We were lucky to catch up with Samantha Irwin recently and have shared our conversation below.

Samantha, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

This is a hard question..I only have two lines so far and they both mean the world to me. Specifically, my wellness teas are meaningful to me because they are blended to ease symptoms of ailments and help with the literal sense of healing. Which is why I started this business in the first place, I wanted to provide healing. But then there is my zodiac line. My baby. Born from an idea my friend, Stormy, had. This line is so special to me because it heals in the way of communication and being understood. When I do pop-up tables and let people try their own zodiac tea, and then that of their partner, and then their mom’s sign, and then their sibling’s sign, there is something so special about seeing their face light up and the understanding of that flavor matching that personality. The conversations had over tea always feel safe and cozy. I don’t have a cut and dry answer because every line I have and will have is most meaningful to somebody. Some people need physical healing and some people just want to be understood. The project that means the most to me changes from person to person because the value is in how the tea makes them feel.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Of course! I’m Sam. I blend loose leaf tea. I actually got into tea when I was about 22/23. I started working at a tea shop in the mall. I really love tea, don’t get me wrong..but my biggest love is people, more specifically, teaching people. I would show them this new thing and they would get so excited. Those people then connect with someone else over tea and before you know it, you’ve started a chain of people connecting over this very caring gesture. Think about a person cooking a meal for someone they care about. It’s the same thing. I never get over how special it is to make a personal connection just by sharing a cup of tea with someone. There is something magical about saying to someone “Let me make you something I KNOW you will love” and then watching their eyes get big with surprised delight when they take the first sip.

I blend ingredients based on an idea. At it’s core, tea is leaf water. However, when you make a cup of tea for another person, you share a space with them. If you make a tea for yourself every day and never make tea for another person, that’s also a space you have carved out for yourself. In this space, there is room for understanding, relaxation, motivation, support, gossip, whatever but it becomes so much more than leaf water in the space you have either provided or have been invited into. It’s sweet and special. My goal is to spread that feeling to as many people as possible. That cozy, cared-for feeling. The main thing I would love for my customers to know about Blended by the Stars is that every tea is made with healing in mind.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I would have to say the most rewarding aspect of being a creative is that I’m expected to be myself. I was nervous about doing this interview because..well..I’m much better at blending teas than I am at writing. My friend, Ryan, said something that made me feel a lot better. ” You don’t have to if you don’t want to. If you are going to do it, just be yourself. You have gotten this far by being yourself.” I’m a very lovey person and I have no problem being a sappy, hugging, complimenting, emotional tornado. I say what I feel and most of the time I just want to restore self-love in people. I want people to know how valuable they are all the time. Because of the freedom to be myself, I don’t feel restricted in my actions or my feelings. So I just share my tea with people, tell them why I love them, and hopefully they spread that love when they leave me.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I have been working a full-time job, a part-time job and growing my tea business for a year. That’s the story. I’m running on fumes and a dream but I know that one day I will have my own tea shop.

Contact Info:

• Website: blendedbythestars.com
• Instagram: @blendedbythestars.com

Image Credits
Bridget Wilson Vanessa Soto