In November 2015, Tiarica Randle started Genius Tea in Memphis, Tennessee, aiming to harness the healing power of nature.

Producing natural teas, lemonades, supplements, and salads, Randle’s business began as a personal mission to help her niece with a breathing issue.

Starting with a turmeric blend in a mason jar, it quickly grew into a thriving business thanks to community interest and Randle’s passion for natural remedies.
Starting with a turmeric blend in a mason jar, it quickly grew into a thriving business thanks to community interest and Randle’s passion for natural remedies.

As the business grew, so did the challenges. The storefront became too costly, forcing Randle to sell from home. Genius Tea was losing money every month, putting Randle’s personal finances at risk.

The financial strain worsened with eCommerce struggles and unsynchronized revenue streams. Randle faced operational inefficiencies and lacked centralized systems, making it hard to track inventory or understand her financial situation.

Enter Communities Unlimited (CU) and the Entrepreneurship Team’s Management Consultant Tracy Cook. Cook’s mission was clear: to provide the financial and operational restructuring that Genius Tea desperately needed.

Cook noted that they identified a personal wealth goal to bring extra income into the household
Cook noted that they identified a personal wealth goal to bring extra income into the household

The first step was to improve Randle’s understanding of her business’s finances. She had no financial statements, incomplete bookkeeping, and no training in financial management. Cook provided comprehensive bookkeeping training, helping Randle generate and understand financial statements.

With the bookkeeping training, they were able to create financial statements and develop financial projection scenarios to achieve their sales target.

This financial restructuring was paired with a strategic overhaul of Genius Tea’s operations. Randle had been using simple systems like Cash App, which weren’t suitable for comprehensive business management. Cook introduced her to Square, training her to centralize operations, track inventory, and streamline her eCommerce platform.

She now envisions a bright future for Genius Tea, with plans to improve product labeling, expand into stores, and continually scale her business.
She now envisions a bright future for Genius Tea, with plans to improve product labeling, expand into stores, and continually scale her business.

“Before I started working with Tracy, I was having a hard time zoning in on my business plan,” Randle admitted. “We worked on my business plan several times. He helped me know how much I was making or spending here and there aside from writing a few notes and relying on receipts. Now, everything is itemized. I know how much I’m spending on every item and how much is coming back in.”

The transformation was remarkable. Genius Tea’s sales margin soared to over $17,000 in 2023, a 3.5x increase from the previous year. The gross profit margin improved from -24.5% in 2022 to 57.9% in 2023. This success was due to meticulous bookkeeping, efficient inventory tracking, and a user-friendly eCommerce website.

“I love making tea,” Randle said. “I love making the teas and lemonades, and when people come back and tell me how they feel after having a cup or a glass of lemonade, they have more energy. It’s like the beginning of a ripple effect for some of my products.”

Randle said Cook’s patience, knowledge, and the resources from CU proved invaluable.

“I tell Tracy, ‘I don’t know how I found Communities Unlimited,’” Randle said.

“It was like one day he called and sent an email. He was like, ‘We can help you.’ And I'm like, ‘Are you serious?’ I have just been along for the ride and am so grateful for his help.”

— Tiarica Randle, Owner Genius Tea

What began as a mission to help a family member has blossomed into a thriving business. With support from CU and Cook, Genius Tea transformed from a struggling startup into a profitable enterprise with a structured, scalable business model.