Tea & Tequila: Fusing colourful Mexican culture with British design

Sourcing and exporting products that embody the rich and colourful culture of Mexico, Sarah Goodwin and Millie Wilson have seen their small trading company Tea & Tequila go from strength to strength since launching in 2014.

Designing and importing a range of products that include furniture, gemstone jewellery and clutch bags, the University of Bristol graduates have also been able to provide jobs and income to local communities in Mexico. Business Advice spoke to the girls to find out more about their exciting brand.

(1) Who are you and what’s your business?

We are Sarah and Millie, founders of unique company Tea & Tequila Trading. Bringing some of our favourite bits of Mexico to the UK, we design and import our own branded products, such as fashion and travel accessories and jewellery, as well as homewares like the traditional Acapulco chair. We also distribute a brilliant Mezcal brand Mezcal Amores.

(2) How long have you been around for?

For just over a year. We launched our company at the end of 2014, but began working full-time from 2015.

(3) How do you make money?

We sell our products via our ecommerce platform and retail our designs through boutique stores and certain restaurants in the UK.

(4) What makes you different and why should people take notice?

We are only a two-person operation. One partner Sarah is based in Mexico City where she focuses on designing, sourcing and working with artisans and producers to get the products ready for sale in the UK.

Millie, our London-based partner, takes on the roles of selling, distributing and managing the company from the UK. We also take on each others roles at times when we are in the other country travelling or visiting.

Together, our skill sets and strengths make for great team work. We have a dynamic work ethic and we are constantly involved in what the other one is doing and working on, despite being located on the other side of the world.

(5) What was key in terms of getting started?

Sarah had lived and worked in Mexico after having studied Spanish and spending some time there during and after her degree. When she found the perfect partner in the UK, the company began. Weve found it’s been crucial having the partners working together but in different locations due to logistics.

(6) What’s your biggest achievement to date?

Having some noteworthy celebrities interested in our brand has been a big boost to confidence. Weve had the honour of making bespoke products for the likes of Chiara Ferragni, Rhianna and Natasha Oakley, for example.

(7) What setbacks have you had along the way