Meet Danielle Smith

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

Hi Danielle, what is the most important factor behind your success?
The most important factor behind the success of Carolina Holistic Tea Farm has been staying absolutely true to quality—in both how we grow and how we craft. Every herb used in our blends is grown right here on our farm in Swansea, South Carolina. We cultivate, harvest, and air-dry each herb ourselves to preserve its natural healing properties. This level of care allows us to create blends that truly support the body—not just taste good.

Before I ever blend a tea, I take the time to study each herb individually—its actions, its benefits, its historical uses, and how it interacts with the body. My education has played a big role in that process. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Business Marketing from the University of South Carolina, which gave me the foundation to launch and grow the brand. Later, I pursued a Master Herbalist diploma from the Centre of Excellence, which helped me fully understand how to formulate herbal products with real wellness in mind.

That balance between formal education and hands-in-the-dirt experience is what drives our success. We’re not here to mass-produce trendy teas—we’re here to grow real healing from the ground up and offer it with purpose, clarity, and integrity.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Carolina Holistic Tea Farm is more than just a tea company—it’s the result of years of hard work, intentional living, and a deep desire to bring healing back to the heart of everyday life. We are a family-run herbal tea farm in Swansea, South Carolina, where we grow our own organic herbs and craft small-batch, purpose-driven tea blends that support the body, mind, and spirit.

What sets us apart is our commitment to quality from the ground up. We grow nearly every herb we use, right here on our land—less than one acre, carefully cultivated with love. We hand-harvest, air dry, and blend every tea ourselves to ensure the healing properties are preserved. There’s nothing mass-produced here. Every decision we make is grounded in herbal knowledge, traditional practices, and a desire to help others feel better naturally.

I’m most proud of the integrity behind our products. Before I ever create a blend, I study each herb for how it interacts with the body. As a certified Master Herbalist and a business graduate from the University of South Carolina, I bring both herbal education and business strategy to what we do. That balance—of science, tradition, and purpose—drives every product we offer.

Getting to this point hasn’t been easy. Like most small businesses, we’ve had to build from the ground up, often juggling farm work, homeschooling, and business operations all in the same day. There were times when I questioned if I was doing the right thing or if people would truly understand the value of handcrafted herbal teas.

But I kept going because I believed in the mission. I believed in the plants. I believed in our story—and I believed that there were others out there who needed what we had to offer.

Some of the biggest lessons I’ve learned along the way are:

Consistency matters more than perfection.

Connection with your customers is everything.

You can’t do it all—ask for help when you need it.

And most importantly, stay true to your purpose even when it feels like no one’s watching.

What I want the world to know is this: Our story isn’t unique because we started a tea farm. It’s unique because we reclaimed our health, our time, and our way of life—one herb at a time. Carolina Holistic Tea Farm is about empowering families to take their health into their own hands using the gifts nature already provides.

We are proof that you can start small, stay rooted, and grow something beautiful—something healing—not just for yourself, but for your entire community.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend were visiting our part of South Carolina, I’d want to give them a true taste of Southern hospitality, natural beauty, and farm-to-table goodness. Here’s how I’d plan a perfect week:

Day 1 – Farm Life & Fresh Air
We’d start right at our homestead in Swansea, where they’d get to meet the chickens, goats, and cows—and maybe even help me pick fresh herbs for tea. Nothing beats the peaceful rhythm of farm life to reset and reconnect. Then we’d have a simple homemade meal using vegetables from our garden, paired with a fresh cup of one of our signature herbal teas.

Day 2 – Explore Columbia
A short drive takes us to Columbia, where we’d check out the Riverbanks Zoo & Garden for a fun, family-friendly adventure. For lunch, we’d head to McAlister’s Deli, a local favorite for delicious sandwiches and salads made with fresh, local ingredients. In the afternoon, a stroll through the historic Congaree Vista District would give us a chance to browse art galleries and unique boutiques.

Day 3 – Foodie Day in Charleston
No Southern visit is complete without a trip to Charleston, about two hours away. We’d spend the day exploring the historic downtown, eating classic Lowcountry dishes like shrimp and grits at The Crab Shack on Folly Beach or seafood at Charleston Crab House. Later, a walk along Waterfront Park and a visit to the City Market for handmade crafts would round out the day.

Day 4 – Nature and Outdoors
We’d head to Kiawah Island for a day of exploring shops, beachcombing, and maybe even spotting some wildlife. It’s a stunning island with untouched beaches and great places to eat. I’d plan a lunch at a local grocer, The Station Deli. Of course, some of our herbal teas for a relaxing afternoon by the ocean.

Day 5 – Local Markets and Coffee Shops
Back closer to home, we’d visit the local Livestock Market and the nearby Columbia Farmers Market to check out local produce, handmade goods, and maybe snag some fresh honey or jams.

Day 6 – History and Culture
We’d take a trip to Historic Downtown Columbia to tour Historic War sites and learn more about South Carolina’s rich history. Dinner would be at Longhorn Steakhouse in Columbia, a family favorite in the heart of Columbia in a historic building.

Day 7 – Relax and Reflect
Our last day would be slow and sweet. Maybe a morning drive to a nearby safari drive-thru, then a homemade brunch on the farm with friends and family. We’d finish with a tea tasting featuring our blends, sharing stories and laughter as the sun sets over the fields.

This itinerary blends the best of farm life, Southern culture, great food, and nature—all things close to my heart. It’s a little bit of everything that makes this region special, and I can’t wait to share it with anyone who visits.

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?
Without question, I want to dedicate this shoutout to my husband, Adam. He is the backbone of everything we do on our farm. From the very beginning, he has supported my vision for Carolina Holistic Tea Farm and made it possible for me to pursue my dream of starting and growing this business.

Adam works full-time to provide for our family, yet still finds the time and energy to help with anything I need—whether it’s building what we need to keep the farm running smoothly, fixing what breaks, or stepping in on the farm when I’m juggling the business side of things. He’s the one who turns ideas into reality—turning soil, building infrastructure, and standing behind me every step of the way.

I also want to recognize our children, who have been involved in every part of this journey—from planting herbs and harvesting in the summer heat to helping package orders at the kitchen table. They’ve shared this vision with love, patience, and enthusiasm.

Truly, this dream would not have grown without my family. They are the heart behind everything we do at Carolina Holistic Tea Farm.

Website: https://www.carolinaholisticfarm.com/

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carolinaholisticfarm

Other: https://agriculture.sc.gov/sc-agribusinesses-get-business-training-funding/

Carolina Holistic Farm, LLC

@carolinaholisticteafarm

Image Credits
Danielle Smith – Carolina Holistic Tea Farm