A day at the tea "office": Grateful to be part of the Fortunate 500 (plus)

 

Barb's Tea Service at the office:  Chris and Barb on assignment/afternoon tea.

Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life.

That optimistic adage sounds good, but, for those of us who love what we do, it's a bit misleading. There's always work. 

I've had my own tea business for over twenty years and I do love it. I love presenting tea talks on a variety of topics, I love penning my blog and Substack page, I love podcasting and I love writing for specialty magazines. However, like any other job, there's commitment, preparation, requirements, deadlines, and, yes, even stress. Ultimately, though, it is rewarding and a great deal of fun.

BTS typical day at the office, podcasting at the studio.

I was reminded of the joys of my "job" when I recently posted a photo of my husband, Chris, and I at a fancy tearoom during our visit to another state.  I captioned it "another day at the office". It was figuratively true - I was there on an "assignment" to write an article, but it struck a chord with many folks. It generated a lot of "likes" and support. 

I have to admit, it's great place to work, but it took awhile to get there . . .

For a quarter of a century, I clocked in at a real office at a Fortune 500 company (although, shortly before I left, they slipped to being an "almost" Fortune 500 company). In a colorless cubicle wonderland, I reviewed documents, held conference calls, and wrote thousands of emails. And, yes, it was every bit as exciting as it sounds.

There were of course, perks. I received a good and steady paycheck, met friends I still hang out with today and. . . well, yes, I think those were it. 

But, wait, there's more to love!

Before my twenty-five corporate years, I taught Marketing part-time at two Michigan universities. It was a great fit when our kids were young, and like my tea business, it was a job I truly loved - though with grading term papers and exams, it, too was plenty of work.

Beyond the colorless cubicle wonderland, BTS office is spectacular.

Looking for more fulltime opportunities, I eventually left the classroom, but not without a takeaway. I found I had a passion for research and public speaking. Teaching inspired me to become a tea educator and set me on the path to Barb's Tea Service. 

Yada, yada, yada. . . 

I made the move to big business and after twenty-five years, I retired. (Oh, and I love that, too.) 

I didn't receive the classic "gold watch" parting gift, but instead I was gifted something precious in that precious metal family:  a Wedgwood Renaissance gold teapot.  It's beautiful and symbolic - I was ready for the next chapter.  At this point, I was perhaps a bit "mature" for a rebirth, but I was definitely repositioning - more time for tea, more time all the things I love.

My Wedgewood renaissance gold teapot, beautiful and symbolic.

In a coming-full-circle-moment, the fancy tea room/"office" Chris and I occupied this month served up delicious tea fare, wonderful service and their teapot? It was Wedgwood Renaissance Gold. 

My former occupation provided me with a lovely 401k, some of the best besties a person could have and a most elegant teapot.  But, with my tea business, I am truly grateful for being part of the Fortunate 500 (plus):  I have a job I love and an office that's spectacular.