Brewing a tea business with online finance

This online finance provider was genuinely interested in our business.

Turning my love of tea into a popular business proved the easy bit, but securing the revenue to support a wealth of growth opportunities was another story.

I had been given so many opportunities early on – one with an airline, another to tender for the Commonwealth Games – so many things that I had to say “no” to because I couldn’t afford to supply the stock and wait for the account to be paid in thirty days.

I would go to my banks regularly, and I would fill them in on all the amazing things I’m doing, and all I got was a “no”.

It was a conversation with my car financier that introduced me to small-business online finance lender Prospa.

I said, “Do you trust them?” and he said “Yeah, they’re a really great, reputable company,” and I said, “Well if you trust them, I’ll trust them.”

So he sent me the information and I filled it out.

It was the very next day I got a phone call saying, “Guess what? I’ve got some good news for you, you’ve got your money!” Apart from the fact that obtaining this online finance it was easy, it was personal. From my very first phone call with a customer rep they were really interested and just let me talk all about my business, and that was the big difference.

With the help of that loan I have become the tea supplier for the Sydney Opera House. And with the credibility gained through my partnership with the Sydney Opera House, we have gone from strength to strength, recently signing an export deal with a tea franchise in South Korea, and we’re already looking to borrow again to fund the creation of a sugar-free, tea-based cocktail range.

My ability to capitalise on growth opportunities when the timing was right has taken the business to a whole new level. In the last twelve months we’ve created 50 tea blends for an export opportunity, signed several supply agreements and I’ve secured the exclusive rights for a very cool solution for selling perfectly brewed tea in a disposable coffee cup.

Yes, you need passion and determination to run a successful business, but it’s vital you stir in some capital to grow and maximise opportunities.

Nyoli Scobie, Owner, Truly Tea