Growth and Warmth: My Journey at the Atlanta Marketplace

This week, much of the U.S. is experiencing freezing temperatures. In this newsletter, I want to share my experiences at the Atlanta Marketplace, which I attended from January 17 to January 20.

This trip to the Atlanta Winter Marketplace wasn’t centered on tea exhibitions, so I didn’t have high expectations. Instead, I approached it with an open mind to explore Made in USA products and observe current trends. Now, as I prepare this newsletter after completing the trip, I realize the experience was like a warm chai tea with honey and creamy milk—it brought warmth, comfort, and a touch of sweetness to my mind and body. Let’s get started with the newsletter.

Highlights from Atlanta Marketplace

The Atlanta Marketplace also takes place in Las Vegas, but its winter edition is an annual event. In 2025, it was held from January 14 to January 20. Many buyers make their purchases during the first three days, but I attended without much pressure, participating in the three days from the 17th to the 20th. Building 1 focused on high-end furniture, Building 2 on kitchen and home décor, and Building 3 on clothing. I spent most of my time exploring Building 2.

Day 1: Overwhelmed but Determined

The event’s vast scale was overwhelming, and my lack of preparation left me feeling embarrassed. Even introducing myself with a sales pitch felt daunting. My husband pointed out my unpreparedness, which hurt, but I took it as constructive criticism and decided to regroup. That’s when I realized how important it is to stay grounded. I reminded myself that if I couldn’t explain who I was, how could any vendor want to meet or do business with me? I ended the day by mentally practicing a simple introduction.

Day 2: Gaining Confidence and Making Connections

On the second day, I confidently approached vendors, introduced myself sincerely, and shared my passion without losing sight of my goals. I explained why I was interested in their brands, asked meaningful questions, and took a more proactive approach as both a buyer and seller. Despite the physical exhaustion, I was filled with excitement and curiosity. I learned more than I expected about trends and gained valuable insights.

Most of the participating sellers, whether large or small, were brand owners involved in wholesale. The market has changed significantly since the pandemic, with many sellers already operating on platforms like Amazon. While wholesale was generally available, not many companies allowed private-label products. In the gourmet section on the third floor of Building 2, I discovered more tea brands than I had expected.

Beyond tea, I saw a variety of products created with busy, health-conscious lifestyles in mind. This opened my eyes to new ideas. I imagined introducing complementary products to my tea brand while collaborating with great companies I met. Sharing quality products with my customers and growing together would be a beautiful story.

One standout company was Register Family Bee Farm, a family brand based in Florida. Their story emphasized that honey is the only sweet yet healthy option in a sugar-obsessed world. They create not just honey but also candles, lotions, and soaps, leveraging honey’s many benefits. Another inspiring couple from Atlanta, originally from India, makes chai tea that feels healing and rejuvenating. I was also drawn to N/UM, which produces premium African luxury salts, and TEASPRESSA, a brand that creates cocktail and mocktail flavor cubes. Their products, are beautifully packaged flavor-enhancing cubes for tea and coffee, making them ideal for gifting.

Day 3:Building Relationships

On the final day, I woke up early, reviewed the brochures I had collected, and focused on how to make the most of the remaining time. My husband and I planned to revisit certain companies to ask more in-depth business questions. One of the selected companies specialized in tea. Its two co-founders—Chandler McAnally, an experienced tea industry professional, and Dr. Niko Olympiadis, a tea researcher—provided guidance and support. Their brand focuses on deep knowledge and health benefits, which resonated with me. Their organic, FDA-approved teas gave me confidence to start a small collaboration with them.

They recommended ten types of teas with special health benefits, which I plan to order,test and study further. Meeting this wonderful company felt like a blessing, and I was filled with gratitude for the opportunity to begin such a meaningful journey.

Lessons from the Marketplace

The sellers at the event, big or small, all pursued their dreams with their unique stories. Seeing their determination was inspiring and empowering for a small seller like me. While you can learn a lot through Alibaba and online sourcing, nothing compares to the insights and connections gained from engaging directly with passionate individuals at trade shows. I highly recommend attending such events to anyone in a similar position.

Looking Ahead

I plan to document this journey in future newsletters. While the path ahead may not always be easy, I am committed to embracing every step with purpose. I’ve even restarted our Instagram account to connect and grow with you. Let’s build a community together, sharing our stories and dreams.

https://www.instagram.com/serenitea_by_urhappyplace/

May your week be filled with warmth, dreams, and tea shared with loved ones. Stay healthy and happy, and I’ll be back next week with more updates!

💌 Sharing This Journey

Do you know someone who would appreciate the warmth of a good cup of tea? Share this newsletter with them and invite them to join our journey.

 Let’s sip, connect, and grow together!

Warmley,

Bo Stanton, Co-Founder
UR Happy Place