In March 2018, Rhonda began reaching out to tea importers to order organic leaves and products from sustainable farms. She felt it was vital to put her name on only good quality products that she would feel comfortable giving to her own family, so she worked to find local companies that offer employees a livable wage, engage in fair trade practices, and sell organic products. She also made it her mission to give back 10 percent of her profit on every sale, and she became a member of the Pennsylvania Veteran Farmer Project and the Governor’s Council for Female Veterans. Joining with these organizations, Rhonda was able to find local, female-veteran–owned farms to support, including helping to fund a horse farm that offers equine therapy to military veterans, donating portable fencing for a local chicken and pig farm, and most recently, contributing $1,000 to a Pennsylvania farmer that grows tea and fresh produce for the local community. She has also worked with numerous nonprofit organizations, including the Military Women’s Memorial, in which she provided tea to be served at an Afternoon Tea Celebration for the 100th anniversary of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
What began as a small company that only sold six of the most common teas, including a breakfast tea and Earl Grey, now produces many blends, ranging from her most popular classics like Green Beret–Moroccan Mint to exclusive flavored blends like Chow Hall–Apple Cinnamon French Toast. Along with single blends, The Skirted Soldier sells sampler packs, which are a wonderful way for customers to taste an array of new, seasonally flavored blends. Members of the Tea Tasters Task Force can get exclusive sneak peeks at upcoming new releases and receive monthly newsletters.
During the pandemic, Rhonda noticed a rise in online sales for her tea blends. This inspired the idea to host Virtual Tea Party Packs, in which participants sign up to receive a link to a private Zoom call with their friends, loved ones, and the owners of The Skirted Soldier. Guests describe their tasting preferences and are sent a hand-selected assortment of tea to taste while safely enjoying the company of friends from the comfort of their own home. Rhonda developed this idea with her own friends in mind. “After leaving the military, you have friends that are sometimes all over the world. This gives you a way to connect with them,” she explains.
Although Rhonda has collected numerous accolades in quite a short time with her business, she does not work alone. The Skirted Soldier is a family affair, with her husband, a fellow veteran, working as its shipping department, her daughter assisting with the technical and digi- tal aspects of the business, and her son helping with the marketing. “I couldn’t pull this off without [my family’s] help, especially during the holidays,” Rhonda notes. With a lofty list of goals, including finding a way to give back to fellow female veterans and providing products that she feels good about giving to her family, Rhonda has created a brand that helps benefit all those around her while also delivering scrumptious cups of tea.
For more information about The Skirted Soldier’s products, go to skirtedsoldier.com.
Discover more seasonal recipes, table settings, and teatime inspiration by ordering your TeaTime subscription today!
1 COMMENT
LEAVE A REPLY
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
I love this tea. I have several blends a nd like them all. My sister-in-law found this as she is an Air Force veteran herself and we both love tea. Wonderful product, Ma’am.