We were lucky to catch up with Jasmine Williamson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Jasmine, thanks for joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

Enjoying tea parties at home as a little girl with my parents was a favorite childhood pastime, but I never dreamed of owning a business offering loose leaf tea blends and hosting luxury tea parties. Entrepreneurship was not a part of my life’s plan until countless tea parties at home with my daughter Jaila, the ParTea Princess, rekindled my allure with its essence. Tea Rose blossomed after we decided to couple our intimate mother-daughter tea pastime and vacation tearoom experience to host tea parties in homes and event spaces across Music City and surrounding areas. After hosting Jaila’s 7th Princess ParTea during COVID, we knew for sure that there’s no party like a tea party! Jaila emphatically declared that we should share this intimate experience with everyone. As a certified Etiquette Consultant, teaching timeless mannerisms, formal dining and social graces to youth and adults alike brings me joy.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Tea Rose was initially envisioned to be a formal tearoom as a new jewel in Nashville after I completed my doctoral program. Shortly after I finished, COVID occurred and postponed the idea of a brick and mortar after watching so many small businesses close. Yet, our mother-daughter tea parties continued at home and Jaila reimagined Tea Rose as a mobile entity. As often quoted “out of the mouth of babes,” Jaila sparked a new direction for us. She desired for everyone to be able to enjoy the experience, but now at the comfort and safety of their home with the guests they wanted to reconnect with in person, or even give a different experience to their families at home. While a tearoom is still a future achievement, we are focused on the core of our business – creating memorable moments through tea experiences.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

The greatest lesson I’ve unlearned is the definition of success. While the traditional American dream has been taught to be the highest personal goal attainment, I had to unsubscribe from the dictated norms to have peace of mind about my life’s journey. During my first professional leadership role, one of my mentors proclaimed, “I can have it all, I just have to define what ALL is.” She challenged me reflect on my core values, aspirations and joy ultimately to identify “my all.” Through personal and professional milestones and distresses, the balancing act of motherhood and entrepreneurship, my all has been revised countlessly on what success feels and looks like for my life.

Contact Info:

• Website: tearosenashville.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/tearosenashville
• Facebook: instagram.com/tearosenashville
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/tearosenashville
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChO5NiIxFzxJattUmjd9QVQ