Let me introduce myself...

Happy New Year!

So many of you are new here, I feel that I should begin the year by sharing my story, introducing myself and explaining the Tea Room to you.

My name is Joanne. I am a wife, mother of 4, step mom to 3, mom in law to 7, grandma to 13!

I adore the change of seasons and holidays. I enjoy decorating, creating and baking for those special occasions. My sewing hobby turned into a successful business shortly after I moved to Brandon in 2011.

My home is a built in 1905 Character house in Brandon’s colourful downtown neighbourhood. My four children were raised north of Winnipeg in the St. Andrew’s area. I grew up in Windsor Park, Winnipeg.

I am a survivor of domestic violence. My first marriage was not an easy one. When I separated, preparing for divorce my high school sweetheart found me on social medial. The power of Facebook. He and I were “high school sweethearts” even though we did not go to the same school. We were long distance pen pals through his grade 12 year, after his week long graduation celebration he joined the military. I spent that week with him, somewhat against my parent’s wishes, thus explaining my summer of 1985 being grounded.

For as long as I can remember I have always wanted, known that I would have my own business. It has taking me a long time to figure out, define what that business will be. Many years ago I was a part of the Creative Memories, and Stampin’ Up multi level marketing. I did very well with Stampin’ Up! So well it warranted a T4 slip, which angered my ex, thus opening my eyes to what he was doing financially without my knowledge. Initiating the separation and divorce.

Dragonfly Desires Sewing services was my first registered business. As a sole proprietor I worked from a beautiful studio that my husband built for me alongside the garage. With its three large windows to the south, chandeliers and hardwood flooring it was not what most customers expected when they came for their appointments. I began the sewing business in the house early in 2012, the business quickly grew thus needing the larger space. As we did not have a garage my husband was more than happy to build me a space within his garage. Little did he know, little did either of us know how the tea room would take over his garage space in the coming years.

In 2015, a wee grand daughter was born. My daughter went back to work early in 2016, I agreed to watch over the bundle of joy. My daughters’s part time work turned into full time work. The occasional “babysitting” turned into full time child care that I fondly refer to as “lavishing love” on my grand child. Things slowed down in the studio so that I could be dedicated to the wee one. I was a regular Montessori momma. I took full days to plan themes, activities, snacks and neighbourhood field trips. Total time teaching I called it.

As the wee one grew, her need for me lessened, I tried working in the sewing studio again. I was introduced to Christy Wright through Dave Ramsey. Christy was the spokesperson for Business Boutique. I listened to her podcasts, read her book, I did the homework. My goal was to get back into the sewing business more efficiently. Work smarter, not harder my husband often says. I learned so very much from Christy Wright. I emptied the sewing studio of craft items that had been created to sell at craft sales. I sold them at Saturday global markets. All the money went toward a trip to Nashville Tennessee to attend a Business Boutique conference. I even signed up as a volunteer so I could see behind the scenes.

My inventory flew off the table as I was selling everything at well below cost of the materials let alone the time involved. I cleaned out, decluttered the sewing studio a little. More importantly I sold enough $5 items that I paid for the trip in full, in cash. November 2018, I attended the conference. While there learning how to run my little sewing business smarter the idea was put in my head that I could start my tea room business dream.

I came home with the wheels turning in my brain. Absolutely babbling obviously because my husband missed somewhere in conversation that I was starting the tea room business while reinventing the sewing business.

Early in 2019, I registered the Tea Room business name, had a friend’s son create a logo, applied for my public health permit, took my food handler’s course. I collected all of my tea things, and most importantly found help with baking, preparing sandwiches and serving, found a space to hold the event too. March 2019 my first tea room afternoon tea party was held in what was called the medallion room at the Re-fit Center.

The space, thank you to my gypsy daughter, was decorated beautifully. So many people came, I was overwhelmed with positivity. It was hard work as we rented the kitchen across the parking lot, thus having to walk outside with dirty dishes and such. So inconvenient.

That first afternoon tea was a mere $20! Three dainty sandwiches, two delicious scones, three delightful sweets. When I look back on the simple presentation compared to the afternoon tea trays of later years, I am so proud of our growth. Humble innocent naïve beginnings. But I started. I sat on a quote by Arthur Ash “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” I had loads of tea things, I new how to bake and cook, I also knew how to ask for help. There were things I didn’t know how to do but was willing to learn.

Arthur Ash also said  “Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome.” I was doing, I was learning while I was doing.

