The Tea Academy was founded by Melanie O'Hara-Salyers, owner of Miss Melanie's Tea Room in Johnson City ,Tennessee. She is also the author of the tea mystery series, "The Traveling Tea Ladies," due to be released in January 2011.
Melanie earned a degree in Public Relations and Marketing from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas as well as a health degree from East Tennessee State University. Her passion for tea was ignited after living abroad in London.
"I remember the challenges of getting started," O'Hara-Salyers said. "There are so many decisions: location for your business, where to purchase teas, developing a menu, kitchen design and dealing with the codes officials. There are so many things that can go wrong and though I thought I had done all my research up front, I wish I could have had someone to guide me through the process!"
"The mission of The Tea Academy is to provide a foundation through education for those seeking their own tea business," she said. "If I can prevent each participant from making costly mistakes that can determine whether their business just survives or thrives, than I have done my job!"
The Tea Academy not only offers a foundation for your tea business, but will assist you once your business has opened. "We offer a private chat room forum for our students after they graduate so that we may continue to be a source of support and inspiration for any questions or situations that may arise," O'Hara-Salyers said. "Often times, many months after the seminar is over, you many find yourself in a unique situation that only another person in the tea business can understand. Sharing the joys and pitfalls with the private chat group can offer a treasure trove of advice. And I also offer onsite consulting to help get your business opened and profitable!" she said.
"We are also in a unique position to assist established tea businesses that may need to restructure their business. We offer menu restructuring, recipe development, costing & inventory training as well as creative ways to increase profit," O'Hara-Salyers said. "This is availabe through our tea business consulting and marketing program."
The Tea Academy Offers Training From Proffessionals in the Following Areas:
*Business Plans
*Grants and Loans
*Tea Etiquette
*Table Scapes
*Merchandising
*Menu Planning
*Secrets From
the Tea Room
Cooking Class
*Tea Party Recipes
*Tea Tasting
*Tea Preparation
*Gift Shop Vendors
*Afternoon Teas *Themed Tea Events
*Promoting Your
Business for Free
* Advertising
*Kitchen Planning *Finding a Location
*Codes & Zoning
*Health Inspectors
*Licensing