By: Juelene Stennett
A Poetic Testimonial
Tea has always been my little ritual, my thing… a warm hug, a moment of comfort, a reason
to pause. But now, when I take a sip, I think about the people behind the leaves, the hands
that picked them, the lands they grew from. I think about sustainability, culture, and the
stories steeped into every cup.
I recently attended the Toronto Tea Festival and to my surprise my placement at Studio.89
gave me a whole new perspective. As I happily wandered from booth to booth, sipping
and savoring (and trust me, I did plenty of that). I found myself drawn into conversations
about fair trade, ethical sourcing, and the impact of conscious consumerism.
Instead of just appreciating a good brew I wanted to know: Where, how, and who grew these leaves?
Were they paid fairly? How does this tea honor tradition and sustainability?
Turns out, Studio.89 had quietly trained me to ask these questions to look beyond the
product and see the bigger picture, to look beyond the branding (the visual) to uncover
the brand (the story). Working here has shown me that every choice we make even
something as simple as choosing tea can be an act of awareness, a step toward something
better.
This isn’t just a place that serves ethically sourced drinks; it’s a space that encourages
dialogue, creativity, and action in ways that matter.
Being part of this mission has inspired me to engage with the world more thoughtfully, to
recognize the interconnectedness of what’s in my cup with the hands that picked the
leaves, the land that nourished them, and the systems that bring them to us.
Experiences like these have taught me that leadership isn’t about standing at a podium. It’s
in the conversations we have, the choices we make, and the communities we build. It’s
about being aware, being engaged, sharing our awareness and letting that guide how we
move through the world.
At the festival, I wasn’t just enjoying tea; I was experiencing the cultures, histories, and labor
behind every steeped leaf. I left with a deeper respect for the industry and a sense of
responsibility that I hope to share with other. So here’s my takeaway… Enjoy your tea. Savor
it.
But next time, let it stir up some questions too. Because true enjoyment requires true
equity, and deeper structural (dare I say systemic) change.
Studio.89