International Women’s Month is a time to recognise the incredible impact that women have on our lives and society as a whole. It’s a great opportunity to honour the women in our lives and the people who stand by them through all the challenges. Join us as we explore the journey of Munich-based Laura Ng and Junjie Kong, the founders of Hungry Tea Masters, and discover how they overcame obstacles, embraced equity in both their business and personal lives, and paved the way for others to follow.
Hungry Tea Masters: Combining their passion for food and tea
Like many Singaporeans, Laura and Junjie are passionate foodies who are constantly looking for more creative ways to enjoy their favourite teas. They observed a gap in the European market where tea pairing is still a relatively novel concept. Many tea shops sell low-quality teas, and their vendors often lack in-depth knowledge of the product, making it challenging for tea lovers to explore the world of tea pairing. To widen exposure to tea, they share the opinion with many experts that it should be combined with food.
"We noticed a trend among Western tea drinkers to pair tea with food, but without proper knowledge of tea, it can be an uphill climb," says Laura.
Their journey began when a Canadian tea training institute invited the couple as tea-pairing trainers and partners in Germany. Hungry Tea Masters aims to educate people about tea and help them appreciate it in the best way possible, bringing them into the world of tea-food pairing exploration.
"At the heart of it, tea pairing is a fun and exciting way to explore the world of tea. With our expertise, fellow tea lovers can elevate their tea experience and explore new and exciting food combinations that complement their favourite teas," adds Junjie.
Resistance to trying new things in the European market
One of the hardest things for Hungry Tea Masters has been getting people to think about pairing tea with non-traditional foods, like Schnitzels. Adding to the challenge is the fact that non-blended teas haven’t gained as much popularity in Europe, especially in Germany. To add to the mix, some seasoned tea vendors believe that tea should be enjoyed on its own, but why not explore the endless possibilities of pairing it with food, much like we do with wine?
Junjie says, "The challenge lies in how to encourage the general public to be open to the idea of pairing tea with food, especially when some experts still consider it a ludicrous concept, despite our own successful experiences with it."
Overcoming the stereotype: non-tech businesses can succeed too
As a non-tech entrepreneur, it's easy to feel like you're at a disadvantage in a world that increasingly revolves around technology. But the truth is, technology is just a tool. It's passion, drive, and determination that truly determine success in entrepreneurship.
Take Laura, for example. Despite her non-tech ventures, she is far from a lost damsel dabbling in entrepreneurship as a last resort. In fact, she holds a minor in entrepreneurship from Nanyang Technological University (NTU), a full-time job as a performance marketer, and a master’s degree in marketing analytics. Her decision to start a non-tech venture was a deliberate choice born out of passion.
"The truth is, not every business needs to be tech-related to succeed. There are plenty of successful non-tech startups out there, and there is no reason yours can’t be one of them."
Junjie agrees. "As long as you have a solid business plan, a clear understanding of your target market, and a passion for what you do, your non-tech venture can be as successful as any of its tech counterparts."
Turning setbacks into opportunities in the tea industry
While the tea industry has many women entrepreneurs, each person is fighting their own battle. Even so, Laura has worked around these problems by building alliances and suggesting collaborations whenever she can.
Some people, mostly men, have questioned her knowledge of tea and the tea industry. However, when she asks them hard questions about tea, she finds that they don't know as much as they say they do. Nonetheless, she takes note of the cafes or teahouses they mention and conducts her own research, adding them to their competitor analysis.
"It’s about turning lemons into lemon tea," she quips.
The importance of having a support system in entrepreneurship
As a woman entrepreneur, having a support system is crucial for success. But it’s not just about having any support system - it’s about having the right one. The right support system can open doors you never thought possible and provide insights into industries you want to explore.
A supportive network provides help without judgement, creating a safe space for women to ask questions and seek advice. In addition to emotional support, a supportive network can also provide practical help through the sharing of bite-size know-how, which is easily digestible information that can be understood even in the most stressful situations.
"I’ve been fortunate to have a support system of friends who believe in me, provide valuable introductions into networks that I would not have access to otherwise, and offer tips on how to strengthen my business based on current trends. However, one thing I haven’t been able to find yet is a suitable mentor."
That’s one of the reasons Laura and Junjie started their other venture, Southeast Asian Entrepreneurs in Europe Association (SEEA) - to connect entrepreneurs with mentors who have "been there and done that" to better prepare them for their own journeys. With the right support system in place, anything is possible.
Furthermore, women-targeted funding is essential to help women-led businesses thrive. Women-led enterprises are often underfunded, making it more challenging for women to start and grow their businesses.
"The availability of funding for women-led businesses would encourage more women to take the first step and pursue their entrepreneurial dreams," she says.
Embracing equity in business, and achieving balance in their personal lives
There’s something truly powerful about having a partner who is willing to go the extra mile to support you. For Laura, Junjie not only offers a listening ear and a strong shoulder to lean on but also provides practical advice and guidance when it comes to navigating a male-dominated entrepreneurial world.
"Junjie has been my cheerleader, sounding board, and biggest supporter in both our personal lives and all of our entrepreneurial endeavours," she says. "In situations where we are in a room full of men, he echoes my voice to ensure that I’m heard."
But it's not just emotional support that's important. The couple strongly believes in work-life balance, recognizing that being overwhelmed or burnt out can lead to a loss of creativity and logical thinking.
"Entrepreneurship requires one to stay sharp, especially during decision-making, management, and pitching to clients," Junjie states. "We wouldn’t want to lose any opportunities or make any blunders just because we are mentally tired. We have reached the burnout stage several times before, and we made the conscious decision to not continue the vicious cycle."
To avoid burnout, they make a conscious effort to switch off from work once they've completed their tasks for the day, and they try their best to not work on weekends and holidays as much as possible.
"We switch off from everything once we clear the tasks set for the day," she says. "Heading outdoors is our go-to activity. We walk our dog, go for hikes, runs, and even camp in a tent when the weather is good to take our minds and eyes off our electronic devices."
Laura and Junjie recognise that, as a woman, she faces unique challenges and biases in a male-dominated entrepreneurial world, but they also know that she has the talent and drive to overcome them together.
"I know he will always be there to catch me when I fall," she says. "That is how I stay fearless when venturing into the European entrepreneurial world as a minority woman."
Learn more about Hungry Tea Masters by visiting their website and LinkedIn page; alternatively, feel free to reach out to Laura and Junjie via email for an enriching tea-pairing experience!
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