19th June, 2007: Bigelow Tea Builds a Home!
Just came off a great weekend with about 20 of our employees. We had a Bigelow Tea day in Bridgeport, Connecticut to help build a home for Habitat for Humanity. It is such a great feeling-a team (most of us completely unskilled but with big smiles and tons of “willingness”) working on hanging doors, putting up trim, painting, caulking, you name it. And when we were done, the family came to see our work and received a Bigelow tea chest with a name plate that monogrammed the tea chest with their family’s name. It was a great day!
One of the best things about this company is its desire to give back-not because it is good PR but because it is the right thing to do. Now I actually know how to hang a door-not bad for tea lady with zero skill sets in the building arena.
I could not be more proud of the team of people I work with every day-I am fortunate to work with them and I am fortunate we are able to do such rewarding and invigorating things like we did this past Saturday…yes, it was a great day.
Cindi
Posted by Cindi at 6:00 am | Comment (0)
13th June, 2007: A Tea Day
Out making sales calls this week. Yesterday was a great day, I have to remember that if you believe (and I know I do have the best tasting tea around) and you are persistent, you will make people see the light.
I have had some pretty hard core “nos” turn out to be some of my best supporters over time. Just got super news on an account that I have been working on for a year and a half!!! It is great when they become believers in your line as well… Yeap it was a great day.
Cindi
Posted by Cindi at 6:00 am | Comment (1)
4th June, 2007: National Iced Tea Month
June is National Iced Tea month….bet you didn’t know that! I just found out about it last year…anyway to honor that special occasion, we have put together an Iced Tea recipe contest on our website. So far we have received the most interesting recipes from consumers. You have to join in, that way we all get to try your tea ideas and you get a chance to win some fun prizes.
Everyone that knows me, knows that creating recipes is not my thing, but I am super at trying them! So I hope you will join in and submit your favorite Iced Tea recipe idea….looking forward to it!!!!
Cindi Bigelow
Posted by Cindi at 6:00 am | Comment (0)
25th May, 2007: Summer’s Breeze
Well this May has had a chill in the air and that is GOOD….keeps those tea pots still whistling. Our team is diligently working on our newest teas for next year, and they are going to be fabulous.
I will be honest, I am looking forward to things slowing down a tad over the next few summer months. It was an extremely active winter and I feel like a few “low key” days would be just what I could use right about now, so although I like those lower temperatures (for many reasons), I am ready for a few 80 degree plus days…..come on summer, I’m waiting!
Posted by Cindi at 11:33 am | Comments (3)
18th May, 2007: Life in the Tea Lane
Never ceases to amaze me how many hats I have to wear in this company-it is very fun, very exciting but it sometimes makes me laugh how many directions I go in one day!
It is very easy to get caught up in “brush fires” all day and I concentrate very hard on ensuring that I make time for longer term thinking and longer term projects. If you were to ask me, I would say I use a 40-60 rule. Not sure that is the right split for my position, but I would say I spend about 40% of my time on strategic moves and 60% on the immediate situations at hand.
It is not uncommon to hear me laughing through the halls as I scurry by on my way to the next meeting-I cannot help but be amused at the pace I often have to keep.
My parents were absolutely fantastic at turning the company over to me and my sister to run it, and when I am in my full out sprint through the building, I can see the wisdom in their decision for more than one reason. In today’s environment, you really have to be on the go all of the time….well time to head off to my next meeting…got to go!
Posted by Cindi at 6:00 am | Comment (0)
1st May, 2007: Spring is Here and Good Things are Brewing!
Spring is here…and what a winter it has been. When I look back over the last year, I am very proud of the work this company has done. We have had positive growth in all areas of business, we have introduced some of the (if not the) best tasting new teas in the market…Green Tea with Pomegranate, Green Tea with Blueberry, Spiced Chai, Spiced Chai Decaf, Chai Green, Jasmine Green, Green Organic and Green Decaf Organic (wait to hear about our newest flavors for next fall-start warming up the tea kettle), we have really focused on becoming a more environmentally friendly organization with the biggest investment being close to $2million dollars for solar panels for our corporate headquarters, but it doesn’t stop there. We have every department, every plant, every person contributing to this cause. Everyone is thinking about how they can help reduce paper, reduce waste, improve efficiencies throughout the entire organization. In addition to doing our part to support the environment, we have also continued to focus on supporting the communities in which we operate. Just one example is our annual Bigelow Tea Challenge, last September we raised close to $50,000 for local charities. This June, we are having a Bigelow Tea day to help build a home in Bridgeport. The list of things the employees participate in is mind boggling.
Yes, I look back over the last year and I am proud. Great employees, great teas and lots of positive energy. Yes Spring is here, new flowers, lots of buds, and all kinds of new ideas to keep up the momentum that I am delighted to be a part of in this company.
Posted by Cindi at 6:00 am | Comments (8)
13th April, 2007: Reaching Out
Apparently there is a lot of confusion in the press still. People are asking, because we went on the radiothon, are we advertising on Imus? Obviously this is a moot point since he has been fired from CBS, but I want to clarify my thought process.
