Meet Brittnee Lau | Tea Specialist & Blender

We had the good fortune of connecting with Brittnee Lau and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brittnee, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
Up until very recently I had no concept of work life balance, & I didn’t think it was very important. Before I devoted myself to my company full time, I always had a demanding work schedule that would require me to work 60 – 65 hrs a week (not including the work I took home with me). I thought that was pretty normal, but I was very lonely. In my early 20s I didn’t see my friends very much, and loathed committed relationships that would get in the way of me reaching my goals. I always thought to myself, “I’ll have time in a few years when I get to where I need to be.” But then I blinked, and I was 30.

The 31 year old me now has a 1 month old & a family. Having my own business really allows me the flexibility to be her full time caregiver. Although I remain committed to my work relationships, I don’t feel bad about stepping back and saying “no” to projects. Now when I think about balance I take my daughter into consideration first and ask myself “will I be able to be there for her if I take this project? If I take on “x” amount of new wholesale clients?” If the answer is no, then I’ve become okay with turning down work. Turning down work hasn’t really affected my business financially in a way that I’m not able to sustain, but there are some projects I would have killed for 3 years ago, that I understand are just too big for my britches & too big for my brand at the moment.

If my 31 year old self could rewind 7-8 years, I would tell my younger self to calm the F*CK down. I used to dream about all the things I have now, and I really didn’t need to sacrifice my social life, love life, & work relationships to do it. There was an easier path where I could have had more work/life balance, still found success in my work, and led a fulfilling life much earlier on.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My tea company is so tiny that I really focus on the individual experience. Creating custom blends for special events, restaurants, or you grandmother’s birthday. Working with individual customers or wholesale accounts in this way allows me to create something for them that can capture a moment in time that people can remember.

I got to where I am by happenstance really. I was working a hotel and when I left, they needed a tea vendor. I loved that working relationship with buyers so I kept going! Up until 2020, I was only in the wholesale market, helping other restaurants and companies take their tea services to the next level. In 2020 I became fortunate to have to the opportunity to start retailing online, in stores, & at in person markets. There is so much more work that goes into retail (branding, packaging, consumer education, etc.), and the learning curve was steep. I’m still learning, but I think I’m getting better day by day.

I guess I would want the world to know that my brand is really focused on promoting and educating people on Hawaii Grown Teas. Most people don’t even realize we have such amazing commercially grown teas here in Hawaii because until now they were inaccessible to most people. I live in such a wonderful place, where the most amazing teas and botanicals grow, & I feel more people need to experience it.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would say for sure get out of Waikiki. Some many people come to Hawaii and that’s all they see. If you can take a day to island hop, do it!

If you’re coming to Oahu don’t sleep on Kaimuki and Chinatown. Some of the best restaurants and shopping are all clustered in these 2 areas. Some of my favorite restaurants are Senia, EARL, HeiHO, Miro, Pizza Mamo, Happy Day Dim Sum, Mud Hen Water, O’Kims, & Kokohead Cafe. Some places to shop for local goods Awa & Olena, Sugarcane, Roberta Oaks, and any of the pop up markets happening around town.

And of course if you want to try our teas on Oahu you can currently find us at Awa & Olena, Dean & Deluca, Try Coffee, HeiHo House, & Olena Cafe.

Places to go: beach in Kailua (But skip Lanikai. I know the travel channel sent you there, but the parking isn’t worth the stress), take a drive out west and beach it out there too. I would also say bring your hiking shoes, but also bring your sense of reality. Some of the hikes out here are like nature walks, some are like mountain climbing, so know your limits. Safe ones are Maili pillboxes, Koko Head Crate, and Manoa Valley. I also like to take a walk in the botanical gardens ( Liliuokalani & Foster, but Hoomaluhia is beautiful).

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Shoutout to my partner & parents. Without their love and support (emotionally and financially), I would have never been able to take a chance on myself and my own business. Shoutout to my daughter who continues to motivate me and lead my decision making. And shoutout to all the companies who let me be there vendor when I had no experience, no credentials, and horrific packaging… y’all have come a long way with me!

Website: www.thetreehouseteahouse.com

Instagram: treehouse.teas

Image Credits
@Genki Media @Maukamarket @jackso808