Member Article

The ?T? factor

The first UK retailers of white leaf tea have received a big boost after making it through to the final of Biz Idol. University of Sunderland Business School lecturer Stephen Grinsell and senior catering manager Sharon Olver pipped hundreds of entrepreneurs to the Biz Idol final at the Stadium of Light on July 6. Biz Idol is a business idea competition in the style of TV’s The Apprentice and Dragon’s Den. The aim is to support the creation of new businesses in Tyne & Wear and to inspire people to develop their entrepreneurial ideas and turn them into viable businesses. The finalists are competing for a support package for their fledgling businesses, including essential start-up support, expert consultancy and £2,000 cash to help them start their company immediately. ‘t’ specialises in importing white leaf tea, which has five-times more anti-oxidants than green leaf tea and the least caffeine of all teas. Stephen said: “There is a gap in the market. Trying to buy loose leaf white tea from a shop is nearly impossible, and white tea will be big because of its health properties. We want to be first in this market.” Stephen and Sharon also plan to expand the brand to include plans for an international teahouse selling teas from around the world, and corporate hospitality. For more information about ‘t’, contact Sharon Olver on 0191 5153476 or email sharon.olver@sunderland.ac.uk.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .