Tea Tunes - 10 Years: Begin Again

Tricia:

One of my favorite memories from Spirit Tea is one that is pretty recent, it was the origin trip to Taiwan this year. Traveling to Taiwan for tea is probably one of the most incredible experiences of my life. To meet the farmers and producers of the teas that I have been drinking and selling for years gave me a new perspective, a better understanding, and an immense sense of gratitude. Having that experience and being able to share it with a couple co-workers was definitely a highlight of my life! 

 

Carnival of the Animals: The Swan by Camille Saint- Saens

 

Emily:

I have three favorite memories, two of which are from SF Coffee Fest. The beautiful part about working at Spirit Tea is that everything we do requires teamwork. We really have our own small community. My first trip to SF was where I truly bonded with the sales and marketing team. During the first half of the year, I was mainly in production, so this was my first work trip with a team I barely knew. But our bond grew so quickly, between inside jokes, “passive-aggressive” jokes (LOL), and just the overall experience. By the time the second trip came around, we were solid. We laughed, worked hard, checked in on each other, and it just felt like such a good rhythm... "1...2..3...Fo"

As for my last memory, it's organizing the 10th Year Anniversary. To be given that opportunity and responsibility, I initially thought, “YES, of course I can do this!” But as the planning started, I got nervous — this wasn't an event for myself.. it was one that would represent the company. Once I got into the flow of it, though, it changed and challenged me in the best ways. Overall, it was a beautiful experience. As I mentioned earlier, Spirit Tea truly represents teamwork. It's never just one person, we're always in it together - this is how spirit tea made it this far.

Through the Fire by Chaka Khan

 

Stacy: 

I think of my time with Spirit in distinct eras, each one feeling like a different company with its own energy and group of people. Some of my favorite memories from every era are the little moments when we cheer and celebrate one another, through times of joy and hardship, work accomplishments, and life milestones. No matter which office we occupy or which people have walked through our doors, we're always there to support each other.

 

Here Comes the Sun by The Beatles

 

Amanda:

Trying to pick a favorite memory from my years at Spirit is impossible, so here's the chaotic list:

Making the entire SF Coffee Fest team get to the airport 3 hours before our 7am flight (years later Taylor would push me into exposure therapy and we'd cut it way closer, arriving just in time to board). Jordan deliberating his karaoke song choice for an ENTIRE night, then finally singing "Country Roads" just as the bar closed and the lights came on. Calling Jordan from a closet crying to ask for a job at Spirit. Hiring most of our staff and watching them become Spirit baddies. Great America where everyone saw me in absolute terror on every ride. Driving up SF's steepest hills in the biggest car packed with staff, hearing you all laugh while I saw my life flash before my eyes. Long exhausting nights at out-of-state events with the best team camaraderie. Moving from Fullerton to building out Unit 12 and obsessing over every detail to make it a place people would actually want to be.

But one recent standout: our dinner at Ever after the 2025 summit. The meal was honestly meh (ironic for such a fancy place), but the energy in the room was perfect. I felt so proud looking around at everyone, tired but buzzing. Jordan honestly gave one of his best speeches. This was also the first year employees could present what they'd worked on and were most proud of, which was just the best. And the production team's video was the cherry on top.

The food was mediocre, but the memory is perfect. That's what happens with the right people.

Everything I Own by Bread

Lael:

A fond memory I have from my time at Spirit thus far was during my first month of employment. Jordan and I took a day and did a cafe crawl around Chicago. As someone decently new to the city and to tea, it was a double whammy of getting to see new spots and chat with folks who serve and are stoked on our tea. I felt and still feel so privileged to get to share our tea's with the world.

 

Somewhere Over Laredo by Lainey Wilson

 

Will:

Pendulum by Broadcast

 

My favorite memory so far was my first visit to HQ in Chicago. The vibe and aesthetic, all you people; as soon as I walked in I knew this was the place for me. Either y'all are great at hospitality, or you're just great. Probably both..

 

Helen:

There are so many memories to choose from, but one that sticks out to me is the moment we officially got word that we would be expanding to the larger warehouse next to our current offices. This signified the growth we had been experiencing and revealed what the next phase of Spirit Tea could look like. Moving into the new warehouse has brought on a newness that took some time to adjust to, but it makes me excited for all the new memories yet to be created with every member of the Spirit Tea team.

Knowledge by Kamasi Washington

 

Z:

My time at spirit has been full of so many lovely memories, but one that always stands out is watching the last total solar eclipse with some of the spirit folk. Even though we were hilariously ill prepared and nearly burned our retinas, it was such a special moment - standing there together, witnessing such a rare spectacle.

If You're Sure You Want To by Alabaster DePlume

 

Kevin:

My favorite memory is the sourcing trip with Jordan between 5/17 and 6/9 in 2019, which included Taiwan, Thailand, China, and Korea. That was my first year at Spirit Tea, and the trip opened my eyes to a bigger world of tea and all the opportunities ahead for sourcing.

 

The Ordinary Road by Pu Shu

 

Danny:

My favorite memory is from Halloween 2024. Production all came to work dressed in costumes, which only got a little ridiculous while packing tea. Later that week we had a movie night after hours in the office where a bunch of us watched The Thing, one of my favorite movies.

April Come She Will by Simon & Garfunkel

 

Chris:

My favorite memory with Sprit Tea so far was our 10th Anniversary Party. As a DJ, parties and gatherings are very personal to me; as places where people connect and share good times together. The energy this night was a testament to the hard work that grew Spirit Tea into the team that it is today. Witnessing so many different people from different walks of life intersect was very inspiring and filled me with a deep sense of gratitude for joining Spirit Tea. 

I heard this song at a warehouse rave in Amsterdam this year; the opening DJ, Uberkikz, finished her set with this one. This was my first time in Amsterdam, specifically for Amsterdam Dance Event, and it marks a huge turning point in my career as music producer and DJ. 

Young Forever by Amelie Lens

 

Taylor:

Life is a Constant Journey Home by Jerry Moore

 

Jordan N:

Your Home by Kuniyuki Takahashi

 

Marcos:

It's really hard to pick a single favorite memory as so many others have said, but if I had to pick one, I'd have to pick my recent trip to Taiwan with Kevin and Tricia. I specifically remember taking the train back to our hotel from Hualien. Looking at the massive mountains out one window and the ocean on the other. Listening to Hovvdy during emotional travel days always feels right, and I remember listening to this song at that moment and thinking everything was perfect.

Joy by Hovvdy

 

Evangeline:

As the newest member of the team, my favorite memory is pretty fresh! I think it was my third week here when we took a trip to Six Flags as a team and just had the best time. We conquered fears, cracked jokes, and I may or may not have gotten yelled at taking a film photo of us on one of the coasters -- I'll do anything to capture a memory! ;) 

My song pick is Sunday Morning by the Velvet Underground. That feeling of an early morning on the first day of the week, nowhere to be but everything to reminise on. I think of a crisp breeze and soft light and endless possibilities for new beginnings when I hear this song. It's the cozy comfort of a home, a place to prepare to launch back into the world. 

Sunday Morning by The Velvet Underground, Nico