One day in early 2004, while looking through a Romantic Homes Magazine, I came across a full-page advertisement with the heading, "Join Us for Tea!" Underneath in bold print were the words, "If You Are Longing for a Business that Fulfills Your Dreams... " The words tea and business amidst pictures of beautiful floral teacups, teapot and other dishware definitely caught my attention! I read on, "A Sandy Clough Tea offers you the opportunity to sell Sandy Clough's personally designed gift products as an independent distributor at tea parties in homes nationwide." A phone number was provided for further information.
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This opportunity involved my favorite things - tea and tea parties, pretty dishes and sharing hospitality. Was it the niche I'd been searching for? I had never been in direct sales before, but the only cost involved was the sample kit, which was mine to keep, so I decided to go for it! I called the phone number, signed up to become a Sandy Clough tea lady, and bought a plane ticket bound for Nashville, Tennessee to attend training February 13 thru 15, 2004 at Opryland Hotel.
The commissioning service was the culmination of our three-day training period, where Sandy Clough tied a beautiful white linen apron on each new tea lady.
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Sandy tying my apron on me.
A Sandy Clough Tea was a new company, and I was Michigan's only tea lady. I was excited about the opportunities.
When I began, I was still working full-time as a church secretary, a position I held for 22 years, but I decided to retire in June 2004 to devote all of my energies to being a Sandy Clough tea lady.
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From February to December I took Sandy Clough tea parties into 52 homes emphasizing the company motto, "Hospitality Opens Hearts." Michigan ladies loved Sandy's products and I won a first place award for highest retail sales.
I learned much that year, but probably the most significant was the fact that tea parties are relevant and enjoyable in the twenty-first century - even in casual, busy lifestyles. Tea offers a respite from fast-paced living, and provides the opportunity to quiet ourselves if only for a brief period of time. And Hospitality Opens Hearts, is definitely an accurate statement!
I learned much that year, but probably the most significant was the fact that tea parties are relevant and enjoyable in the twenty-first century - even in casual, busy lifestyles. Tea offers a respite from fast-paced living, and provides the opportunity to quiet ourselves if only for a brief period of time. And Hospitality Opens Hearts, is definitely an accurate statement!
In 2005, Sandy Clough closed her business.
Tea journey continued...
