“We hope to inspire as many people as possible to become avid tea lovers and enjoy more social benefits one cup at a time, bringing ancient traditions to life.”
Osobelle Tea aspires to “bring tranquility, peace, and joy by sipping tea one cup at a time,” a small business run by a passionate woman, answering her personal calling.
Meet Osob from Osobelle
Osob, a woman grounded in tradition and a mother of four, came to Canada from East Africa in her early teens. Her education started with a degree in biological technology, with a focus on food chemistry. After nearly two decades of corporate experience, she decided to transform her personal connection with tea and create her own business.
Corporate turned Tea Blends
Osob is well versed in the business world. She has 18 years of corporate experience in various positions and titles, with over 12 years of leadership positions in the not-for-profit sector. She continued to educate herself by taking additional business and technology courses, all of which now enables Osob to use her experience to transform “Osobelle Tea’s vision to reality.”
A cup of tea from childhood
Osob grew up around tea culture thanks to her mother. She’d spent her childhood watching her mother host afternoon teas for her friends in their village, blending teas with aromatic herbs. Osob learned that tea had a lot to offer, “benefits of antioxidants, and social benefits that help combat the rising crises of mental health.” She took a moment to reflect on the afternoons of tea with her mother and friends, “we often caught the laughter while we sipped tea next to each other.”
Tea is more than a hot beverage, it provides an avenue to build a community, and an invitation to pause and engage in meaningful conversations.
Overcoming Small Business Challenges
Osob creates her own vision boards, and she ensures that her growth is organic and reflects what she’s carefully curated within those boards.
As the founder of Osobelle Tea, Osob’s responsibilities encompass a variety of aspects from her professional background, she seeks new partnerships, ensures that daily operations are “the stepping stones towards the company’s strategic development,” and focusing on the businesses sales and marketing strategies.
Being a small business owner and entrepreneur is no easy feat, “many times, there is the fear of failure, but I typically silence it with courage and excitement of celebrating success however big and small.”
When Osob needs an additional push or trustworthy feedback, she relies on her network of her family and friends – having a support system is crucial.
Habits for Success
Small business owners spend a lot of time focusing on growing their business, it’s important to continue fostering the relationships of those within your support system. Building habits for success and getting through the tough days is so important, for Osob it’s, “Regular workouts, yoga, and as many walks as possible – doubling down on relationships.”
Setting Her Tea’s Apart from the Rest
Osob ethically sources teas from around the world, but her signature blend is made with the highest grade of whole leaf tea from Kenya – making it more than just a cup of tea.
This blend originates from her mother, it’s a blend of her childhood and who she is now as a mother and an entrepreneur. This signature blend connects Osob to some of her key roots, it’s “carefully blended with aromatic organic herbs.” You can’t get a blend with this kind of meaning and connection anywhere else.
Beyond her signature creation, Osob brings something extraordinary to the tea market: purple tea. Grown in the highlands of Kenya, this rare variety captures the unique interplay of altitude, ancient soils, and climate, delivering a one-of-a-kind experience in every cup. Together, these blends reflect Osob’s passion for crafting teas that honour heritage while offering something uniquely special.
The Interconnectedness of Tea and Wellness
Osob says that “tea can never be a template to all days and all hours, it has added benefits to explore depending on the needs and the mood.”
Their slogan is, “Osobelle Tea, you are my cup of tea, day and night!”
Their South African Rooibos Tea is the perfect example of a high-quality tea that’s naturally decaffeinated. Osobelle Tea hopes to make tea options accessible by “providing high quality whole leaf teas, naturally caffeine free without any decaffeination process.”
Meaningful Inspiration
Osob has a deep connection with her friends and family, so who better to try new blends with? “I make a pot at home and carefully study the mood of the crowd,” she brings people together with her tea and learns from their reactions.
She provides them with a small questionnaire to determine the more ‘technical’ aspects of the tea tastings – to see how the tea felt on their palates, and if they felt relaxed, energetic, etc.
By getting the opinions of those she cares about, she can further develop her business with care and meaningful connection to these new blends.
The Perfect Blend of Partnerships
When it comes to logistics and packaging, Osob prides herself “as local all the way,” as she’s based out of Burlington, Ontario.
Partnering with small businesses in the Burlington area is always special to us at Rootree, it’s incredible to see those in our community start their own small businesses, and if it means we get to help them along their journeys then it’s an incredible win for us.
Teas done Sustainably
“We believe in local support and are proud that Osobelle Tea packages are made within Burlington and not from 1000 miles away,” Osob strives to evolve her packaging until it’s fully aligned with her business’s sustainability goals.
She ensures that her teas are packaged in biodegradable sachets, and we’re so happy to help Osob get closer to her goals of sustainability.
Some advice from Osob
When Osob was asked what the best piece of advice she learned and where it came from, she proudly answered “her kids!”
“They continuously remind me to take good care of my body, exercise and hydrate. They also created my selfcare schedule,” Osob’s favourite piece of advice came from non-entrepreneurs.
At Rootree, we’ve hitched our wagon to Osob’s journey, and rightly so. It’s a rare privilege to help build something so deeply rooted in purpose and passion. As she brings her vision to life, we’re reminded of the simple truth: the best things in this life are crafted with care, shared with others, and savoured slowly.