Today we’d like to introduce you to Aleathia Saleem and Mariyah Sabir.
When Aleathia, one of the owners of Jayida Che’, was raising her children, she had to be the ultimate healer because, like many American households, her children suffered from childhood illnesses like ear infections, colds and coughs, asthma, and the normal bumps and bruises that children often get. Using traditional medicine was concerning because it repeatedly caused adverse side effects. So, she sought alternative, natural remedies and preventive methods. One of those methods was having a wholesome eating habit and serving healing drinks instead of sugary drinks. Those healing drinks were natural herbal teas and homemade tonics.
Aleathia’s niece, Mariyah, was intrigued with how her aunt and family helped her to heal from asthma and ongoing bronchial challenges. She bonded with her and as an adult reminder her aunt of a goal she shared with her when she was providing her amazing healing techniques. She asked, “When will you open that tea shop you talked about when I was a child?”. On one of their traveling excursions, they visited various tea shops. The dream of a tea shop became real.
Aleathia was one that inspired and taught young people to follow what soothes them. She said she had to be one that followed her own advice. Step one was to put the vision and dream to pen and paper. She crafted a business plan, determined tea blends, shared blends with family and friends at tea tastings, sought sources of organic herbal teas, and started to save for the special day that she would be able to open that desired tea spot.
Mariyah, a former restaurant manager, supported her aunt’s vision, became a partner and Aleathia left a job she loved to answer her calling. They formed the unique aunty-niece business partnership and they have built their “Good Tea” business on love of goodness in doing what helps others, teaches others, and an opportunity to build a business and positively impact their family legacy.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The learning curve is real! Investing in and starting a business has its bumps as one learns to navigate the industry. The first challenge and real eye-opener was finding a location. Over and over again, we visited business after business, plaza after plaza, so many facilities seeking to rent a building. Many property owners did not want to risk renting to an unknown and a new, budding business.
We are grateful to Endulge Cupcake owners for taking the risk. It has been a grand introduction to the business. As a new business owner, we have challenges of trying to avoid burnout. We are the go-to person when there are questions or problems. It is not like going to a job where there is someone that holds almost every position. In your own small business, in addition to managing the business, keeping stock, building the brand, building the website, designing publicity packages, and providing the products, you are the one that must also bus tables, scrub toilets, restock, and the like. The good thing is that we are able to love it and enjoy what we are doing.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Jayida Ché Herbal Tea Spot story. Tell us more about the business.
Our goal is to do more than just make another cup of a tea; we aim to make a better cup of tea. That starts with using good ingredients and setting the experience that we give as amazing, good, genuine, and memorable. We use fresh and organic products to blend our teas and to sweeten our teas with. Whenever you sip in with us your tea is served on tray with a teapot, organic cane sugar or truffles, and creamer. We are known for our specially blended teas and lemonades and their quirky names. Our customers enjoy learning about better health, understanding how to connect to traditions that our ancestors used on a regular basis, and they love that Jayida Chè is there to offer good tea.
We are proud that we are doing just what we set out to do, and the community is embracing and accepting us with joy and good cheer. We are most proud that we are setting an example for others who want to take the leap of faith and start a business. We are proud that in a community where so many are affected with illnesses and failing health, that we are helping people learn how to be more healthy.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
We feel fortunate and understand a lot of things happen because of factors like persistence, God for sure, and planning; but we believe that things happen for a reason and not based on luck. Looking back now we are fortunate that the other locations we inquired about consistently turned us down for various reasons. If they hadn’t we probably would have been more stressed from being new business owners and trying to build a loyal customer base. However, things fell in place when we connected with Patrice and Cherita. Due to the obstacles they experienced when building Endulge Cupcake Boutique impacted how they received us, responded to us, and treated us has been a blessing for us. From their experience, they were able to understand our vision and help us on our journey. When we went to them with honesty, offering fairness, and mutually beneficial terms to share the space with them. They said, “Yes!” What a blessing and perfect match up indulgent cupcakes and good tea.
Pricing:
- A cup of tea costs as low as $2.50 for small (12 oz.) and $3.50 for large (16 oz)
- A pot of tea ranges from $7 (small 12oz), $11 (medium 20oz ), and $14 (large 30oz).
- 2 ounces of our loose leaf teas range from $7-$14
Contact Info:
- Address: 749 Moreland Ave Suite A-101 Atlanta, Ga 30316
- Website: jayidache.com
- Phone: 4044244069
- Email: jayidache@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayidacheteaspot/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jayidacheherbaltea/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/jayida-ch%C3%A9-tea-spot-atlanta
Image Credit:
Hassan Threats
Immaculate Lens Photography
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
