Meet Fay Han-Hirt | Sprouting Tea and Leaf Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Fay Han-Hirt and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Fay, what are you inspired by?
(1) Life. (2) The beauty of the world that surrounds us. The lifestyle of “Cha Dao” (or the Way of Tea) has us slow down to enjoy the small things. I found my life and the world I live in speed up at an increasingly faster pace. I felt as though many precious and special moments, that I should have been enjoying, were passing by in the blink of an eye and I wasn’t “present” to take them in. A fast-paced, hustle lifestyle has been glorified and over-emphasized in many cultures today. Starting Sprouting Tea and Leaf helps me spread the idea of slowing down as many people are currently over-worked, over-stressed, and over- do whatever they are involved in.

Our lives are not long so it’s important to realize that when we get in a state of over- being, we can try to make a conscious effort to slow down to enjoy this life we are given and enjoy the journey. Participating in the tea journey reminds me that we are all on a life journey while the brewing of tea in traditional GongFu style allows me to calm my mind and find peace. Our journey, whether a tea journey or a life journey, can come in many varieties but is always meant to be cherished (not something to just overcome or make it through) and can be further enjoyed in the presence of others.
Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
We get excited about sharing the beautiful world of tea on a personal level. We have many customers who come to enjoy one-on-one sessions in which traditional tea brewing styles are explored. Typically, individuals will feel calm and relaxed as tea experience progresses. Getting to where we are today, in regard to Sprouting Tea and Leaf, has not been a straightforward path. I was introduced to tea at a young age but didn’t begin to appreciate it as an art or science until later on. I quit my comfortable corporate job to pursue my interest in tea and start a business after realizing the opportunity in the American market. This occurred a few months prior to COVID-19 pandemic beginning. I was actually in China for sourcing products and introducing myself to other tea professionals when the lock-down happened. Due to the strict laws and uncertainty surrounding the pandemic, I was stuck in China for 10 months before returning to the US. I have family and friends there so, luckily, I was able to continue to look for products, gain an invaluable mentor/friend (Li Na), and learn more about the tea industry.

The real work began upon returning to the US however. Marketing and sales are immensely valuable to any business. Both take considerable effort and have their own struggles. Building credibility in a market where most consumers do not understand your products or services requires consistent focus and education.

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.
My tea room obviously, first-and-foremost (lol). Depending on the seasons and weather – we’d likely head to the parks (e.g. the Dallas Arboretum, Fort Worth Botanical Garden, White Rock Lake, etc.) and enjoy a picnic with tea meditation.

I’d also like to take them to the National Musuem of Asian Art, enjoy Asian karaoke for a night out, the Fort Worth Stock Yards, and sample some bubble tea establishments that have been popping up. For food, I’d recommend the Tex-Mex and Texas BBQ joints or the authentic Chinese restaurants.

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?
First. My husband – Sawyer. I would not have accomplished or achieved as much as I have without his continued encouragement, help, and support.

Second. My tea friend/mentor/master – Li Na. She shared her knowledge and helps to further develop my understanding of the world of tea. Her positivity and presence have been like a mother’s light shining during some of the darkest hours.

Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/sproutingteaandleaf

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sproutingtea/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sproutingtea

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqhfcpSRy0inNVNgp1EaRiQ

Image Credits
Feng Han-Hirt