Brook Eddy, the founder is based in Boulder, Colorado, is considered in Bhakti Chai this undated handout.
Credit: Reuters/HO/Laurie SmithBy, Deborah l. CohenCHICAGO | Wed Apr 20, 2010 12: 18 pm EDT
CHICAGO (Reuters)-during a tough economic period, businessman Eddy recalls the Brook of mailman for memories, because they were desperate to hands on any outstanding checks from clients. This year the company is set to reach nearly 2 million dollars in sales and is pushing for national distribution for the spicy tea beverages.
"I had a number of the cell, I would like to ask him," said Eddy, the 37-year-old founder and drinks based on the CEO of Boulder, Colorado company Bhakti Chai. "I drive and find it and will give me a stack of checks. I'll copy them open about how the Bank. "
Things have changed a lot from those moments of touch-and-go, 2008. Bhakti Chai has moved to a dedicated production facility outside Boulder and employs 11 staff. Fans of fresh, organic tea drinks include whole foods customers throughout the Rocky Mountain region, as well as those of local coffeehouses and retailers.
It is strange for a project initiated by coincidence with almost no startup capital. During an extended family tour of India in 2002, Eddy fell in love with chai, with ginger, safflower, and other spices sweetened tea drink paired with milk. Got that back home, with her life-including marriage and the birth of twins-and began to experiment with a homebrew version, delivering it in mason jars as gifts.
"We will create a concentrated juice, mixed half and half with milk or soy milk-plain," he said. Not "really was an idea from a business point of view at all. It was something I did. I liked it. "
Since 2006, encouraged by the popularity of the chai personal circle, began selling local cafes, where he became a success. Production moved outside the House rented space on a shared kitchen.
"It was just grass roots mouth," said Eddy, who uses only fresh, fair trade ingredients, including approximately 800 pounds of organic Ginger each week. "Sometimes I Work all night, delivered in six in the morning and go to work for the daily work."
Two years later, with more than 40 regular customers, Eddy had quite the exhausting schedule. This juggling multiple roles as a part-time producer, development officer for women's health center of Boulder Valley and the mother. Despite the impending divorce and the offer of an increase in work, exit and in the tea business full-time.
"I was at a crossroads," he said. "I took the leap of faith".
DEVELOPMENT IS A PAINFUL PROCESS
Development is Bhakti Chai face painful process in the form of cash flow deficiencies such as increasingly accounts in increasing the orders, sometimes taking more than a month to pay. After failing to secure loans from the Bank, Eddy drew on developing skills to drum support for local investors, raising about $ 250,000 in total eventually. This advantage also Boulder enthusiastic network of food entrepreneurs who were willing to help fill the void in business experience by giving freely of their time.
Home made. Whole foods moved the chai beyond coffee stores in Boulder in the refrigerated section of the market. Bhakti Chai was also picked up by United natural foods, a large distributor moved the tea beyond the borders of Colorado for States such as Texas, Wyoming and Arizona. The concentrated juice, available in different sizes and flavors, is also sold online (www.bhaktichai.com). One quart-a container for $ 10.99 at whole foods.
"The space given to that is well deserved. Just got off, "said Tom rich, whole foods grocery Coordinator for the Rocky Mountain region. "When you receive a high quality product, you have to give some attention."
DINONTAS BACK
Call it karma, but Chai Bhakti, which takes its name from the Hindi word first for loyalty through social action, also manages to make significant contributions to charity. Last year we gave away 20 percent of net income into groups, such as the Global Fund for women.
"It is just built on what we are doing on the Web," said Eddy.
Meanwhile, it is focusing on the next phase of development. It recently inked a deal to produce stronger ice cream with chocolate chips and Bhakti Chai with local manufacturer and is preparing to develop a version ready-to-drink product support. Finally, I would like to collaborate with Eddy with strategic partner with generous help fuel expansion.
"I think people will appreciate the product outside the region," he said. "We are the only fresh chai on the market".
Bhakti Chai will become a household name or not remains to be seen.
"Us consumers today are certainly for experimenting with their drinks, try new species," said John Anonymity, editor and publisher of the trade magazine beverage Digest. "But probably it is too early to tell whether this particular category will be successful over time."
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