One sip of a Magnolia Spiced Tea and it’s easy to see why it’s become one of the most in-demand brands in the ready-to-drink tea market. Founded by Calvita Frederick Sowell ten years ago, Magnolia has the flavor and taste of the teas your grandmother used to make. The reason is simple, Sowell was committed to an all-natural approach to brewing. “Magnolia’s flavor line is distinctive because we manufacture our teas much the way you make them at home,” explains Sowell. “We have tea bags made to our specifications and we brew them and bottle them at a very high temperature so that no preservatives or artificial ingredients are added. They taste like what they are-homemade.”
Sowell found quick success with her distinct blend of teas, and Magnolia would go on to achieved distribution in over 1,200 retail outlet, including retailer Jewel Osco, increasing the visibility of Sowell’s teas. “This was literally nine months after the product was formulated that Jewel agreed, not only to bring us in, but bring in our entire line [and] bring it in chain-wide,” she says. “The reason was the high quality of the product and the distinctiveness of the taste. It was humbling and also encouraging at the same time.”
Sowell credits both the quality teas and the right timing for her product’s success. “Natural products, especially teas, are taking over,” she says. “A lot of people are no longer drinking carbonated beverages. [Initially], I had no clue about sales or marketing and I didn’t have any money. But I’ve learned that no matter what u think you know or don’t know, it’s still very much a learning process.” Judging from her success, Calvita Frederick Sowell leanred plenty-and learned it well. -todd williams
