NBBC Session Descriptions

Wednesday, June 9 

Tea 101 (Opening General Session)

Participants will learn about the tea plant and how its leaves and leaf buds are made into black, green, oolong, white, pu-erh and flavored teas. With a wide variety of photographs and short pieces of film, the class will explain how the different types of teas are manufactured.  Instructor: Jane Pettigrew, International Tea Consultant and Writer

By the end of this session you will be able to: 

1. Recognize what a tea plant is.
2. Identify how and where the tea plant grows.
3. Recognize why all teas are different and have a unique character.
4. Distinguish how black, green, oolongs, white, pu-erh and flavored teas are made.
5. Identify where the different types are made. 

Create Your Strategic Business Plan

Has something in you sparked the desire to work for yourself or do you have a passion for a product or service that you imagine others would share? Strategic planning can provide you with a roadmap to making this entrepreneurial dream come true!  Instructor: Ruth Urban, CPF, President, The Urban Group LLC

By the end of this session you will be able to:

1. Write a Mission and Vision statement to guide your progress in setting up your business.
2. Set Objectives and Strategies to identify and measure what you want to accomplish this year.
3. Determine a budget to prepare for the financial needs of your business.
4. Prepare a concise Action Plan to get started.
5. Identify resources and support that you can utilize as you work toward success. 

Basic Legal for Tea Room Owners

Tax IDs, resale certificates, local DBAs, inspections from the health department to the fire department, labeling requirements, employment laws, trademark and copyright – the list goes on and on. Even the most knowledgeable tea professional realizes that starting and growing a tea business requires more than just knowing proper temperatures and steep times. This class provides the attendee with a step-by-step guide through the legal maze, and with detailed information on who to contact for State-specific information.  Instructor: Kristen Schneider, Esq., President, Keria Teas, LLC 

By the end of this session you will be able to:

1. Determine the best business structure for each situation and file the proper documents to create this structure.
2. Develop a strong business name and logo and apply for Federal and/or State trademark protection.
3. Determine which taxes are due when, and to whom, and the easiest ways to handle tax liabilities.
4. Identify which agencies a tea business typically needs permits from and how to obtain these permits.
5. Determine how to avoid the most common legal pitfalls when dealing with employees, customers and vendors. 

Hiring and Training Your Staff

Staffing your teashop will be the most expensive single decision you’re likely to make. This seminar will give you the tools to understand how, when and why to hire, as well as the skills to develop a training plan like the one used at one of the most successful teashops in America.  Instructor: Elisabeth Knottingham, Owner, The Teacup 

By the end of this session you will be able to: 

1. Hire staff with confidence.
2. Identify your staffing needs.
3. Understand your staffing needs.
4. Create and manage a training system.
5. Increase sales with great staff support. 

Thursday, June 10

Purchasing and Inventory Management

There are hundreds of books on tea, but have you ever seen one on how to choose a vendor, what to or and how much you'll sell?  Passion may get your business started, but you’ll need something more to make your dreams profitable. Learn the strategies that separate the hobbyist from the capitalist and make your business model work!  Instructor: Charles Cain, Business Development, Adagio Teas 

By the end of this session you will be able to: 

1. Define steps for selecting vendors – what to expect, what to ask, and what to watch out for.
2. Identify quality teas and accessories – and how to avoid getting cheated.
3. Focus on building your collection – what products sell best and where can you make your profits.
4. Develop inventory strategies – how much product to carry and how to minimize shipping costs.
5. How to choose an inventory management and Point of Sale system. 

Capturing and Marketing Customers

This interactive class will teach you to cultivate customers with cost-effective marketing tools, including newsletters, direct mail, special events and online promotions.  Learn how to capture customers and manage them in a database. Learn the do’s and don’ts of successful copywriting.  Discover common design pitfall to avoid and what elements to get your marketing piece noticed.  Find out easy ways to begin establishing yourself as an expert and how to secure speaking engagements, free media, Web exposure and cross-promotions in your community.  Leave with a resource list and the motivation to begin executing a plan that is right for your business to capture, retain and market your target customers.  Instructor: Beth Johnston, President, Teas Etc., Inc. 

By the end of this session you will be able to: 

1. Collect, compile, manage and utilize a customer database to increase sales.
2. Generate marketing ideas and opportunities and overcome common roadblocks.
3. Write effective copy that will gain attention and produce results.
4. Confidently contact the media to establish your presence and expertise.
5. Indentify low-cost strategies that will work to promote your specific business model and ideas. 

Core Technologies to Optimize Business Performance

In this seminar we will survey a range of technologies that will help you manage the daily activities of your business and improve communication with your customers.  Seminar will include topics such as; cash register & point of sale systems, credit card processing, accounting systems, management reports, digital media, websites, ecommerce, and security.  Core technologies can start your business off on the right foot, and can optimize your business performance for years to come.  Instructor: Ronald Eng, Owner, Kopius Teas 

By the end of the session, you will be able to: 

1. Develop your own checklist of relevant technologies and vendors.
2. Understand their value within retail and ecommerce environments.
3. Prioritize these technologies for your business.
4. Review major considerations for an effective evaluation, implementation and maintenance plan.
5. More efficiently track sales, expenses and profits.
6. Improve communications with your customers. 

Ask the Experts (Closing General Session)

Now that you’ve heard from the entire NBBC faculty and digested what they’ve said, it’s time for you to bring it all full circle in this Ask the Experts session. Our entire faculty will be on one panel prepared to answer questions that we've been collecting from you over the course of NBBC.  Don’t hold back; they are here to guide you to the path of success.