Today we’d like to introduce you to Adrienne Arrington-Kenion.
Hi Adrienne, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Queen Esther Teas started from a genuine love for tea and a desire to create something that would bring people together while supporting their wellness. What began as a small idea has grown into a thriving local tea business serving our community in Wilmington and beyond.
In the beginning, I was simply sharing my teas with family, friends, and anyone willing to give them a try. As more people discovered the blends and came back for more, I realized there was something special here. I started attending local farmers markets and community events, and those markets truly became a game changer for the business. They gave me the opportunity to connect directly with customers, hear their stories, learn what they were looking for, and build relationships that have continued to grow over the years.
Over the past six years, Queen Esther Teas has continued to evolve. What started small has expanded into loose-leaf teas, specialty beverages, collaborations, pop-ups, markets, and retail partnerships throughout the area. Today, I’m incredibly proud of how far Queen Esther Teas has come, but I’m even more excited about where we’re going.
For me, this journey has always been about more than selling tea. It’s about community, wellness, connection, and creating something that people can genuinely enjoy and make part of their everyday lives. I’m grateful for every customer, market, partnership, and opportunity that has helped Queen Esther Teas become what it is today.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. There have been many challenges along the way, especially learning every aspect of running a business while also knowing when it’s time to ask for help. At the same time, I’m managing a family of six, so finding the right balance between family and business has been an ongoing learning experience.
Working with my husband, Alex, has been one of the fun parts of the journey, but it also requires a lot of communication. He’s truly the salesman behind the business—he’s the one out at the markets, connecting with customers and selling the teas. We each bring different strengths to the business, and learning how to work together has been an important part of our growth.
One of my biggest learning experiences was navigating taxes and business tax filings. It was an expensive, scary, but incredibly important lesson. It taught me that being a business owner isn’t just about creating a great product—you have to understand the financial and administrative side of the business too, and recognize when you need professional help.
Every challenge has taught me something, and while some lessons were definitely harder than others, they’ve all helped me become a better business owner and prepared Queen Esther Teas for the next stage of growth.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Queen Esther Teas is a loose-leaf tea company focused on creating flavorful, intentional tea blends that support wellness while making tea approachable and enjoyable. We specialize in herbal and specialty tea blends, along with handcrafted tea beverages and lemonades. Our teas are designed to be more than just something you drink—they’re an experience and a way to incorporate intentional wellness into everyday life.
We’re known for our unique blends, our personal connection with our customers, and our presence at local farmers markets and community events. A big part of what makes Queen Esther Teas special is that we get to meet our customers face-to-face, learn what they’re looking for, and help them find teas that fit their tastes and lifestyle.
What I’m most proud of is how much Queen Esther Teas has grown while still maintaining that personal, community-centered feeling. What started as a small idea has grown into a business with retail partnerships, markets, pop-ups, collaborations, and customers who have supported us throughout the journey.
I believe what sets us apart is our heart. We’re not trying to be just another tea company. Queen Esther Teas is rooted in community, connection, creativity, and wellness. We care about the experience people have with our products and with our brand. Whether someone discovers us at a farmers market, through one of our retail partners, or online, I want them to feel like they’re becoming part of the Queen Esther Teas family.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
There are so many ways to work with and support Queen Esther Teas! We love collaborating with local businesses, wellness professionals, event organizers, restaurants, and other small businesses. We’re always open to opportunities for pop-ups, tea tastings, private events, tea blending experiences, wellness events, and creative collaborations.
Businesses can also support us by carrying Queen Esther Teas in their shops, restaurants, cafés, or wellness spaces. We love partnering with businesses that want to offer something unique and locally made to their customers.
For customers, one of the best ways to support us is simply to buy the tea, tell a friend, shop with us at a local market, visit one of our retail partners, and share our business on social media. Every purchase, referral, tag, and word-of-mouth recommendation makes a difference.
We’re a small, growing business, and we truly believe that community is a big part of our success. Whether you want to collaborate, carry our products, book us for an event, or simply enjoy a cup of Queen Esther Teas, there’s a place for you in the Queen Esther Teas family!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.QueenEstherTeas.com
- Instagram: @queen_esther_teas
- Facebook: Queen Esther Herbal Teas
- Youtube: @queenestherteas7676
