It’s been just a little over 20 years since I lost my brother Johnny to suicide, and not a day goes by where I don’t think of him. Johnny and I were incredibly close, and losing him was the most painful experience of my life. In fact, the trauma was so overwhelming that I think my brain just shut down to protect me. I don’t remember much about the months that followed Johnny’s death—I was in a fog, feeling numb and completely isolated.
I knew what grief and depression were in theory—I could define them if someone asked—but to truly know them is to feel pain so deep and unbearable that it makes you question your own existence. I spent most days going through the motions. I would go to work, come home, lay in bed but not sleep, and cry endlessly. I tried to bury my pain in food, but nothing helped. I remember one morning, after another sleepless night, sitting in my room, staring at a collection of prescription medications my doctor had given me. I found myself thinking about how many pills I’d need to take to sleep long enough to forget it all.
What I didn’t realize at the time was that I was contemplating suicide.
Fortunately, with the love and support of my family, I found my way to the path of hope and healing. It wasn’t an overnight fix, but it was the start of my healing and recovery. I began volunteering at my local crisis hotline, where I eventually became a manager and trainer. I also became one of the founding board members and Board Chair of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Southeast Texas chapter. I’ve flown all over the country to share my story as a survivor of suicide loss, advocating for suicide prevention and mental health awareness. But my journey didn’t stop there. I knew I wanted to do more—to make a bigger impact.
How The TwenTea Company Was Born
For most of my career, I worked in the nonprofit sector and always envisioned starting a nonprofit organization. After I got my Master's Degree in 2018, I began learning more about social enterprise and social entrepreneurship—the idea of a for-profit business having a social purpose. I fell in love with the concept. It spoke to me in a way that nonprofits hadn’t before. I knew I wanted to start a business that not only supported me financially but also helped others in a meaningful way.
I read Start Something that Matters by Blake Mycoskie, the founder of TOMS Shoes. His story of starting small and building TOMS into a social enterprise powerhouse completely inspired me. I was sold on the idea of building a business with a social cause, and I knew immediately that my cause would be suicide prevention. I’d already been an advocate for over a decade at that point, so it felt natural to combine my passion for this cause with my new business venture. But there was one problem: I had no idea what I would sell or do. I just knew that whatever it was, it needed to be affordable for me to launch, in demand, and, ideally, connected to the cause in some way.
In 2017, I had my “aha” moment! I was having lunch at this cute little tearoom in Houston, enjoying a cup of tea, when it hit me—tea! The tearoom was always busy when I visited, and I drank tea like it was going out of style. It was my go-to when I needed to relax and melt my stresses away. That’s when I realized that tea could be the perfect product for my social enterprise.
After doing some research, I discovered that tea is the second most consumed beverage in the world. Four out of five Americans drink it daily, and the tea industry is worth $12.5 billion. That’s when the idea for The TwenTea Company was born—a social enterprise that uses the power of tea to support suicide prevention.
Why Suicide Prevention?
Suicide prevention is deeply personal to me. Johnny’s death changed my life forever, and I don’t want any other family to experience the pain we went through. I also know firsthand how difficult it is to heal from a suicide loss, and I don’t want other families to struggle to find help the way I did.
That’s why 20% of The TwenTea Company’s profits go directly to suicide prevention organizations, local crisis hotlines, and awareness campaigns. I think about the impact we could have—reaching 4 out of 5 Americans with tea, providing them with the resources they need to help someone in crisis, and donating a portion of every purchase to suicide prevention efforts. The thought of it gives me chills.
Why Tea?
Tea is more than just a product—it’s a ritual, a moment of calm in the chaos of everyday life. Tea has this magical ability to bring people together and promote well-being. In fact, the health benefits of tea are one of the reasons I fell in love with it as a product. Tea reduces stress, improves mental focus, and increases energy. It’s good for the body and the soul.
And beyond that, tea is a tool for connection. How many times have you heard someone say, “Let’s have a cup of tea and talk?” That’s because tea creates space for conversations, for connection, and for healing. And that’s exactly what we need when we’re talking about suicide prevention—connection. The Suicide Prevention Resource Center states that positive social relationships and community connections are key protective factors that help buffer the effects of risk factors in people’s lives.
In other words, inviting your friends over for tea doesn’t just help you de-stress—it improves everyone’s mental well-being. Tea fosters connectedness, and connectedness is one of the most powerful ways to prevent suicide.
Moving Forward with Purpose
The TwenTea Company is my way of turning the pain of losing Johnny into something purposeful. It’s my way of giving back to the community and ensuring that no one feels alone in their darkest moments. Every cup of tea we sell represents hope. Every purchase supports life-saving work. And every connection we foster through tea helps to build a world where no one has to suffer in silence.
I am so proud of the work we’ve done, and I’m excited for what’s ahead. Together, we can brew hope, sip life, and create a world where support is always available. If you’ve experienced the loss of a loved one to suicide, I want you to know that you’re not alone. There is help, and there is hope.
If you’d like to support our mission, please visit our online store on The TwenTea Company website. Together, we can make an impact, one cup of tea at a time.
Comments