How do I know? Because I’ve been there, too.
Nine years ago, I started my online tea business, Humming Cup Tea, fueled by a passion for sharing sustainable, high-quality tea that encourages people to slow down and care for themselves. Like so many business owners, I invested in branding, created a website, and was excited to “go live.” But after pressing "Activate," crickets.
So I hired agencies, tried posting on Instagram, listened to social media advice, and even fell for an "influencer" who promised to boost my followers. Spoiler alert: it didn’t work. My account got banned because he was using fake bots to grow following.
I went through the struggle, the endless cycle of social media posts, and every trick in the book. I burned out, spent money on quick fixes, and learned some hard lessons.
And that’s when I made a decision: if I was going to make this work, I needed to truly understand marketing. I enrolled in a digital marketing certification program and dived deep.
The pieces finally came together. I turned my tea business around, partnered with reputable companies, and landed a spot on QVC.
But the most important lesson I learned was this: marketing isn’t about flashy sales tactics. It’s about connecting with people.
Iconic marketer Leo Burnet was right: "What help people, helps business"
I truly believe that the most effective marketing is about building relationships. It’s about understanding your audience and putting people first—even in this digital age. Real connection is your superpower as a small business owner, and it’s what will help you stand out in a world full of AI and endless content.
When you work with me, here’s what you can expect:
- Focus on Real Connection – Delight your customers and build a brand they love.
- No Wasted Effort – Stop throwing time and money at marketing tactics that don’t serve you or your business.
- Quality Over Quantity – I’m against fake followers, bots, and purchased email lists. Engaged, raving fans are far more valuable.
- Long-Term Strategy – Let’s create a sustainable brand that stands the test of time.
- Leverage Technology – I’ll introduce you to user-friendly tools that make marketing easy, effective, and affordable even if you are not tech-savvy.
- Balance and Well-being – Your business should serve you, not drain you. I’m here to help you create success without burnout.
Starting a business is exhilarating, and I’m thrilled that you’ve taken this brave step. It may take time to see the full fruits of your labor, but as Warren Buffet says, “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.”
If you’re reading this, remember I’m here cheering you on every step of the way.
You’ve got this!
Jazeera,
marketing coach for business owners & founder Digital Strategy League