Give us the details! Tell us a bit about you and the story behind Lake & Oak Tea Co.?
I’m Meredith, the Founder, Nutritionist and Product Developer behind Lake & Oak. We are an Ontario-based wellness brand that makes Superfood Teas & Adaptogen Blends that taste as amazing as they feel.
The idea to start Lake & Oak was inspired by some mental and physical health struggles I was experiencing in my own life. In 2017 I was a nutrition practitioner and managing some nagging symptoms of anxiety, and digestive trouble. With my background in food and passion for natural healing, I went on a mission to create herbal tea blends that would naturally and effectively soothe a variety of health woes.
The ultimate goal was to create tea blends that checked the boxes on functionality, aesthetics and flavour (or else what’s the point!?)
Your sustainability story and what it means to you.
With all of our products and business practices it’s a must to provide a low waste solution to drinking tea and enjoying self-care. Our full line of Superfood Teas & Adaptogen Blends are available in loose leaf format (no plastic tea bags here!) and refillable glass jars.
Last year we launched our Low Waste Tea Refill Program across Canada with a great response! We are so excited to work with eco-friendly retailers that offer this program in their stores. It’s a thrill to see customers bring their own containers, try out our products, and enjoy the benefits (economic and environmental) of the program. Many eco-minded stores continue to pop up in Canada and it’s thanks to an (amazing) demand from customers.
Our sustainability story is a continuous evolution as we grow and learn from like minded individuals and businesses doing great things. Attending events like The Green Living Show (can’t wait to go back!) and visiting our eco and refillery partners keeps the conversation going about how we can all do better.
Given your experiences as a female business owner, what advice would you give to your younger self 5-10 years ago?
Start before you’re ready. You will never feel 100% ready or “enough” to begin.
Confidence and clarity grows from taking action, trying things out, growing, and yes “failing” along the way.
Fast forward five years—what is next for Lake & Oak Tea Co.?
We are working on making our teas more accessible and easy to use for all. Good tea and self-care shouldn’t be a luxury. This looks like expanding our reach, new economical packaging formats and plant-based pyramid tea bags for easy steeping!
What is the best sustainable swap you have made in the last year?
We recently moved out of our condo to a home and city with a really good compost and recycling program. As a frequent cook, it feels great to put the majority of our daily waste in the compost and recycle properly. It’s a mindful practice every week to separate everything into the different containers and a great reminder to slow down and think about your consumption.
You are shopping at the Green Living Store, and you have three other products in your shopping cart. What are they?