Today we’d like to introduce you to Nikki Van Warner.
Hi Nikki, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Appalachian DiviniTEA started as an idea years back when Ricky & I looked at each other and realized that we didn’t want to work the 9-5 grind for the rest of our lives. That type of lifestyle wasn’t what made us happy, and so we knew we had to create something ourselves that would provide for us financially and allow us to live in a way that we enjoyed. We brainstormed ideas for awhile, and then we landed on tea. Both of us grew up drinking tea and using herbal remedies throughout our lives, so it seemed fitting to choose this pathway for our small business. This idea quickly grew into a pop up tea shop participating in both local WNC weekly markets and large festivals throughout the Southeast. Our online following soon grew as well, and after just 2 short years the business gave us the opportunity we always dreamed up – our own creation fully supporting both of us and giving us the freedom we desired to work, play, and be happy.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
For us, there were many learning curves and still to this day we face challenges of the unknown. Neither Ricky or I had formal business backgrounds. My degree is B.S Environmental Studies and Ricky worked most of his life in kitchens. So starting our own business from scratch came with a lot of self taught educational courses that were done when we realized we needed another skill to move forward. From taxes, accounting, label design, sourcing, purchasing, scheduling, production, marketing, and so much more, we are always learning and growing along the way. Each struggle provides us with a way to learn to become better business owners and streamline our methods.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Nestled in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, we draw inspiration from our region’s breathtaking biodiversity and our transformative travels around the world. The rich tea traditions found across the globe deepened our passion for premium organic teas and the timeless ritual of tea drinking. Appalachian DiviniTEA is the combination of our passion for tea paired with our desire to share herbal and holistic wellness practices to help you nourish your mind, body, and spirit with every sip. Our organic tea blends are handcrafted with intention in small batches to ensure freshness and quality. We use 100% certified organic teas and herbs in all our blends, and locally foraged mushrooms when possible. Our specialty lies in herbal teas and mushroom teas, crafted with traditional wisdom and modern wellness practices. Whether you’re looking to boost your immunity, relax after a long day, or support overall vitality, our blends are designed with your well-being in mind. In addition to our signature herbal creations, we offer a curated selection of premium organic white tea, green tea, black tea, pu’erh tea, and oolong tea to suit every palate. Each tea is a celebration of the rich history of tea culture intertwined with modern holistic insights.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I love how much support there is for local small businesses in Asheville. There are so many markets where we can sell our teas to our community, and opportunities to collaborate with others.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://appalachiandivinitea.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/appalachiandivinitea
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AppalachianDivinitea/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/appalachian-divinitea/
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/appalachiandivinitea/
