Raji Singh never thought she would discover her calling through tealeaves. Today, the 2014 graduate of Michigan State University is a brand ambassador for an international tea company that recently selected East Lansing as its base for breaking in to the North American market.
With 15 offices in Europe and Asia,
Newby Teas of London was looking to expand across the Atlantic. And Singh—a Newby team member with roots in Mid-Michigan—stepped up to make it happen.
After earning a degree in political science from MSU's James Madison College, Singh worked in international trade and moved to London. Once there, she heard about Newby Teas and landed a job with the company's sales, marketing and tea tasting team in late 2015.
"I fell in love with the brand and the mission," says Singh. "When they told me they didn't have a presence in North America, we decided it might be an opportunity for me to bring the tea back here."
Having grown up in Okemos, Singh felt at home in mid-Michigan, and sought out the support and resources through the MSU Product Center, the Lansing Economic Area Partnership, the City of East Lansing, and the Small Business Development Center. By March 2016, she was able to open an office in the East Lansing Marriott Center, and slate a grand opening for August.
Newby Teas sells tea and gifts inside luxury hotels, and is available to individuals through an online boutique. As a brand ambassador, Singh plans to expand the product's availability in hotels across the U.S., starting in big city markets like New York, Chicago and Los Angeles.
As well as supplying teas sourced from Nepal, India, Kenya, China, Japan and Taiwan, Newby Teas advances educational and charity-based causes. Singh points out that the Marriott office features an educational room that can accommodate up to 20 people for demonstrations and seminars. The company recently participated as a sponsor and vendor at
Kaleidoscope--a health and education event for women through the Sparrow Foundation.
"This is an organization based on passion, education and cause," says Singh. "I'm really enjoying it, and believe in what we're doing."
The North American Office of Newby Teas of London employs four staff and is located inside the East Lansing Marriott at 333 Albert Ave., Suite 633.
Source: Raji Singh, Brand Ambassador, Newby Teas of London
Writer: Ann Kammerer, News Editor
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