They want to own their own business and quit their jobs and become self-employed. The main reasons for this are control and flexibility, opportunity and independence.

The tea industry lends itself to women-owned businesses. There are many opportunities in the tea industry where a woman can own a business and still have control and flexibility. Women want to gain control of their time, their future and their finances.

Since women are generally the caregivers, they need flexibility in their varied responsibilities. Owning your own business gives you this flexibility over your hours and schedules, although it often requires longer work hours.

Opportunities in the tea industry include catering for tea parties, home parties, retailing tea and tea accessories from your home, websites and conferences, and tea education. The women can build their business from home via fax and computers and ship products directly to their customers.

Owning her own business gives a woman independence. With all the downsizing happening in corporate America, the tea industry lends itself to women who want to go into self-employment. A woman can run a business as she sees fit and she can control the course of the business. There is no “glass ceiling” and talented women can become entrepreneurs.

One of the biggest challenges for women to own their own tea business is financing. The National Council of Women Entrepreneurs found that the biggest barrier to success for women-owned businesses is a lack of capital. Running a service-oriented tea business (tea party catering, etc.) does not require a large amount of capital.

Women often have little to offer as collateral to a bank for a loan. Many have limited credit history because they have never had credit in their own name alone. Many have little financial skills.

Each of these can be overcome. A woman needs to establish a track record in dealing with money. She can gain experience managing the family budget from home. Carrying books for the PTA or other school-related organization, or for a church, or any other organization will give a woman experience in handling money.

Another step is to establish a credit history. Get a small loan and pay it back with regular payments. Get a credit card in your name, either from a bank or a retail store. Use it and pay for it regularly. Also, make sure you understand your credit rights. If credit is denied, a woman has the right to be told in writing why credit was denied.

Find the right bank. There are many women-friendly banks that will lend you money to start a business. If the first rejects you, do not be discouraged, he sees another.

Before going to a bank, you need to understand some requirements. Your need to provide the necessary collateral. In other words, what assets do you have that you are willing to pledge as collateral for your loan? This could include a second mortgage on your home or stocks and bonds or a life insurance policy.

You may need to find someone to co-sign your loan. This may not be to your liking, but look at it as something meaningful to get your business started. Ask the bank for a loan application package so you know what you need to provide to receive your loan and fully complete all necessary requirements.

To be successful, you need motivation, strong business practices, organization, flexibility, problem-solving skills, communication skills, the ability to work toward goals, and most of all, a sense of humor. You also need to keep your balance. Don’t commit too much. Know how much time you have to devote to your business, your family, and any other area of ​​your life. Remember, you don’t have to do everything perfectly: super mom syndrome.

Have a support network. There are many organizations in the communities that you can belong to that will provide you with the moral and professional support you will need along the way. They will also have good suggestions. This is called networking and should not be overlooked. Support from peers further down the line is invaluable.

Starting your own tea business is hard work, but it is well worth the effort.