soon as we entered the park, I lost cell phone service for the entire weekend. At first, it felt a little uncomfortable. Then it became one of the most refreshing experiences I’ve had in a long time. We roasted hot dogs, marshmallows, pancakes, eggs, and bacon over an open fire. We sat by the lake, talked, laughed, and simply enjoyed being present.

Without constant notifications, emails, and distractions, I was reminded how important it is to recharge.

That weekend taught me something I should have learned years ago: productivity is connected to the condition of your battery. You can’t continue pouring into your business, your clients, your family, or your community if you’re constantly running on empty.

Today, I’m learning that success isn’t just about doing more. Sometimes it’s about slowing down, celebrating the journey, and giving yourself permission to rest so you can continue showing up as your best self.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

One recent resource that significantly impacted my entrepreneurial thinking was Business Class, a documentary series created in partnership with American Express and available on Amazon Prime. The series follows entrepreneurs from around the world—from established brands like Ben & Jerry’s and David Chang’s businesses to emerging innovators and small business owners who are solving problems in creative ways.

What resonated most with me was seeing that entrepreneurship looks different for everyone. There is no single blueprint for success. Each entrepreneur faced unique challenges, setbacks, and moments of uncertainty, yet they continued to adapt, innovate, and move forward. It was a powerful reminder that growth often comes from resilience, creativity, and the willingness to keep going when the path isn’t perfectly clear.

One story that particularly stood out was Desserto, a company that transformed cactus into a sustainable leather alternative. It reinforced the idea that some of the most successful businesses are born from looking at familiar problems through a different lens and being willing to challenge conventional thinking.

Historically, I’ve also drawn a great deal of inspiration from motivational speaker Les Brown. His famous message, “You Gotta Be Hungry,” has stayed with me throughout my career. Entrepreneurship requires more than a good idea—it requires persistence, belief, and the determination to keep moving forward even when the results aren’t immediate.

I also regularly listen to Myron Golden, whose teachings on mindset, value creation, business growth, and personal development have influenced how I think about entrepreneurship and leadership. One lesson that has particularly stayed with me is the idea that money follows value. The more problems you solve and the more value you create for others, the greater your opportunity for success. That lesson challenged me to stop focusing on what I was selling and start focusing on the problem I was solving. It reinforced my belief that Come Tea Us isn’t simply in the tea business—it’s in the business of creating connection, community, and belonging.

Beyond business-focused resources, I enjoy watching interviews and conversations featuring Oprah Winfrey, particularly Super Soul Sunday, commencement speeches, and university interviews. I appreciate hearing the journeys of successful leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers because their stories often reveal common themes: perseverance, authenticity, continuous learning, and the courage to pursue a vision despite obstacles.

If I had to summarize the biggest lesson these resources have taught me, it would be this: entrepreneurship is not a linear journey. There will be setbacks, disappointments, pivots, unexpected opportunities, and moments when the path forward isn’t entirely clear. What separates successful entrepreneurs isn’t that they avoid challenges—it’s that they continue moving forward despite them, staying curious, learning, and adapting along the way.

Entrepreneurship is a lot like steeping tea. You can’t rush the process, and sometimes the best results come from patience, faith, adjustment, and trusting the journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.cometeaus.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cometeaus/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Come-Tea-Us-61572971767810/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cometeaus/
• Other: Tik Tok: @come.tea.us

Image Credits

Jasmine Green