My little tea parties moved to The First Presbyterian Church. I Rented the commercial kitchen and dining hall to host tea parties on Saturdays. The traffic grew even though I was so shy to post, advertise and promote. Word of mouth is the best form of advertising. I had the honour of hosting special occasion birthday parties, anniversaries, bridal showers and baby showers. So much fun!

Then covid hit. I had to learn how to have a tea party from a box. Where was the best place to buy these to-go boxes? I promoted “al fresco” dining, curb side pickup. It was hard, I was exhausted. I was discouraged. I was overwhelmed. Amazingly even though so much was going on, the business continued to grow. More and more guests each weekend.

A family event late in 2022 threw me into the deep end so to speak. A family wedding that my ex would be attending brought back trauma from the past, PTSD I suppose. I had to take a break. Address this and heal, although I thought I had dealt with it all years ago.

Remember early when I said “… babbling obviously because my husband missed somewhere in conversation that I was starting the tea room business while reinventing the sewing business…” My husband was not fully on board with the tea room from the beginning because I did not make my intentions clear enough. Again I was babbling. Not thinking out loud, just doing. When things got to be too much for me, he insisted it stop. I had to take care of me.

Autumn 2022-2023 I was home, soul searching, healing, redefining who I was, who I wanted to be. I resigned myself to the fact that the tea room would not happen in the capacity that I had dreamed. My heart broke, I allowed myself time to grieve, then redirected. What could I do? I decided occasional Tea With Friends tea parties at the house.

Early July 2023 I began the gigantic task of painting my home. I began on the 3rd floor. I emptied each closet, cupboard, drawer. Everything out! Then sort through the treasures, decide what stays and what goes. Marie Condo would be proud. Joy was found in the de-clutter. Autumn 2023 I held a beautiful Tea With Friends. 21 friends! More joy and delight felt.

Then in October I ran away from the family with my husband and new pup. We stayed at the Stowaway Inn for the Thanksgiving weekend. The owner of The Stowaway Inn, Gillian Sullivan, had been walking with me on my Tea Room adventure, dreaming my dream helping me with potential spaces to purchase or rent for the tea room. Now she had her dream hotel. I stayed there late in the season so as to help boost her year end numbers. Plus the autumn leaves would be gorgeous in Riding Mountain National Park.

I inquired about the restaurant space that she had allocated within the little hotel. “Why didn’t anyone occupy it yet?” She shrugged her shoulders; many had inquired about it but nothing ever came of it. She gave me a grand tour of the little space, against my husbands wishes, I must add. “Don’t give her ideas” he said.

I left that weekend the wheels turning thinking, dreaming. I spent so many hours looking at my business plan, financial projections, adjusting for this very different space. I presented my findings to my husband, gave a speech in an attempt to convince him that I could do this. He took a deep breath, then said “one last try” .

I had already attempted to move into so very many spaces, whether purchase or rent. Something always got in the way and I gave up. Whether it was public health or City of Brandon or historical societies. This was my one last try.

I messaged the owner just before Christmas, she was pleased. I was so sick over the Christmas holiday. It was worse than covid! We told all the children that Christmas was cancelled. Some stayed away, others really didn’t mind my bugs and they came over anyway. Needless to say I did not get started on the business task to get the tea room into the little hotel space.

Then in January the hotel owner was away on holiday. I didn’t get really going until February. Task after task. Week after week. Baby steps forward. Everything has taken much longer, and cost so much more than expected. It has been worth it all. Lessons learned and so much gained.

I am overjoyed, DELIGHTED  with the thought of opening in April 2025. Which brings me to a wonderful offer for all of you. To honor that very first 2019 afternoon tea party, I would like to offer 20 guests a $20 afternoon tea on opening day Friday April 4th 3pm. Please visit the web page, send me a message there to make your reservation and your non refundable payment.  This offer is open for this week only or until all 20 seats are sold out. Which ever comes first. Afternoon tea is regular $45.00

Quantities are limited so act now. There will be only 20 seats at this $20 special for 3pm on Friday April 4th opening day. Reservations are strongly encouraged to avoid disappointment.

It has been an absolute pleasure to reintroduce myself, my family, my business dream. The story of Dragonfly Delights Tea Room. I am thrilled when I image the memories that will be made at the tea room. The business exists to help you create lasting memories through the delightful experience of sharing tea.

 The goal is a 3pm opening on Friday April 4th, 2025.

See you April 4th, 3pm for the ribbon cutting ceremony

Joanne