Assisted by ASBTDC at Arkansas State University
Batesville Woman Starts Tea Drive-Thru
Shaelyn Ellyson wanted to bring a unique business concept to the place she calls home—Batesville, Ark. She did just that with her drive-through tea shop, The Tea Crate.
Ellyson came across a similar concept in Texas.
She wasn’t sure how feasible the idea was for her small community, so she reached out to the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center at Arkansas State University.
The A-State center provided Shaelyn with market research on area demographics, consumer spending, and industry financial benchmarks that validated starting the business.
In addition, the center helped her develop financial projections and a formal business plan to take to a lender who was interested in the project.
Shaelyn was able to obtain an SBA-guaranteed loan. On property she acquired in a high-traffic area in the heart of town, she began building her vision (with two shipping crates).
She persevered despite several obstacles in 2019. Almost a year after getting a loan, The Tea Crate came to fruition, opening Jan. 29, 2020.
The shop offers assorted iced and hot teas, coffees, and “teafees,” along with flavored popcorn and other goodies.
Sydney Rebstock, March 9, 2020