[quote style=”boxed”]I watch an episode of Frazier every night because I know I’m going to laugh out loud and that is a great way to end any day.[/quote]
Lynn Higgin is the Founder, President and ‘Chief Bitch Officer’ of Crazy Bitch Tea, LLC. She is also the creator of the herbal Infusion that is Crazy Bitch Tea, a tea created to help women find their ‘calm’.
Lynn is originally from New York, but resides in New Mexico with her husband Randy and their daughter-dog Gracie. Prior to becoming an entrepreneur, she has had a vast background in marketing, accounting and sales. In 1996 she was co-owner of an espresso shop called Chocolates, Etc, making homemade chocolates and pastries. That endeavor did not last that long, and she returned to the grind of 9-5 office work. But it would take a few more years before she would be bitten by the entrepreneurial bug.
In 2003 she became ill due to a prescription medication that caused internal bleeding and was hospitalized for several days. During that time, she knew she faced a bleak future of doctors and more medications. She decided to seek out an alternative health practitioner, and over time she began feeling healthier than ever before! She decided to work in the holistic health field, and went to school for Wholistic Kinesiology, as well as becoming certified as an Herbalist. She had a practice for several years, but felt she wanted to do more. Learning about how herbs affect the body, mind and emotions fascinated Lynn. She contemplated furthering her education and getting a degree in Herbalism.
But things would take an entirely different direction.
It was a chance conversation between her sister-in-law Robin Foley (now co-founder of Crazy Bitch Tea) that would change both their lives. Robin would frequently contact Lynn for health advice, and one day, after a rather daunting and stressful day, she called and asked Lynn, half jokingly “what can I take to stop feeling like a Crazy Bitch”? They laughed at the thought of actually having something women could take for those many moments, but it wasn’t until almost 10 months later that they put the idea into action, and Crazy Bitch Tea was born. A Tea made for woman to go from Bitch to Bliss, but also a message that it’s okay to claim your inner bitch, with pride!
What are you working on right now?
We are working on getting Crazy Bitch Tea out to the masses of women everywhere, through both retailers and online. Our goal is to bring our story of ‘being who you are, crazy bitch or empowering woman’ to all. We are also working on ideas for future teas, but for now our focus is on marketing our Original Blend of tea.
Where did the idea for crazy bitch tea come from?
First and foremost, we knew the name HAD to be Crazy Bitch Tea. That we would never change. We loved that it was so far out of the box and women would love it. It’s a ‘call to arms’ for women everywhere! As an herbalist, I wanted to use my knowledge in that area to create a tea that would include an awesome and great tasting infusion of herbs designed to bring calmness to women. We wanted it to have a clean, rich taste-and a soothing effect. We make no medicinal claims on the tea, other than letting women know that we understand that ‘feeling like a Crazy Bitch’ is the universal language of women, and we want to be that ‘blanket of comfort’ for them to go to when needed. The name and our story would resonate, and the taste and calming effect would bring them back. Our goal is to go global!
What does your typical day look like?
I usually wake up and start with a big glass of water. Then I have a cup of coffee, healthy breakfast followed by a cup or two of tea over the course of the morning. I turn on my computer, check emails, facebook and twitter. Do a bit of social online networking. For now, I am in charge of tea-bag stuffing so I usually spend some mornings at the local brewery where I package my tea. I touch base with my sister-in-law about thoughts and ideas that are always popping in my head at all hours of the day and night. If I’m not covering one of my part-time shifts at Starbucks (yes, I’m a working-prenuer), then I usually will go back online and do one of the things I love to do best. Research! I love to watch videos of some of my mentors, or reading blogs or articles about the tea industry or business/finance industry. I also love to check out potential places to introduce our tea-locations, retailers etc. and discuss them with my Sales Director. I love to get out and visit stores and shops and talk about my tea. I also frequent local tea shops and see what others have to offer. I find it important to educate myself in all areas of business (and tea) that I can! And I like to end my day (at least 3-4 days per week) with a workout/run. I also like to sneak in at least 10-15 minutes of mediation whenever possible.
How do you bring your ideas to life?
I have many seeds planted ‘in my head’, and then usually write them down. It may be an idea on how to market my tea, or maybe a different tea product or maybe a video shoot that I want to do. I usually will send out an email to my team and field out the responses. One thing I ALWAYS do is to follow my gut when it comes to new ideas. Then the researching begins! 🙂
What’s one trend that really excites you?
