Foodpreneur

Foodpreneur:

Marshall Malone

About the Foodpreneur: 

I have an eclectic background, starting in restaurants at 13, working in my parents real estate business, moving into sales/marketing as an adult.  After 16 years in broadcasting, I wanted to get back into food.  I spend a great deal of time learning the trade and have decided that I will enjoy a full working knowledge of tea when I am 83.

 About the Portsmouth Tea Company Biz:

Portsmouth Tea is the less-caffeinated, more relaxed cousin to the gourmet coffee world.  We enjoy taste as much as a frugal indulgence.  Founded in 2005 we embarked upon a quest to search the globe for the finest collection of teas available.  The company draws upon New England’s rich tea history and collects and blends the finest teas in the world.  Portsmouth Tea seeks to bring people together through the simple beverage that is tea.

Portsmouth Tea's exceptionally high standards of quality, taste, and innovation results in unique healthful blends that can be paired with the finest cuisine and far surpass the taste of other teas. Each tea is packaged in their signature black and silver tin making for an ideal kitchen staple or gift for any tea lover.

 Founded:

2005 

Number of Employees: 

Currently Portsmouth Tea has 3 full-time employees on staff as well as several seasonal personal. 

Clients: 

FAO Schwartz, The Peanut Factory, Popovers Cafe, specialty gourmet food stores, over 100 bed and breakfasts nationwide

Marketing Strategies: 

Portsmouth Tea thrives by word of mouth. We strongly believe in good customer relations and that they are the primary medium for our growth.

Marshall knew Portsmouth Tea Company was a hit when: 

After we created our first few teas, we tested it in a variety of home parties.  Everyone was wild about what they were tasting.  That's when I knew.

In the News: 

Real Simple Magazine (Dec. 2007), Daily Candy (Jan. 2007), Fosters Daily Democrat, Portsmouth Herald, Boston Globe, Country Accents Magazine, Portsmouth Magazine, Fresh Arrival, Woman’s Daily, The Tea Scoop, New Hampshire Union Leader, Montana Standard, Better Homes and Gardens, The Wire

 Why is Marshall in the Food Business?

I grew up on the Red Neck Riviera in Gulf Shores, AL picking crab out of the water and cooking it fresh.  Food is a major aspect of the culture and I enjoyed every morsel, washing it down with gallons of iced tea.

 Words from the Wise (what you don't like about the biz):

I don't like it when my mistakes put the company's future in jeopardy.  I seek advice on a regular basis from people that have successfully lived out my value system.  I also avoid banks whenever possible.  They lack vision.

Final Thoughts from Marshall: 

Portsmouth Tea will begin setting up our franchise operations in 2nd quarter of 2009.  We are certain it will be
an opportunity that you won’t want to walk away from.

Contacting Portsmouth Tea Company: 

Portsmouth Tea Company
36 Canal Street, Suite 202
Somersworth, NH  03878
(877) 397-9541
Website:  Portsmouth Tea Company