Meet Keywa Henderson Thomas | Tea Maker & Natural Health Enthusiast

We had the good fortune of connecting with Keywa Henderson Thomas and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Keywa, what is the most important factor behind your success?
The most important factor behind my success and the success of Key’s Teas is that Key’s Teas is an extension of me – my deepest passions, my commitment to and belief in natural health and wellness, my heart to positively impact the lives of others, and my overall desire to encourage people to become more aware of and take an active role in their health and the health of their families. Key’s Teas began as my response to my then one-year-old daughter getting sick in daycare – and eight years later continues to be what we use in our home and happy to continue offering to others of all ages locally and nationwide. So, the see success of a product I make lovingly by hand that’s so near and dear to me means a great deal! Also, to see success in such a personal product that is safe for little ones, expecting mothers, seniors and many taking various medications is an important factor – as being inclusive and serving a broad population for preventive health and natural intervention means a great deal. These would be my primary most important factors behind the success of Key’s Teas.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My career, by day – as I still work full time – is a Director of Communications for a government agency. I have worked in the communications field for close to 20 years and completed my undergraduate and graduate studies at the University of South Carolina, Columbia. I love all things communications from career to personally – and is a field that is surely an extension of who I am from a child (with many stories from family lol) to adulthood. I believe all my educational and career experiences are truly a contributing factor to how I operate my business, Key’s Teas. From branding, stellar customer service, creative thinking, and more – it has been more than beneficial and a harmonious extension of my career. I believe I have gotten to where I am today, with of course much more to come (as personally I feel like I have just begun and have much to accomplish) – is a heart to serve, zeal to live out my passion, ability to connect with and inspire others, excitement for life overall, “always do extra” (never the minimum – exceeding standards), and certainly my no-quit, push to you get it done attitude. I love to challenge myself, be a forever-learner, and in most cases don’t take “no” for answer. All of these characteristics combined with my love for humanity, drive, passion and spiritual grounding I feel contribute to where I am today professionally and personally. Getting to where I am today I certainly believe is the opposite of easy! I have had to overcome many challenges and continually have to press through challenges – managing a full time career, being a mother and wife, managing my own businesses, carving out time to simply enjoy life, be active in my church and community and more is a challenge in itself. From time-challenges, physical/health challenges that I have had to overcome, and much more have all made me a stronger and more determined person. I have overcome all challenges through depending on God, leaning on my village, keeping my mind and heart focused on and declaring victory in advance, and always being thankful for what I “do” have! What I want the world to know is that Key’s Teas is truly a part of “me” – not just a business. It is a mission – it is my passion in a jar – and I will continue to offer a high quality, unique and inventive product and brand for as long as I live!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well, first thing’s first – FOOD, lol! I am a true foodie and connoisseur of delectable eats – many healthy but also some that abandon healthfulness and true indulgence! I would have breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert fully fully planned. We would also certainly have some type of dance outing planned – I LOVE “Chicago-style Stepping” along with many Latin dances (bachatta being my favorite). My greatest and favorite hobby is dancing. I would dance for a living if I could and make tea lol! So, they better bring their dancing shoes and be ready to sweat! We would also have to see (and smell) something stunning and lovely (likely outdoors) – whether that’s going to a beautiful park, taking a nature walk and talking, visiting a lovely furniture or decorating store, a festival or cultural event (which I LOVE), we just have to enjoy some of this goodness. I would say these are the three must-do’s and we must take lots of pictures and videos along the way to capture these wonderful memories I know we will make and be able to re-live this experience for a lifetime!

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?
I would like to recognize my parents, grandmother, Chief Cornita A. Riley and God for inspiring me to shoot for the stars and pursue my passion. My parents truly are my biggest earthly inspirations from childhood to present day. Deacon Willie C. Henderson and Gwen Henderson raising me in a home full of love, structure, encouragement, spiritual grounding and guidance, loving two parent home (married almost 40 years), focus on education, acceptance of my zealous personality, and support in every season of my life (true ride or dies) has forever shaped my mind, heart and zeal for life. They are true gems in my life and the lives of all they touch. I simply would not be the person I am without them – I don’t know an man, woman or couple who can compare to their character and love. My maternal grandmother (Leila Mae Gibson), whom I grew up very close to, was a true inspiration in being a strong, independent, go-getter, outspoken, driven, forward-thinking, paid, community-focused, family-focused woman. She was a woman WELL ahead of her time that didn’t mince words, was the heart of her community, owned businesses, owned land (which remains in the family), employed many in the community, lead political efforts locally, and left a legacy that will forever live (even having a road named after our family in the Low Country of South Carolina – Gibson Road). “Business Keywa”, “Outspoken Keywa”, “Stand up for myself Keywa” are truly a testament to the in-comparable Leila Mae Gibson. Chief Cornita A. Riley, the first black female Chief of Corrections for Orange County Corrections (in Orlando, FL), was and remains a true present-day influence in my life. Her achievements, philosophy, personality, spiritual grounding, mentorship, fierce boss out of the home but total wife and other in the home, and her approach to life and belief in seeking your highest level of success is amazingly inspiring. Even as a supervisor, she encouraged me to pursue Key’s Teas and was actually the person who inspired me to begin bottling and offering Key’s Teas to others. She and her husband were sick and I encouraged her to try this concoction that I make – well it worked and she said, whatever that is, you have to offer this to the world! Within a few months, Key’s Teas was born! Last but not least, I would not be who I am today without God! He is my guiding light, my comforter, where I get the supernatural strength to make Key’s Teas all times of day and night (and wear the many other hats I wear daily) – many ask, “How do you do it all?”, “Where do you get all this energy?”, the only answer is God, my passion, and my drive for success as a woman, mother, child of God, and one who desires to leave a rich legacy.

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