Meet Alexandria Wilkins | Business Owner & Yoga Teacher

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alexandria Wilkins and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alexandria, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Before starting any business I consider five factors; 1. Does it align with my greater purpose? 2. Am I passionate about it? 3. Does it bring me joy/inner peace? 4. Can it positively impact others? 5. Does it have the power to leave a legacy for the next generation? Since a little girl my mother has nurtured my entrepreneurial spirit. I watched her operate as an entrepreneur and I naturally gravitated toward that lifestyle. This took me on a path to start a babysitting business, a cleaning service, an event planning company, a yoga brand, and now a tea company. At the time of launching N.O.L.A Herbal Tea LLC, I taught yoga as a form of self-care, to help reinforce self-love. I was able to provide a healing service by creating space for individuals to connect with self. This challenged my inner business woman to create healing products that serve as natural remedies and Nurture. Our. Lives. Accordingly (N.O.L.A). I was confident that my love for tea and the ample benefits would keep me passionate, even in times of fear and uncertainty. Once I realized that botanicals have the ability to foster wholistic health, I made it my duty to create tea products that taste good, smell good, and make the consumer feel good inside and out. N.O.L.A is here to encourage and enlighten individuals and communities embarking upon a healthy lifestyle. We aim to make self-care easy to achieve and enjoyable to maintain.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?

N.O.L.A is a tea company that produces and distributes organic cold brew and dry botanical tea blends. We are studying herbs that have the power to serve as natural healers for the whole body. We are eager to learn and develop marketing strategies that impact the increase of tea consumption. Our relationships with leading herbalists and neuropsychologists set us apart in giving us a leg up in the care and intentionality that goes into creating healing products. We are excited about operating our mobile tea truck, so that we can reach more communities. We are proud to be a company that fosters healthy lifestyle habits.

A lesson that we have learned is that “collaboration is key in uplifting the community” so we take pride in sourcing locally, distributing locally and giving back locally.

This journey has had its obstacles, specifically pertaining to capital. Which is why it’s important to have at least 6-9 months of savings and some form of passive income before completely committing to full-time entrepreneurship. Large capital can be the determining factor in the time spent in the “start-up” phase. Which is also why we recommend having a solid business plan that is strategically mapped out and tracked.

We want the world to know that self-love / self-care is part habit and part choice. From what you put into your body and allow into your ear and eye gates, is pivotal in your ability to operate as your optimal self. Our blessings are in the will-power to be disciplined. So when you decide to start honoring your temple, we’ll be here to supply you with the best herbal tea blends. We have plans to open wellness learning centers in Georgia and Barbados that will foster self-love and personal development. The centers will offer everything from yoga classes, to cooking, and agriculture classes.

“ Your body is your life vehicle, keep up with the maintenance.”

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Food & Dessert Wadada Healthy Market & Juice Bar
Tassili’s Raw Reality Cafe
Green Love Kitchen
Hebrew Bakes
Toast on Lenox
Spice House Restaurant & Lounge

Outdoor Adventures
Botanical Gardens
Stone Mountain / Park
Arabia Mountain National Heritage Park/Trail
Cascade Springs Nature Preserve
Atlantic Station
The Underground
Starlight Drive-in Theater

Chic Shops / Work hangouts
Black Dot Cultural Center, Bookstore
1010 Artisan Collection Conyers
The Legacy Center-Coworking Space
The Gathering Spot ATL
Green Lady Wellness Center

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My story is full of main characters who have played a major role in fostering my entrepreneurial journey. – God is the MVP for downloading such dynamic and rewarding passions into me
– My mother Robin who is my biggest cheerleader who fostered my first business venture
– My sister Moriah who plays the role of a business advisor/mentor
– My best friend Clarissa who sees the bigger picture in every business idea I attempt to explain why I need to start yet another business
– My professor David Brown from Temple University whose eyes light up with joy when I share even the smallest progress. “ Your not just a planner, you’re a doer that plans ” – DB
– My Black Dot community of forward thinking entrepreneurs
– My dear friend Desire who speaks life and positive affirmations into me daily
– My man Mohammed who stimulates my mind and reinforces my ability to show up as my best self
– My nieces, nephews and God children who I feel a duty to not only be a positive representation for, but also build a legacy for them to have opportunities to thrive from in their lifetime.

Website: https://nolaherbalinfusion.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nolaherbaltea/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/_prettygirlalle

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYR01PqZP_rilm1xQ_0jefg