In Episode 36 of the HerStory Podcast, Kylie King is joined by the multicultural and multi-talented Tanja Boldt, founder of Jaroma Tea. Joining from South Australia, Tanja shares her fascinating journey from Kazakhstan to Germany, New Zealand, and finally settling in Adelaide. With a 25-year background in retail, Tanja’s transition into business ownership was sparked by a desire to combine her skills in sales, cooking, and art into a single, creative passion: premium loose-leaf tea.

The episode dives into Tanja’s “all-in” approach to business. After hosting a tea-tasting event on Facebook with no brand, no logo, and no actual tea, she gave herself just four weeks to build a professional identity from scratch. Today, Joroma Tea features over 15 unique blends, including the internationally acclaimed Golden Leaf Award winners. Tanja discusses the science of tea blending, the benefits of loose-leaf over “tea bag dust,” and her mission to bring high-quality tea cocktails and non-alcoholic alternatives to the Australian cafe scene.

What You’ll Learn in Episode 36

• The “idea to action” roadmap: How Tanja launched a business in 30 days starting with a single Facebook event.

• Why loose-leaf tea offers superior health benefits and flavor profiles compared to standard tea bags.

• The secrets behind her award-winning blends, Goddess Bliss and Cherry Berry, and what it takes to win a Golden Leaf Award.

• Tanja’s tips for creating tea-based cocktails and refreshing iced teas using her book, Fancy Tea.

• How to find and maintain long-term relationships with reliable farmers and suppliers to ensure product consistency.

• The reality of juggling a toddler, a retail career, and a growing business while traveling the South Australian market circuit.

• Why you should never let your brain become an “idea cemetery” and the importance of taking realistic action.

My name is Tanja Boldt. I moved to Australia in 2017. Before that I was living in New Zealand but was raised in Germany, I was born to multicultural family and grew up being bilingual kid. I was born actually in Kazakhstan.

I’ve been in the retail industry for over 25 years, working across various countries. I’m particularly passionate about the world of tea, having scooped up the Golden Medals at the Golden Lead Awards in 2023 with my standout tea products, Cherry Berry and Goddess Bliss, which topped more than 620 other entrants.

The birth of my daughter was a real game-changer for me, prompting a shift in my career path that led me to pen my first book on Amazon Kindle. This guide dives into crafting non-alcoholic cocktails using loose leaf tea as a base, combining my love for innovative beverages with a practical approach.

One of my proudest creations is the Mother’s Day Tea Blend, designed to be a cosy hug in a mug for mums everywhere, with delightful aroma that reminds you of a warm apple pie. This blend showcases my ongoing commitment to revolutionising the non-alcoholic beverage industry with unique, health-conscious, and tasty tea blends.

When I’m not steeped in the world of tea, you’ll find me dabbling in acrylic painting or cooking up a storm – I’m quite the keen cook.

My business approach has been greatly influenced by various mentors, especially Greta Van Riel, whose down-to-earth advice encouraged me to kick off my tea business venture, which has been a fantastic success.

Jaroma Tea’s mission is to inspire a transformative journey towards wellness and refined taste, catering to the evolving desires of the modern tea enthusiast. We are dedicated to those seeking to redefine their lifestyle choices, offering an exclusive collection of rare, vibrant, and full-bodied tea blends that invigorate the senses and nourish the soul.

Find Tanja:

Website: www.jaromatea.com.au
Instagram: www.instagram.com/jaromatea

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