We recently connected with Marla Lacey and have shared our conversation below.
Marla, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
Confidence & self-esteem, two traits that I have learned to hone, understand, & navigate since as long as I could remember. Growing up, the challenge to learn confidence, and build self-esteem were many. From the outside lookin in, you would look at my life and think I lived the “Cosby” show life. Successful parents with prosperous careers, 3 sisters and a brother, household of good solid family morals, values, and beliefs; and for the most part it was relatively true. However, for me it posed a greater challenge. While my mannerism, etiquette, speech, & lifestyle were effective in one community, they were however very different from those who looked just like me. My school age years, I discovered the racial, socio-economical, & even belief lines were very very real. I found out that there were those who did not like me because I was a different color, but also those who were same color did not like me because I did not have the same mannerism, speech, etc. like them. Eventually, I had to come to the knowledge that these beliefs were not representative of myself, but rather of those who acted this way towards me. I came to learn that God made me in His image, to learn that there was purpose in why He placed me in the family, socio-class, race, & class that He did. As I begin to realize and embrace these things, I began to dig deeper into the wonderful person I am, and ultimately as I got older, a level of self-confidence, & self-esteem developed that has carried me throughout many obstacles and challenges. Not only this, but the self-esteem and confidence that developed through this time in my life, also helped fueled my resilience, optimism, successfulness, purpose, & even generosity towards others.
As I look back during these times, I am grateful that I was able to develop these traits, that I discovered who I am in Christ, and today I can face situations and be confident in who I am and what I am called to do in life.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Hello, while many may ascribe to me a glorified title, you’ll often hear me referred to as a Tea Artist/Blender &/or A Hospitality Tea Enthusiasts. Perhaps big words, but they have such a simple effective meanings. What do those words really mean? It means, I create loose leaf tea blends, creating blends that are unique to individuals, that help the individual express a cherished memory or experience. Cultivating over 50 loose leaf blends, all with names that resonate with home, hospitality, friendship, & family, each blend offers the tea drinker an opportunity to “experience” tea in a new way. While I am passionate about creating these fun & amazing blends, I am even more passionate about giving people the opportunity to enjoy the gift of hospitality through afternoon teas. Each quarter , I host afternoon teas, not to be confused with high tea (which in fact is the wrong terminology) that are open to the public and people love them! It’s a great way to experience an timeless etiquette that people actual love. It’s an opportunity to bring people together, to give them an chances to create and develop new relationships and build community with others. It’s a full experience, from the scones with jam, cream, & curd, to the tea sandwiches, savories, & petite desserts, to the delicious cups of tea, guest speakers, shopping experience, & more. Hosting our afternoon teas are such a joy to serve to others and offer them a true experience of hospitality.
I’d love to share something special with you! We are gearing up for Phase2 “Pour A 2nd Cup” our community initiative to give us a permanent brick & mortar home. If you’d like to help, head to our website & check out our “Phase 2” page.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Good question. There are so many important skills & qualities that come to mind, but I think there are a few that really stand out for me. These three would have to be; 1. Integrity 2. Boundaries and 3. Confidence
For me, one mark of a good business owner, or any one who desires to gain advancement in their chosen area is integrity. Let your yes be yes and your no be no. If you make a mistake or are unable to follow through with something, don’t ignore it, step up and admit you are not able to follow through or that you may have made a mistake. This doesn’t mean you apologizes for someone else’s feelings or that they don’t like what you offer or service you provide. Rather integrity is being the person that in a world where people don’t keep their word, you do. Trust me, you’ll be remembered for your stance of integrity.
Boundaries, this should be pretty explanatory but often times it is not. Before you begin your journey, know what you will accept & what you will not. Set you lines that cannot be crossed & know your non-negotiables. This may mean the hours you set, the products you do or do not provide, family time vs business time, and more. Set those early in your journey, it’s much easier than years after you’re journey has started. Lastly, confidence. Know who you are, the skills you have and provide, know your worth and be confident in who God has made you to be. Have confidence in your why, and stay true to that.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Here at MaraBette, we love to collaborate with other people and small businesses who align with our vision and our mission.
Currently, we offer wholesale collaborations with cafe’s and eateries or restaurants who want to “heighten” their tea products and provide their customers with a new level of tea experience. I also love collaborating with corporations who are looking to provide their customers with a different type of gifting idea, who love the idea of small business’ or local. We our would love to chat with any customer or business who would be interested in collaborating with us. If they would like to contact us, we can be reached at our email address
marabette1@gmail.com or by message at 864-402-9553
Thanks
Contact Info:
- Website: www.marabetteteas.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/marabetteandco
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marabette
