Meet Kristina Walden-Hillard | Tea Artisan, Ritualist & Wellness Advocate

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kristina Walden-Hillard and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kristina, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
When I left my job to pursue my business full time it was important to me to try not to recreate the demands of my previous work life while pursuing success in my own business. The “9 to 5” model of work was not necessarily applicable to me as a business owner, nor was it conducive to the lifestyle that I was trying to create for myself. Part of the reason that I decided to pursue my entrepreneurial ambitions was to create a more balanced, holistic lifestyle, that included having more control and flexibility in my schedule. This doesn’t mean that I don’t ever put in long hours, work hard or have a lot on my plate, it just means that I don’t subscribe to the commonly accepted notions that you have to “hustle” or “grind” to achieve success. It also means that I am more conscious of the ebbs of flows of each day, and instead of resisting them I try to flow with it. Some days start early and end late, and some tasks require significant time, energy (physical and/or mental) and attention, but I find balance by adjusting my schedule as needed, prioritizing time to rest and recharge, and creating space for creativity. I’ve learned that as a person and as a business owner that sustainability is way more important to me than getting to the “finish line” fast. I want to be around making an impact through my business, products and services for as long as I wish, so creating a work-life that is sustainable day-to-day is critical to my well-being, productivity and long term success.

What should our readers know about your business?
My sister and I are the co-founders and owners of Soul Stir – A Tea & Wellness Company. We specialize in crafting and curating artisan teas and unique tea & wellness experiences. Our company’s mission is to promote self-care, wellness and community through the practice of tea ritual.

As tea artisans and wellness advocates, we carry out our mission through the delivery of our signature tea brand, KēWi Teas™ (which features all natural, eco-friendly loose leaf teas and handcrafted beverages), facilitating tea ceremonies as self and communal care experiences, and educating about how tea/tea practice can help to support holistic wellness.

The decision to establish our company and create our brand was easy, because it was divinely assigned; however actually building it from scratch has been a process. The journey hasn’t necessarily been hard, nor easy. There has been a lot of alignment and signs pointing us in the right direction, but we’ve definitely had challenges (e.g. funding, learning curves, supply chain issues). However, I expected that there would be things that would come with ease and others that would require learning and overcoming. Our ability to be flexible, pivot, and remain creative all while staying true to our vision and mission has proven helpful throughout our almost 5 years in business.

Like all businesses we’ve had highs and lows, but making a lasting impact is what motivates us. If we can help people to slow down and experience greater well-being by taking time out to enjoy tea, then we are doing our job!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We would definitely go to the beach. My sister and I were born and raised in Coastal Va, where we returned to start our company. Our area has tons of beaches with different vibes, and plenty of open spaces to enjoy nature, so hitting a favorite beach and park would definitely be on the itinerary. Also, we are major foodies, so we are definitely going out to eat – a lot! Our area has lots of diverse food options, including plenty of great plant-based and veg-friendly restaurants, so we’d go out to explore our local food and beverage scene. And, of course we’d have tea! We’d take them to check out one of our local cafe partners, treat them to a personal tea ceremony or have some friends/family over for a little tea time and conversation. Overall, I’d check my guest’s vibe and curate an experience accordingly. I love entertaining and helping people to enjoy life!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My sister and business partner, Erin “Ra” Walden is my creative partner, company co-owner/founder and favorite collaborator. Together we are The Soul Sisters of Tea™. We’ve created and accomplished some amazing things together over the years, and I am grateful for her partnership, talents, ideas and contributions.

Website: www.soulstirteawell.com

Instagram: @soulstirteawell

Facebook: @soulstirteawell

Other: Above is our company website and social media to learn more about our mission, founders and services. Also, our tea brand site and social media is – www.kewiteas.com, @kewiteas on IG and FB