Unique Online Kissimmee Based Tea Retailer Wins Grand Prize in International Business Competition

KISSIMMEE, Fla. --- Luhse Tea LLC, an innovative online retailer of Luhse (loose) teas, a spice blend, and tea accessories that supports the brewing and consumption of Luhse tea won the $1,000 grand prize in the international “Tell Moo About You” business competition sponsored by online printing services Moo USA (usa.moo.com).

The contest---and Luhse Tea’s grand prize---has already brought international recognition and immediate response to the firm, said co-founders Mindy S. Ferris and Brittney M. Wholihan

The mother-daughter team, who call themselves “The Dames,” launched Luhse Tea last December with a 1920’s prohibition theme, designed to promote the use of “Luhse” Tea over traditional tea bags.

“The Dames,” developed their approach while traveling the world and experiencing cultural differences as a military family.

The catchphrase for their marketing campaign — “Get Luhse” — aims at giving tea a new face, said co-founder Ferris.

“The Dames are revamping tea’s stodgy image,” Ferris said. “Our philosophy of tea drinking is simple. Every sip’s a trip. For a few moments in one’s hurried day, we can be transported to another place. Luhse Tea believes every consumer deserves the best, and we are committed to giving it to you.”

In January, Luhse Tea was featured as “site of the day” AWWWARDS.com, based on the site’s design, creativity and innovation.

In February, Shopify, the company’s commerce platform, began using Luhse Tea as a featured example on their website, and blogged about the company’s effective logo.

“We want to free your tea from the mass produced confinements of stodgy-brand teabags,” Wholihan said.

To learn more about Luhse Tea, visit www.luhsetea.com or follow Luhse Tea on Twitter @LuhseTea, Facebook, www.facebook.com/luhseTea or the Luhse Tea blog at LuhseTea.com.

Luhse Tea is a University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program company based in Kissimmee.

About the UCF Business Incubation Program
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 200 emerging companies (including more than 134 current clients) create over $363 million in annual total economic output and more than 3,120 new jobs (taking direct and indirect and induced impact into account) with an average salary of $59,000. With ten facilities across the Greater Orlando community, the Business Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development among the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Apopka, the City of Winter Springs, the City of Sanford, Lake County, the City of Leesburg, Osceola County, the City of Kissimmee, City of St. Cloud, Volusia County and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. For more information about the Program and its clients and graduates, please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu and UCFBIP on Facebook, on www.facebook.com/ucf4bip.