INSIDE BIG T NYC, A WOMAN-RUN COMPANY

Celebrating Women’s History Month by sharing our story

In honor of March being Women's History Month we decided to spotlight and share a little background on our founder and chief tea designer, Theresa Krier. We are proud to celebrate this month and share our inspiring story, because as Bey says, we all know who run the world… ;) 

WHAT BIG T NYC IS ALL ABOUT

Born backstage at New York Fashion Week, Big T NYC is the world’s first couture tea brand. We believe that feeling and looking good start on the inside, which is why we offer a variety of all-natural, Certified Organic teas and tisanes that are designed to promote optimal beauty and wellness. We think of it as basically a beauty product that you drink. Big T NYC teas are our favorite daily must-have.

From the sleep-inducing Beauty Sleep Organic Chamomile Tisane, to the energizing All Night Long Organic Black Tea and the glow-boosting Tell-Tale Glow White Tea, our NUDE and COUTURE Collections are packed with health-boosting properties that will help you look and feel your best.

THERESA KRIER: THE WOMAN BEHIND BIG T NYC

Theresa's unique take on the ancient beverage of tea has earned the attention of extensive press, and Theresa was named one of Entrepreneur Magazine's 15 Female Entrepreneurs to Watch in 2015.

We chatted with her to get the scoop of what she’s passionate about, her inspiration, and what she’s obsessed with now.

Tell us a little more about the two Big T NYC collections: Nude & Couture. 

Big T NYC was launched with the Couture Collection, which are thoughtfully handcrafted teas designed to create specific experiences and promote wellness. For our next collection, I wanted to highlight the teas and herbs that are inherently healthy and delicious on their own. Thus the Nude Collection (ie not blended with anything else) was born. It features six teas and tisanes, each with unique health properties, curated from organic gardens around the world. 

We hear that there are some exciting things happening at Big T NYC this summer, can you share?! 

We have a new, VERY COOL, product line coming out in early summer… I can’t say too much about it, but it will definitely be my summer go-to. Trust me, you’ll thank me soon!

What inspires you? 

Right now wellness as a holistic lifestyle is on the rise, which I love. It’s amazing and inspiring to see people living their best lives, taking care of themselves physically, mentally and emotionally. When our bodies and minds are healthy, we can achieve anything. I also love women supporting women (and in general humans supporting other humans). It’s so important to build each other up. #squadgoals

What advice would you give to someone who is interested in starting his/her own business? 

Find a mentor. I cannot stress enough the importance of having mentors. They have helped me so much in guiding my career and making important business and personal decisions. I wouldn’t be where I am now, had I not had this “committee of angels” by my side.

Which is your favorite tea from Big T NYC? 

I get asked this so often! It’s really hard, because I love each of them – I wouldn’t put out a product that I didn’t love. Right now I’m drinking our Haute Body green tea on the regular. It provides sustainable caffeine that won’t make you crash, and helps boost your metabolism, which let's be honest, is pretty awesome. It’s also really hydrating so I drink a lot of it... like 6-8 cups a day.

Top 5 must-have beauty products? 

• Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer in Sand
• MUN No. 1 Brightening Youth Serum – It's so luxe, silky, and all-natural 
• Nomaterra New Orleans roll-on fragrance – Perfect size for stashing in my purse and when I travel
• Primal Pit Paste in lavender – I try to go aluminum free with deodorant and this is the most effective I’ve come across
• Big T NYC Tell-Tale Glow organic white tea - Gives an amazing lit-from-within glow with potent antioxidants from the combo of white tea + superfruits

Your favorite culinary spots? 

Too many to name! Some of my faves include ABC Kitchen and Sons of Essex in NYC, and Cafe Gratitude, Moon Juice, and The Butcher’s Daughter in LA.

Where does your credit card get the most use? 

Uber and Whole Foods

What do you love most about your work? 

I love knowing that our brand adds a touch of quality to people’s lives while improving their health and overall wellness. I’m proud of creating a business built around improving the lives of others.

Your motto in life: 

Dream big. Then set goals and go get them; take it all. No one is going to hand it to you.  

Your morning ritual: 

Wake up > check emails on my phone > make a large pot of Haute Body green tea > yoga > shower > head to my office in Soho

Your (real life) hero and why: 

My parents. They were both entrepreneurs and somehow managed to accomplish everything they set out to do in life, while loving every moment. They are the type of people I strive to be and my inspiration to live my life to the fullest every day. 

Cocktail of choice: 

A tea-infused cocktail, of course. There’s a restaurant + bar in Indianapolis, Usual Suspects, that has created the “Big T” cocktail: Hendricks Gin, Big T NYC Baby it’s Cold Outside organic black tea-infused syrup, fresh lemon and lavender. It’s complex, delicious and (bonus!) has healthy antioxidants.