We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Tara Godby. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Tara below.

Tara, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. To kick things off, we’d love to hear about things you or your brand do that diverge from the industry standard.

After spending three decades in the corporate world, I made the exciting leap to become a full-time entrepreneur in 2018. I am the proud owner of a coaching and consulting firm named Elan Coaching and Consulting, but my recent passion project has been brewing up something special – a tea brand known as Teakeasy Tea. At Teakeasy Tea our ultimate goal is to create a unique tea lounge, where we can bring the elegance of fine tea to a wider audience. You see, the tea industry is often steeped in tradition and ceremony, much like the world of wine. There are countless processes, regional nuances, and brewing rules that can make tea quite intimidating for newcomers. At Teakeasy Tea, we’ve done all the homework for you! We meticulously select only the finest and ethically sourced teas, so you don’t have to guess. We make fine tea approachable.

But our vision goes beyond just selling tea. We aim to craft an environment and experience that caters to both seasoned tea enthusiasts and curious newcomers. Picture this: it’s a blend of a traditional Tea House with the allure of a Speakeasy, and voila – you’ve got Teakeasy! We’re ditching the formalities of high tea and the notion of tea and crumpets. Instead, we’re creating a cozy and inviting space where people can come together to savor tea and each other’s company.

Our space will boast a delightful array of tea blends, delectable small bites, and the magic of music. And for those feeling a bit adventurous, you might want to try one of our tea-infused cocktails. It’s a concept that’s fresh and unexpected in the world of tea houses, but Teakeasy Tea Lounge is here to revolutionize the tea industry.

While we’re in the process of securing our tea lounge space, we’ve already taken the first steps by offering our exquisite tea blends online and through various business clients. Our customers have been raving about the unique flavors, blends, and the unmatched quality of our teas. We’re on a mission to bring the joy of tea to everyone, one cup at a time.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Teakeasy is not just a tea company; it’s a passion-driven, black-owned, woman-owned, and veteran-owned venture that dances to the rhythm of music. Founded by my husband, Duane, and me Tara Godby,

Our journey to conceptualize Teakeasy started with a remarkable woman who owned a tea lounge. She stumbled upon the healing wonders of tea while battling her ailments, and this ignited her passion for tea. She then transformed her dream into a beautiful tea house. I loved her lounge but often shared my ideas and vision for what I would do differently in the world of tea with my husband. One day, as we discussed our dreams, he simply said, ‘Let’s do it.’ With retirement on the horizon for him, we began to envision his second act. Over two years, we meticulously crafted the Teakeasy concept, formed essential partnerships, navigated the legal intricacies, including trademarking, and searched for the perfect physical location to bring our dream to life.

While we continue the quest for our ideal brick-and-mortar space, we’ve taken the first steps by launching our online presence and engaging in business wholesaling. Teakeasy is more than a tea brand; it’s a symphony of flavors, a celebration of passion, and an ode to the power of music-inspired luxury in the world of tea. You will notice the many of our tea are named based on musical influence ( Loouis Oolong, Duke Wellington, Swett Dream, Duke of Earl, Georgia on my mind, etc.

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

Although not directly related to our business endeavors, the story of my husband, who is also my business partner, is a unique and cherished tale in itself. My connection with him spans an incredible 52 years. While we’ve only been married for seven years and together for a decade, our history together reaches much further back.

You see, my husband and I grew up as neighbors, living just across the street from each other. Even though I had a crush on him throughout my life, we never dated. He saw me as his brother’s little sister and a dear friend. Our families were intertwined for generations. His sister was my mom’s best friend, and his mother and my aunt shared a close bond. While he and his family eventually moved to Washington, DC, his sister stayed in our hometown, and he would return every summer and during holidays. I always secretly looked forward to those moments when I could see him again.

Fast forward through many years, and both of us had married other people, only to subsequently go through divorces. Then, one day, through the magic of Facebook, we struck up a conversation. Our friendship had always been there, but during that particular conversation, something shifted. We decided to take our conversation offline, and he decided to visit me. The rest, as they say, is history. That momentous decision was made a decade ago, and today, we are not only building a life together but also a thriving business. We couldn’t be happier with where life has brought us.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Life has been a series of twists and turns, and I firmly believe that every twist of fate happens for a reason. Why do we expect 18-year-olds to chart the course for their entire lives? Perhaps it’s because, at that age, we’re filled with ideas, promises, and hope. When I entered college, I had my sights set on a career in television broadcasting. I envisioned myself as a talk show host, not in the mold of Sally Jesse Raphael or Oprah Winfrey at the time, but more as a facilitator of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. My goal was to help people discover joy, and this was in an era before the rise of figures like Iyanla Vanzant and Brené Brown.

However, life had different plans, and there came a pivotal moment. I spent approximately 30 years in the corporate world, primarily focusing on leadership development and management. While I was skilled at what I did, I realized that I wasn’t truly happy. Around the age of 40, I decided to take a step back and reflect on what I loved about my job. This introspection led me to return to school and earn a master’s certificate in coaching. My initial intention was to integrate coaching into my corporate career, as I thoroughly enjoyed mentoring and guiding others, both professionally and personally.

But then, another pivot occurred. I made the bold decision to leave the corporate world behind and establish my own coaching and consulting firm. While I continued to provide leadership coaching, the absence of corporate constraints allowed me to delve deeper into the work, and it was an amazing experience.

As I embarked on the journey of the tea business, I found myself pondering my passions and how they related to coaching. In yet another pivot, I discovered that the core of my coaching philosophy was rooted in the desire to make people feel heard, give them a voice, and foster connections. This realization seamlessly aligned with my vision for the tea business – a place where people would discover connection and a profound sense of belonging.

While these pivots may appear disconnected, I firmly believe that each of my life experiences has shaped me into the person I am today. Every twist and turn was worth it, leading me to the fulfilling path I now walk, both personally and professionally.

So maybe I am the “talk show host after all. I am focused on people finding joy, happiness, peace, and connection

Contact Info:

• Website: tara@elancoachingandconsulting.com, www.teakeasytea.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teakeasytea/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Teakeasy
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tara-e-godby-cpc-6816a277