Owner pours heart into Wheaton tea business
Small business owner Sarine Crotteau realizes that she sets the tone and the atmosphere for her business on a daily basis. She knows the importance of her role.
Crotteau, with a bubbly personality, believes it's important that she create an friendly, energetic environment at her retail shop. It seems to be working, as she is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of her business, Serene Teaz, a tea bar and retail shop at 221 W. Front St. in Wheaton.
After spending more than 20 years in the corporate world, she sees big differences in what she is doing now. "At the tea shop, everyone really wants to be here. It's a different atmosphere," she said. Her customers bring an energy to the shop as well, as they are usually people who want to take care of themselves and their health.
After leaving her job as a purchasing manager, Crotteau, now 51, was looking for a different career. She considered various options with her husband and took a part-time job at Penzey's Spices in Naperville while deciding.
During her first day on the job, a customer asked if they sold loose tea. Another employee responded, "no, but someone should."
That short question sparked the idea for her business just over a decade ago. And soon after, Crotteau launched her loose tea business on Hall Street in Wheaton. After four and a half years, she lost her lease and expanded to her current location about 100 feet down the street.
For about four years, she ran a shop in Elmhurst, but said that one wasn't growing like it needed to and she placed all her attention on Wheaton.
When she started, she offered about 40 loose teas. She now has more than 130. Popular right now is the Winter Solstice, a peppermint white tea, as well as the Hawaiian Mimosa, which she says is selling off the shelf. The Almond Cookie, a flavored black tea, smells like a cookie in your cup, is another hot pick. The teas range in price from $5 for a 2-ounce bag to $30 for some 16-ounce bags. A 2-ounce bag makes between 20 and 25 cups. Crotteau said running the tea shop and online operation has been a good fit. "I have never had a cup of coffee," she says with a laugh.
Growing a small business has had it's obstacles. The biggest challenge has been employees. "Finding people to put their heart and passion into the business can be tough," she said.
A big change she has seen has been the competition, said Crotteau, who lives in Glen Ellyn with her husband, Bob. She points out that Starbucks has gotten into the tea business as well as many smaller stores.
"We love to educate people and we teach classes," she said. "It's all about the customer." As warmer temperatures approach, she is hoping that tea can be just as popular in the summer with ice tea options.
Caterer garners awards
My Chef Catering of Naperville has received the two most prestigious online wedding awards in the catering industry for 2015.
The Knot said that My Chef Catering has won the prestigious 2015 Best of Weddings Award and has been elected into their Hall of Fame. And the Wedding Wire announced that My Chef Catering has been selected for the 2015 Couple's Choice Award.
Loan secured
Northbrook-based Big Shoulders Capital, in conjunction with a joint venture partner, sourced and closed a one-year asset-backed loan of $1.2-million for a transportation company located in the Northeast.
The loan was secured by the company's fleet of motor coaches and buses. Big Shoulders Capital funded the loan in an accelerated manner, and has been asked by the borrower to lend against additional new collateral.
"One of the differentiating characteristics of our company is creativity," said Big Shoulders Vice President Alex Mazer.
Food trucks going everywhere with world-class cuisine
Naperville-based Carlin Manufacturing and Kitchens To Go, providers of mobile and modular temporary kitchen production and ancillary support facilities, announced it has delivered a state of the art mobile unit to the University of California, San Diego.
The 20-foot Carlin mobile kitchen, aptly named "Flavors of the World," features a rotating menu of international cuisine, specifically focusing on micro-regional offerings. With students' increased exposure and expectations relative to authenticity of global fare, this truck will enable UCSD Dining Services to accommodate their student population's desire for accessibility to these types of menu offerings.
Several elements were incorporated into the design to ensure it would be as efficient, interactive and enjoyable as possible, both for the students, faculty and staff customers. Key components include a raised roof along with sky lights as well as a sound system with exterior speakers and PA system will minimize the risk of customers missing or picking up incorrect orders.
• Kim Mikus covers small business. Contact her with tips at kmikus@dailyherla.com.