Jordana Edwards

The Breastfeeding Tea Co

When did you start your business?

I started my first tea company in 2013 ( sold 2021), and launched my second tea company The Breastfeeding Tea Co in April 2020

What was the inspiration behind starting this business?

I struggled terribly with breastfeeding all 3 of my children. From poor attachment to low supply, and then colic. After I had started my first tea brand and my daughter was born, she suffered such terrible wind and colic that I reached out to my mum a naturopath to create Australia’s first “Colic Tea”. Not only did it change my own breastfeeding experience but has gone on to help over 30,000 breastfeeding mothers. Followed shortly by the demand of our customers, we launched a fenugreek free Lactation Tea.

What are you most excited about in your business?

Every day I get to wake up to messages, reviews and emails about how our teas change the lives of mothers and their babies. Giving women back their confidence to breastfeeding is the greatest joy.

What has been the most challenging thing about starting your business?

Being in business for 10 years I have faced many challenges. At the beginning it was getting the branding correct for Clean Tea and then learning to communicate our products to the customers needs or problems. Once we became consumer solution focused the business scaled rapidly.

Scaling in itself has many ups and downs, cash flow and staff was a huge learning curve, especially when scaling rapidly.

What advice would you give to other women thinking about starting a business?

Like many business owners, our business ideas are often born from a solution to a problem we faced. Being able to wake up every day and share that journey with others is an incredibly rewarding process. However, business is not always easy. Learn and grow from your mistakes and see them as lessons. But most of all be prepared, do you research, invest in business school/ training or a mentor, so you have the guidance to achieve success easier than travelling the entrepreneur path alone

Why did you enter the AusMumpreneur Awards?

I entered the awards for the experience. I had previously won 5 Ausmum trophies in 2020 for Clean Tea but it was during lockdown so I won from my living room via zoom. I had friends who had attended the awards and raved about the experience, the learning and relationships they had gained at an Ausmum conference and awards. So this year I did the full VIP experience and immersed myself entirely in the conference and awards, and it was completely beyond my expectations. I made the greatest of new friends, grew as a person and entrepreneur, filled my cup with positivity and passion again. Winning 6 trophies and National Ausmum of the Year was the icing on the cake to an epic few days. I highly recommend attending the conference and awards to any mumprenuer.

What did you enjoy the most about being part of the awards?

Certainly the community. The women I met were so warm and friendly. They shared their experiences and lessons, and I learned so much from each of them as well as from the presenters for the 2 days. I walked away with many key ideas to implement in my business but also lifelong friendships. However, it was the National Ausmumpreneur of the Year was probably the major highlight and a career-long dream come true.

What surprised you most about the awards?

How much I had to search into myself and my business, to share and explain my passion for what I do. Answering the questions and interviews certainly pushes you from your comfort zone, and into higher levels. You really have to believe in yourself and your business, and that you are worthy of being honoured for what you do.

How did the awards help you in your business?

Gosh yes! The attention we received for our 6 awards was incredible. But also as a brand that serves mothers we knew that they could relate to me winning as both a mother and entrepreneur. When customers now visit the website & socials we have 11 tiles from our Ausmum awards, which gives customers a level of trust and a sense of authority for our brand. As a nationally recognised award, it certainly gave us the credibility we had hoped to achieve by entering the awards

What advice would you give to other mums thinking about entering the awards?

DO IT! You won’t regret it. Even if you don’t win, the experience itself will teach you so much about yourself and your business, plus introduce you to the most supportive community. But most of all, you deserve it! You deserve the recognition for what you do as a mother & entrepreneur, no matter how big or small your business is.

What has been the best thing about starting your own business?

Definitely the flexibility to be a mother and an entrepreneur. I only work school hours so I can be present for my kids before and after school every day. But also the freedom to be at assemblies or sports days. Most of all being a role model to my children so they can see how running a business works and where hard work can produce an income. My kids actively help on school holidays in our factory and have learned so much growing up watching their mum strive for new goals and dreams.

What’s happening next in your business?

We just launched our latest product. Australia’s FIRST ever Lactation Hot Chocolate with collagen. An amazing product that is colic friendly, soy and dairy free, refined sugar free and helps to increase your breast milk supply with a dose of collagen for postpartum recovery.

What are your big plans for the future?

In the last 18 months I have sold a business, moved factories, launched a tea bag option, done 3 trade shows, launched an Australian first product all while juggling my son’s debilitating illness. My big plans for the future is to find balance, rest and a new relaxed “normal” in our brand. Sometimes the greatest success is just happiness.

What is your website and/or social media links (eg. Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram)

https://www.breastfeedingteaco.com/

https://www.instagram.com/thebreastfeedingteaco

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordana-edwards-21357b166/

https://www.instagram.com/jordanaedwards