Really high - quality tea does not necessarily have to be of Ceylon or English origin. Ukrainian blends are also to the taste of gourmets. And that's why, that herbs for tea are filled with healing powers of nature, smell of peace. And the main thing, grown with soul - yes, as craft creators of an ecological brand RICHKA.
The founder of the brand spoke about the inspiration to revive Ukrainian aromas and bring back the tradition of using healing herbs RICHKA Svitlana Chub.
Svitlana Chub is from Poltava Oblast. It's there, where the heart of Ukraine beats, where the classic of national literature Kotlyarevskii was born and where the river Vorskla flows over the fertile lands. It was Vorskla who suggested Svitlana, madly in love with the river and its picturesque banks, brand name. And strength, what kind of woman fills this place, inspired to create.
Brand RICHKA is a family affair. Svitlana and her husband started it during the Coronavirus epidemic. So they made up their own occupations, and an idea useful for people began to be implemented.
"We wanted to introduce Ukrainians to the culture of using natural essential oils and traditional herbs.In Ukraine, this niche is not very developed.And people, who take care of their own health and lead a conscious lifestyle, should know, how to choose natural ecological products",- says Svitlana Chub.
His first round RICHKA takes from the production of essential vegetable oils. Their natural aromas improve physical health and psycho-emotional state, improve the quality of life, make it more ecological and conscious.On the basis of essential oils, Svitlana then made aroma diffusers for cars and hydrolates - vegetable liquids, which have proven themselves well in daily skin care.
Subsequently, when RICHKA gained strength ,the range of the brand was supplemented with herbal teas.And the company learned to overcome the first challenges.
Svitlana Chub surprises:although she has not been working on the product for the first year, but the sales are gone now, during a full-scale war.
"I just started working more,- shares the secret of Svitlana's success.- First, only-but there was an invasion,I went to the West of Ukraine.And when I understood, that we ourselves, everyone in their place, we have to do something for our country, took off the rose-colored glasses and returned home".
And spring called to work on the land.A woman does not just collect plants for essential oils and herbal teas with her own hands.She cultivates and grows them herself on her own farm.This work is painstaking and expensive.All herbs are lavender, mint, chamomile, thyme, calendula, Altai, valerian, echinacea, calendula, lemon balm and others - grown from seed to harvest, some of them need for this 17 months. In accordance, the products are not cheap, but it is guaranteed high-quality and environmentally friendly. Besides, concentrated - will be enough for a long time.
People buy from people
All herbal fees, which were from the pre-war season, Svitlana distributed to the military.The case required new forces and a greater return.Already when new results appeared, RICHKA went to the people.
"I started promoting my products.INPoltava is a "Hub City",where they organize interesting events for crafters and collect funds for the Armed Forces.That's where I became famous with my brand.Then there were all-Ukrainian festivals and fairs, and we also took part in them.- says Svitlana. –The best advertising is communication with people.Until I went to people and announced myself, business development was to be expected".
Svitlana Chub has six original blends of tea.All of them are officially registered and are in demand in retail chains and restaurants.But the trademark of the brand and the favorite collection of producers is "Emerald Distance" - the first blend, in which chamomile is harmoniously combined, mint, lavender and mallow. Actually, mallow and gives royal green tea-blue colour.
"People don't believe.They think, there is some chemistry, Svitlana laughs.- But they are all natural components.Natural colours saturate better than artificial dyes".
Quality of life, which we all aspire to
The woman does not have the education of a marketer, but never shy to discover new things for himself, take over the experience.Studying aromatherapy, phytotherapy and other related sciences, Svitlana is simultaneously trying to write grant applications, is interested in social entrepreneurship.He dreams of providing educational institutions and rehabilitation centers with tea and wants to support the school of the Shcherbaniv community from the first of September, in which she studied.
"The plans are grandiose.I want to produce a lot, increase sales.After all, craft products are not just tasty, it is of high quality.Homemade in the market is homemade, but no one knows, under what conditions everything is made.Manufacturers put their soul into their work.Craft is a quality of life, which we all aspire to.Besides, we pay taxes, we fill the budgets, we give people jobs. We during the season, up to ten people work,- says Svitlana.- I created this business, because it's interesting to me.Now I want to earn money too".
Writer: Iryna Shatalova
