We recently connected with Maggie(ranmu) Xue and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Maggie(ranmu) , thanks for joining us today. So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?

TEA IS FOR EVERYONE

“Us Two” means the two of us. It’s about celebrating all sorts of relationships and connecting people together. We want to celebrate all the small moments in life that give us the greatest joy – a kiss, a smile, a laugh, or a burst of creativity – alone or in the company of those we love. We want to make tea culture more accessible to people in the U.S and to speak to them in a way that coffee connects people here: inclusive, welcoming and accessible.

Maggie(ranmu) , 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?

Tea is at the heart of Asian culture and it has always been a part of my life. Yet the tea brands we know and love are not Asian. I couldn’t help but wonder why. I have lived in the US for 10 years now and I have realized that we cannot just wonder. It is our generation’s responsibility to claim our culture and create a brand that represents us.

Us Two Tea is not a traditional Asian tea brand. We are a reflection of the Asian American experience, a unique combination of the east and west. Unfortunately, being a minority group in the U.S makes us a target for discrimination and racism. Constantly trying to fit in, we sometimes get lost in the process and forget who we are.

I hope this brand encourages our next generation to be more confident about our culture and stay true and authentic to who they are – to be proud of being Asian American. I hope it inspires them to pursue their dreams and gives them the confidence to do what they love. We can dare to defy expectations and stand out, not just fit in.

Have you ever had to pivot?

We officially launched in February 2020 right before Covid hit America. We were going to open a storefront in Brooklyn but luckily we dodged the bullet. We decided to focus on DTC and building our online shop instead since everyone was working from home and there were restrictions during that time. It was the best decision we have made since we launched the business because of how consumers shop really differently after Covid and focusing on e-commerce brought us a 120% increase in revenue in Q4 2020.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Be Authentic and post stories and reels based on your mission and show the community who you are as a brand. Also, leverage your community to tell your stories or your product. The best advertising is the word of mouth.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ustwotea.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ustwotea/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ustwotea/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ustwotea/

Image Credits
ustwotea