Yes we are proud sponsors of the WFAN radiothon. We are proud to support The Children’s Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center which serves families of all races, we are proud to support The Imus Cattle Ranch which services seriously ill children of all races, and we are proud to support the CJ Foundation for SIDS which researches how to prevent SIDS and educates families of all ethnicities.
The radiothon has nothing to do with advertising. It is to support wonderful causes that need everyone’s support. I find it almost impossible to believe that anyone would want those children and families to suffer because of the unfortunate and unacceptable comment made by Don Imus over a week ago. At the radiothon, he made no excuse for what he said and I am making no excuse for what he said, but I hope that all of us, no matter what our opinion on Don Imus, can try to look for some good in this sea of pain and anger.
If you disagree with me going on the radiothon, I respect your opinion but please know that the money raised over those two days go to help children and families who are innocent of this whole affair.
Cindi Bigelow
Co-President
Posted by Cindi at 11:15 am | Comments (29)
12th April, 2007: True Leadership
Just finished being on the Imus radiothon. We have been involved in this wonderful cause for 8 years. I had a lot of people tell me to not go, it was too risky-we would look bad. I even had the press jump on me for being there “I thought you said you weren’t advertising on Imus?”. What can I say, this is for children, this is for families, this for people in need. Do I now need to think that people that are upset with him would also not want him to raise the $3 million he hopefully raises in these two days to help such worthy causes? That just cannot be, no one would say that the children and families he helps should suffer over this unfortunate situation. I have to say, he was so straight forward, so honest. MSNBC had pulled the show from airing last night after 6 p.m.-so it could not be viewed on T.V. today. He clearly told people to “stop whining” about that fact, he reminded everyone that it was because of what he said that “they were all in this position”. To see someone take such responsibility, to not hide behind anything or to look for some kind of excuse or to not try and move around the blame…well that was extremely important to me. It is quite obvious, this might be his last time on CBS (or at least that is what I hear)-well I was proud to be able to support him and proud to support the families and children he has tirelessly tried to help. The terrible statement cannot be excused, but he is saying the same thing about himself! He has one mission after the radiothon is complete, and that is to apologize to those girls and their families. He stated today on air that “no matter what I say, I cannot take away their hurt”, and he is so appreciative that they will allow him the chance to say his deep felt apology.
I said on air today that I thought Coach Stringer was setting the right tone, her ability to show such grace and forgiveness should be the guiding light we all try and follow in our lives. She is a true leader in my mind.
Well the show is over and I wish that much money is raised to do much good work…
Cindi
Posted by Cindi at 6:26 pm | Comments (37)
11th April, 2007: Cindi of Bigelow Tea Responds
To say this has been a difficult time is an understatement. The media has been relentless, the 1000’s of emails coming from opposing positions has been overwhelming-furious at us because we advertise and furious at us because we are considering not-I have not seen anything like this…anyway I want to make sure I try to do the best I can to explain our position. The media has now been saying we have “pulled” our advertising campaign. I need to emphasize that this is an incorrect statement. As I stated before, we are seriously reviewing it. But how can I not recognize or acknowledge what I am seeing come out of this whole thing? I believe Don Imus is showing great humility, I believe that we are seeing an amazing grace from the Rutgers team in their willingness to meet him. Why can’t this be something that takes us all to a higher place? And yes, based on what I am seeing, we have not made a decision.
I hope and pray this world still does allow for redemption. I realize that I (probably like Pollyanna) think Don is truly sorry for his words, that he made a terrible, terrible, terrible statement that he will actually learn from. I hope and pray the world can be a better place if we look at what we truly do wrong and reflect on how that can be “our teacher”. Yes, we will review our plan for next year. But I have to say, my heart now not only hurts for the Rutgers team, it hurts for the divisiveness that has been created in this country.
The harsh emails I am receiving does not make me think that any one side is wrong, it just makes me think we have lost touch with the word “love”- that is my inner light that is my compass during difficult times.
I know there will be people who disagree with my thoughts, but I am trying the best I can to share with you what is running through my soul.
I appreciate all of your opinions, and I appreciate you allowing me to share mine with you.
Cindi
Cindi Bigelow
Co-President
Posted by Cindi at 6:06 pm | Comments (55)
10th April, 2007: Bigelow Tea Responds to Imus
While Bigelow Tea has been an advertiser on the ‘Imus in the Morning Show,’ our company does not condone or support in any way the unacceptable comments made by Imus with regard to the Rutgers University women’s basketball team.
Bigelow Tea is a family company that prides itself on honoring and respecting all individuals.
We do support the good work and efforts Don Imus has done over the years for children with cancer or terminal illnesses, the battle against SIDS, Tomorrows Children’s Fund at Hackensack Hospital and so much more.
We are deeply saddened by Imus’ remarks. His comments in no way represent the views of our family or the Bigelow Tea Company.
This unfortunate incident has put our future sponsorship in jeopardy.
Cindi Bigelow, Co-President Bigelow Tea
Posted by Valorie at 1:29 pm | Comments (140)