I am so excited that so many people are moving forward with ideas that are out of the box (like ours ). I see lots of people ditching the 9-5 job and creating their dream career. It seems like it’s happening now more than ever. And it doesn’t matter if you are 18 or 80! People seem to be going for it. Finding their passion and going for it. It’s hard work, but it’s fantastic!
What was the worst job you ever had, and what did you learn from it?
I would have to say that working in a call center was probably the worst experience I ever had. The employees were treated poorly, and the turn-around was constant. What I learned from that, was how not to treat people that work with you or for you. I learned how valuable it is to treat the people that are helping you build your company with respect and that their thoughts, actions and opinions are as vital to the growth of a company as your own.
If you were to start over again, what would you do differently?
I’d have to say not one thing! It has been an incredibly learning experience. I feel good about every step.
As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you would do over and over and recommend everyone else do?
Talk about Crazy Bitch Tea to everyone I meet! And keep samples and business cards on hand at all times. Be your own PR! Express you passion:)
What is the one failure you’ve had as an entrepreneur and how did you overcome it?
I wouldn’t really consider this a failure, but I’m not the most organized person and I had to learn how to become a very organized person. This is still a work in progress. I’ve had to learn how to become a business person without much knowledge in that area, but every step has been worth it and I’ve come so far! I have an amazing contact list of people that I am not afraid to call when I need advice or help in any area.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
I had come up with this idea to create a business called Jus’ Brownies-and make dozens of brownies in various flavors that no one else had. It was just about the time when websites were starting to get big, and I saw it as a potential online business. At the time I was a professional baker, and thought I would be going in that direction. I love brownies!
If you could change one thing in the world what would it be, and how would you go about doing it?
I would love to see people spread more kindness and compassion to each other. I always like to say that no matter how bad a day you might be having, please be kind to everyone you come in contact with because you never know what they are going through. I think if that just starts with one person and paid forward it could change the world
Tell us a secret!
When I’m having a particularly stressful and emotional day, I sleep with my teddy bear.
What are your three favorite online tools or resources and what do you love about them?
Facebook, because if you really know how to use it effectively, it can really help build your business and your contacts!
Twitter, because you can connect with people that you may not have any other way to access.
Plan to Start, because it is the online source for start-up businesses. It is run by Amanda Frazier and she blogs about everything you need to know and if you don’t see something you can email her directly and she will respond with the answer.
What is the one book you would recommend our community should read and why?
I absolutely love the book The Purple Cow by Seth Godin. A must read for any entrepreneur at any level of success!
Three people we should watch on twitter and why?
Seth Godin – best quotes/advice on how to be successful and why it’s a GOOD thing to be the stand out!
Amanda Frazier – best articles/blogs on start-up businesses in layman’s terms.
Entreprenuer Magazine – best magazine in print and online to keep up on the latest businesses bar none.
When was the last time you laughed out loud? What caused it?
I watch an episode of Frazier every night because I know I’m going to laugh out loud and that is a great way to end any day.
Who is your hero?
Ann Curry (journalist). I read an article about her once, where she said every morning when she wakes up, she is filled with gratitude about how much she loves what she does every day. Bringing news to the world. Doing something that matters. She inspired me to aim for that.
From your perspective, what is the most important thing in creating a successful business?
A strong team! Guy Kawasaki once said ‘Hire people who are as smart or smarter than you’. To have a brilliant team created where everyone is an expert in the area that is needed, and also believe 100 percent in the company, product and vision. Crazy Bitch Tea is a force that I want to acknowledge, right now, by name. Robin Foley, my Co-Founder/Creative Director (the original Crazy Bitch☺.). Ashley Flitter, our Marketing Director aka Chief Tea Liberator. Christopher Padilla, our Developer/Media Analyst. and Keith Sillivent, our viral-video phenom and his actual title is ‘The Spokesdude’. Best.Team.Ever. I’m incredibly blessed.
How do you stay balanced, motivated and focused?
I think about the alternative, of going back to 9-5. And also what I have to offer-my passion, product and company mission! I am on the right path-I can feel it strongly! And I won’t give up. That’s what keeps me motivated. I also spend at least 15 minutes a day meditating, to stay grounded when things get a bit chaotic. My focus improves 100% when I take the time to do that.
Connect:
Crazy Bitch Tea’s Website:
Lynn Higgin on LinkedIn: Lynn Higgin
Crazy Bitch Tea on Twitter:
Crazy Bitch Tea on Facebook:
Mario Schulzke is the Founder of ideamensch, which he started a decade ago to learn from entrepreneurs and give them a platform for their ideas.