1. Finding Target Customers
Tea business can be started with a lesser investment that can be targeted to customers in metro cities, as well as smaller cities and remote villages. Starting a tea business can be also termed as a Small Business Idea that can be run and managed by women entrepreneurs. Therefore, business owners need to finalize on serving the type of customers residing or working in specific locations or areas.
2. Starting a Tea Stall or Franchise Business
The amount of investment decides whether a business owner wants to open a tea stall or franchise business. Tea stalls can be started with low investment, as compared to franchises wherein more money is required to be invested. Franchise business models help business owners in promoting and selling various types of tea that can be served from tea bars or counters. Some of the popular tea types include Green Tea, Herbal Tea, Cardamom Tea, Black Tea, Fermented Tea, Iced Tea, Aroma Tea, Kesar Tea, Tandoori Chai, etc.
3. Components required to start a Tea Stall/Business
Tea making process can be completed only if these equipment, utensils, and raw materials are handy, such as Tea itself, Tea making utensil, kettle, LPG cylinder, stove, serving glasses, glass holder, milk, sugar, water, tea powder/masala, other related ingredients, etc. Additional to these, laborers or workers are required to serve or deliver tea to several places like shops, markets, offices, complexes, commercial locations, etc. as per the requirements.
4. Searching and Finalizing a Location/Area
Location decides the fate of the business, whether it will be a success or failure. It plays a vital role in almost every business, so it is recommended to thoroughly research before finalizing any location for a tea stall or franchise business. If it’s a tea stall then a small area can be sufficient to start, however for a tea bar approximately 500 sq. ft. area is essential to place and operate equipment, utensils, and raw materials. Sitting arrangements can be made according to space or location.
5. Legalizing your Tea Shop Business
To legalize the business there are certain permissions and licenses to be obtained from respective authorities are mentioned below:
a) Finalizing a Name for your Tea business
Make sure that the finalized name does not match any already registered company or enterprise in India. It should be a unique name and only related to the concerned business.
b) Company Registration
Small to medium tea stall businesses can get registered as a Sole Proprietorship or Partnership Firm, if applicable. If there is also a ‘Partner’ involved, then the firm can be registered as a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) or Private Limited Company registered under ROC.
c) GST Registration
Obtaining a GST number is compulsory to start a tea business as per GST law defined by the Government of India.
d) MSME/SSI Registration
Micro-Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME)/ Small Scale Industry (SSI) registration allows any registered business entity to avail government schemes and subsidies under certain guidelines mentioned under MSMED Act, 2006.
e) Obtaining a Trade License
Trade License is state-specific that shall be obtained from the particular state where the tea business is about to set up and commence operations.
f) Getting Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) License
Getting FSSAI License is mandatory for any business, enterprise, or business entity engaged in manufacturing, processing, production, or distribution of food items.
