Phuong and Viet Le
As many of you know, Phuong Le has joined Chic Galleria.com as a Contributing Editor. Phuong is such an incredible asset to our team and her expertise in health, wellness and the culinary field lends itself to some fabulous articles. I interviewed Phuong and her brother Viet so that you would be familiar with their business, ONO Tea and all they have to offer.
Can you share a little bit about your business and how you got started?
PHUONG - I am the CEO of ONO Tea. My journey with tea actually began when I was a little girl, watching Mom infuse loose tea to create amazing culinary dishes and delicious drinks. She always added fresh ginger, ginseng, and fruits to tea, so I thought everybody brewed tea this way.
Our family has been using loose tea for ages. I didn't start embracing all the benefits until I moved from Detroit to Maui in 06. While living on Maui, I was in search of healthier ways of living and ways to include what my family has taught me into my daily life. I really started paying attention to the different perspectives on tea and how little people knew about tea. I realized that loose tea was rarely served and low quality, flavorless tea bags were in the norm. I asked Mom to send me some loose teas along with a couple of her special recipes. I started experimenting with blending the pure loose teas with fruits and herbs. The outcome was just like I remembered, incredible and delicious. I started giving my unique blends to my family and friends.
A few weeks after I started creating my own blends, I walked through a bookstore on Maui and randomly came across an article that advertised the World Tea Expo in Atlanta. It seemed like fate, as if I was destined to nurture and pursue my tea passion. I called my brother, Viet, and after a little convincing, he agreed to walk the exhibit floor with me. Viet helped shape brands such as Ferrari, Quaker State, Minute Maid and Pixar by creating online advertising campaigns. He has transcended traditional branding and marketing techniques to new and outstanding levels. Viet is the perfect person to make ONO Tea become a modern and innovative success.
VIET - I am the Chief Creative Officer and Vice-President of ONO Tea. For generations, my family has consisted of hard working entrepreneurs. This business started with a phone call from my sister, who at the time was living on Maui, HI. When Phuong asked me to start a tea company with her, my initial reaction was very hesitant. I felt that the "island fever" may have gotten to her, since she wanted to leave Maui for Detroit. At the time, most people were leaving Detroit, and here she was wanting to return. I did an in depth research on the tea industry, and found that no one was coming close to exploring the potential of the tea world. I too felt the desire to share my family knowledge of tea, tea traditions, and the health benefits of tea to everyone. I, along with my sister, wanted to become the entrepreneur that my parents had raised us. I agreed to fly to Georgia for the World Tea Expo with my sister and the rest is history.
Where do you draw inspiration for your products?
VIET- While researching the tea industry, I realized how confusing it could be to select the right tea. Every company was selling and marketing tea in the exact same way. During a brainstorming session following the WTE, Phuong and I created ONO Lifestyle Teas. Our premium teas are solely targeted towards consumer specific lifestyles. We wanted to really allow the consumer to identify with our product and the easiest way to do that is to make a concept that they can really understand. Some of our tea collections include; Real Men Drink Tea, Creative Genius, Beauty, Teas for Tots. This creative and unique angle makes the process of selecting the perfect tea easier for the consumer and hasn't been touched yet in the tea industry.
Describe your best selling items?
Simply Slim: Losing weight is all about maintaining a healthy diet and increasing your metabolism. Polyphenols found in black and oolong tea work as a fat destroying enzyme, ginger helps with digestion, and ginger-peach is a perfect pairing. Control your cravings and burn fat with this delicious organic blend.
Antioxidant Junkie: A delicate blend of green and red rooibos to give you the maximum kick of antioxidant power. In addition, a powerful combination of ginseng root and linden blossoms are added to reduce stress and increase mental awareness. Rooibos has also been found to be rich in anti-oxidants and minerals (iron, potassium, calcium, copper, zinc, magnesium, fluoride, manganese, and sodium) and has 50 times more SOD than Green Tea. S.O.D. (Super Oxidant Dismutase), which acts as an anti-oxidant agent, keeps free radicals in the body in check.
Artisan and Modern Mugs: These stunning 14 oz, heat resistant (stove, dishwasher and microwave safe) glass mugs with infusers make the perfect cup of tea anytime. They are both great for individual servings but the Modern Mug can also be used as a teapot. Sit back and relax as you watch the leaves swirl and infuse a delicious cup of ONO tea.
What are your plans for the future?
Our goal is to create a world of tea, break the idea that tea is just a beverage, and make tea fun and exciting for everyone. We want to build a strong online community by educating people on everything tea related. We'll be teaching people about other uses of tea and how it can benefit them and their future.
This is what we have slated for 2009:
- Online viral campaigns
- Online educational series that will be in video. This will cover everything from the origins of tea to fun tea tips.
- Online cooking series with tea
- Using tea in beauty products such as skincare.
- The Tea Chick blog www.TheTeaChick.com. Phuong will blog about healthy living - all related to tea.
Visit www.ILoveONO.com. |
