The Tea Spout Tea Company LLC | Application Preview
The Tea Spout Tea Company LLC, led by founder April Benson, is seeking government grant funding for marketing, leaseholder improvements, and to stabilize cash flow, enabling the opening of a second location. April's journey to success is inspiring; after overcoming personal challenges, including a history of alcoholism and time in prison due to a DWI, she established The Tea Spout & Matcha Bar in 2014. The establishment has evolved into a community hub, offering not just tea, but also a variety of events like workshops and book clubs.
Despite having dedicated her resources to the business without drawing a salary, April has faced financial struggles exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The grant would allow her to cover overdue bills, pay herself a salary, rehire staff, enhance the business's online presence, and empower her employee to take on a managerial role. April emphasizes her commitment to outstanding customer service and community building as key aspects of her competitive advantage, differentiating her from local competitors, including Starbucks and other tea shops. She is hopeful that with this support, The Tea Spout will continue to grow and thrive.
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General Information
Business Registration Number: 46-5568051
Location: El Paso, TX, United States
Length of Operation: 5.5
Number of Employees:
Annual Gross Income:
Annual Gross Expense:
Open to Loans: NO
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Funding Usage
Marketing, leaseholder improvements and a stable cashflow that I may be allowed to start receiving and income and possibly open a second location
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Business Plan
By expanding throughout my community and creating a franchise model. My name is April Benson and I am the sole owner of The Tea Spout Tea Company LLC dba The Tea Spout & Matcha Bar and it is one of my greatest successes in life. I am a recovering alcoholic and in 2012 I spent 15 months in prison for a felony DWI. Upon my release, the first 2 years I was on parole followed by another 3 years of probation and I was unemployable. It is not something I have been willing to share until now. During the disaster of COVID-19, I have received overwhelming support from my staff and customers (aka Teaspouters) and I didn’t realize the impact my dedication to customer service had on my community until my business was in trouble. Today I am proud of who I am, what I’ve accomplished and how I got here. While in prison, my father passed away and left me a small amount of money so I took a big leap of faith and against all odds decided to open my own business. Here is our story. During my quest for medicinal herbs, I came across loose leaf tea and fell in love. After immersing myself into the community of tea, I became a Certified Tea Expert and spent the next 8 months setting up shop. That was September of 2014. The Tea Spout & Matcha Bar began as a place to purchase loose leaf tea, drinks, and steeping accessories but over the years grew into what is is today; a place to have lunch and tea with friends, study, meet colleagues for a meeting, or just sit at the counter and chat with myself and my team ( I employ 5 part-time employees). We also host an array of events including Tea 101 workshops, book clubs, open mic nights, and private tea parties. Additionally we wholesale to local restaurants, and run a full service website (theteaspoutusa.com). I have still not been able to start paying myself a salary and up until the end of February I have been able to support myself with alimony. Thus far, I have put every penny that comes in back into the business. When I receive this grant I plan on using the funds to pay the bills I will be behind on during the hardship of COVID-19, pay myself for March, rehire my staff, improve my website, and promote my right hand employee to manager so that I can focus on the many income generating ideas that I have not had time in the past to even consider. Upon reopening my hope is that The Tea Spout will be bigger and better than ever! Thank you for your consideration, April Benson, Founder The Tea Spout Tea Company
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Self Identified Competition
My business model is like no other in El Paso, Texas but if I had to compare it would be Starbucks with over the top customer service (I have person relationship with all of my "Teaspouters"), events, workshops, and private tea parties. Other local tea hangouts include Tippi Teas and Kinley's Teahouse however they also do not provide events, workshops, and private parties. My detail to providing a community, family atmosphere.
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Contact Applicant
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