Contestant's Case to Win

I started my company, Naja Tea a bit over a year ago to share my love for this drink with the world. But my passion for tea began much earlier, when I was a young girl age 6 or 7 being raised by my grandmother, Ella.

Before I was born, my grandmother had worked two laborious jobs and raised seven children on her own without the type of support system me and many of us are blessed to have today. It was in her DNA to make lemons out of lemonade and never did she complain about her circumstance. Instead, she continued to work hard to eventually become a business owner and a respected member of her community that many would come to for food, assistance, or simply for a moment in my grandmother's unconditionally loving presence.

By the time I came along, Ella was still working hard to maintain her household, but each morning she would begin the day with the solace of a peaceful and nurturing ritual.

A part of that ritual that I became impressed with was having a cup of soothing tea and drinking it with a self-nurturing intensity that said, "this is my moment." Through these mornings, tea became a symbol of a lifestyle that I cherished.

My company has been about sharing this lesson of creating self-nurturing rituals through purposeful moments with others. We have grown from being in a small local grocery store to providing the teas for Trump National Golf Course and other retailers, restaurants, and wholesale companies.

My grandmother's influence taught me to give back to your community, and each month we provide iced teas for non-profit events and organizations that cater to other female entrepreneurs who are building their own empires.

I am now the mother of a spirited 9 year old boy who has patiently worked along-side me to build this company from the ground up. Each morning our day begins with a similar ritual of a simple breakfast with a nice cup of tea. My son is learning every day that his health is a combination of physical, mental and spiritual care.

I came from a "Leading Mom in Business", and now I have become one by helping others in the same way that Ella, my grandmother did for me and so many others.

Thank you for the consideration.

Warm regards,

Naja Hayward