Community Highlights: Meet Lisa Lindsay of FruiTea Bubbles Café

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Lindsay.

Hi Lisa, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
FruiTea Bubbles Café was founded by Lisa Lindsay on January 15, 2022—symbolically opening on Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a celebration of new beginnings and community. Rooted in her British-Caribbean heritage and passion for creative drinks, Lisa envisioned blending two rich traditions—British-Caribbean and Asian—into a unique tea experience. Raised in a family that cherished daily tea time, she began mixing flavorful concoctions early on, evolving from casual get-togethers with friends to highly sought-after creations at parties and community events.
Today, FruiTea Bubbles Café is proudly woman- and minority-owned, recognized with multiple honors including Cobb Chamber’s 2024 Woman-Owned Business of the Year and 2025 Minority-Owned Business of the Year, as well as Cobb County’s Top 25 Small Businesses Award and national recognition through Syracuse University’s ’CUSE50 Alumni Entrepreneur Award.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The journey of building FruiTea Bubbles Café has been rewarding, but far from smooth. Like many entrepreneurs, I faced challenges balancing vision with resources. Launching in the midst of shifting consumer behaviors after COVID-19 meant navigating supply chain delays, staffing shortages, and rapidly rising costs of goods. In the early days, managing operations with limited capital while establishing a new brand identity was daunting.
Staffing was another hurdle—finding and training team members who could reflect the hospitality and cultural warmth of the brand required patience and persistence. At times, it meant stepping in to do everything myself—from mixing drinks and working shifts to marketing, bookkeeping, and negotiating with vendors. A major turning point came last year when I left a long career in corporate program management to step fully into entrepreneurship. The transition was both exciting and challenging—shifting from the security of a steady career to the risks and responsibilities of business ownership required courage, faith, and resilience. Managing cash flow, building the right leadership team, and refining operations were all part of the steep learning curve.
Despite the bumps, each challenge reinforced resilience and adaptability. Support from community partners, recognition through awards, and strong customer loyalty helped sustain momentum. Every struggle has also shaped clearer systems, stronger leadership, and a sharper growth strategy. I now view the difficulties not as setbacks, but as stepping stones that strengthened both me as a leader and FruiTea Bubbles Café as a business.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
FruiTea Bubbles Café is a woman- and minority-owned beverage brand blending British-Caribbean traditions with Asian bubble tea culture. Founded in 2022, we specialize in handcrafted bubble teas, lemonades, smoothies, light bites, bottled beverages, and sweet treats—all served in a vibrant, Caribbean-inspired atmosphere that celebrates culture, creativity, and community.

We’re known for our hospitality and personal attention through customization, creating a space where customers feel welcomed and connected. What sets us apart is our fusion of cultural flavors and commitment to inclusivity, offering fun, uniquely-crafted drinks that appeal to diverse tastes and age groups.

Brand-wise, we’re most proud of being recognized as Cobb Chamber’s 2024 Woman-Owned Business of the Year, 2025 Minority-Owned Business of the Year, and Top 25 Small Business of the Year, as well as a ’CUSE50 Alumni Entrepreneur Award honoree—affirmations of our impact and growth.

At our core, FruiTea Bubbles Café is more than a tea shop—it’s a community hub that partners with local schools, churches, and organizations while expanding through mobile units, pop-ups, and private events. We want readers to know our brand stands for diversity, quality, and connection, offering a refreshing alternative that brings people together for Tea Time.

We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Most people don’t know that before opening FruiTea Bubbles Café, I spent over 20 years in corporate program management. My career was all about technology and business strategy—but my heart was always in mixing and crafting drinks. Today, I get to blend corporate precision with cultural creativity, one drink at a time.

Pricing:

• Circle 16 – $40/month
• Circle 24 – $45/month
• Circle 32 – $50/month

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.fruiteabubblescafe.com
• Instagram: https://www.instragram.com/fruiteabubblescafe
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/FruiTea-Bubbles-Caf%C3%A9-100075123513323/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/fruiteabubblescafe

Image Credits
Orlando Evans, Damon Peebles, Lindsay Lavelanet, Nicole Fracachan