8th January, 2009: A New Year and a New List
The New Year is upon us…time to reflect back on the year we just finished. What we did well and what we could have done better. I always hope my list of what I did well can somehow overshadow what I could have done better but often they are too close for comfort!
Anyway, I am not a big New Year’s Resolution kind of gal but I do have a list of things I want to strive to achieve in 2009 and here they are:
1. Be more patient…not my strong suit at times
2. Take more time for myself…not feel like every minute I need to accomplish something (sure… this one is an exceptionally long “long shot”)
3. Cherish every minute with my children, both are in High School and the minutes are ticking until they are both out of the nest (I am truly dreading that time in my life)
4. Stay as focused on the company as I have been to date…I believe the success of Bigelow Tea is very much based on my 100% commitment (and a cadre of outstanding team members). I don’t want to ever think I am not giving these employees everything I got!
5. Never lose my love of life and people…it is truly a gift that I need to appreciate daily
6. Keep drinking lots and lots of tea…it is my business and it feels good
Okay lets review these in 12 months and see how I do!!! I feel pretty good about 3, 4, 5 and 6…but 1 and 2 …well it is a new year…
Cindi Bigelow
Posted by Cindi at 6:00 am | Comment (0)
26th December, 2008: Glad to be Back thanks to Bigelow Tea!
Okay I think for the first time I might be over “tead”….is that a word? I picked up a lovely virus last week and trying to cure it myself starting drinking 6 to 8 cups of tea a day. You name it, I was drinking it (of course of Bigelow Tea only)…herbal, green, black, sometimes two bags in one cup, combos you can’t even dream of. Did it make feel me better? Sure…it still took me several days before I was finally myself but 50 cups in 6 days is even too much for me.
I am delighted to now be back and following my normal ritual of just 3 cups a day! One thing I can say, I drank flavors of ours I had forgotten even existed! Wow, glad to be back!
Cindi Bigelow
President
Posted by Cindi at 11:14 am | Comment (0)
18th December, 2008: Time for a Cup of Constant Comment Tea
Christmas is almost here…the economic conditions are not looking fabulous. Now more than ever I want to make sure I am doing the best job possible for this company. I have always been so proud of each one of our teas, as if every one is like delivering a new child, but now more than ever, it is about the employees.
I hear so much about companies, large and small, that have to let go people or worse, close down completely. I have always been highly motivated to exceed everyone’s expectations (anyone close to me here can attest I am like a large bolt of energy that comes into the office every day), and in this economy, I am no different. My family has always cared about the employees (I call them our shareholders) but it means even more today.
I am THRILLED our company is selling lots of tea, has all kinds of new ones on the way and other neat “projects” in the hopper. I went to a seminar the other day where they asked me “what do we do within Bigelow Tea to survive these challenging times”…my answer? Planning and a clear direction that began 10 years ago. Fortunate for us after 63 years we are in a very strong position….I am going to darn well make sure we keep it that way. Time for a cup of “Constant Comment.”
Cindi Bigelow
Posted by Cindi at 6:41 am | Comments (3)
11th December, 2008: The Kettle is Starting to Whistle
Yes, it is cold outside…that is very good. I can hear the kettles starting to buzz all around the country. Today I am sipping on one of our new organic teas, Rooibus kissed with sweet Asian pear. It is delightful and to me having a warm cup of tea is what makes winter truly winter! I love the snow; I love the cold and I love to hear the kettle start to whistle….I am looking forward to a great season….cheers
Cindi Bigelow
Posted by Cindi at 6:15 am | Comment (0)
26th November, 2008: Thankful this Holiday Season!
If what is happening in the world market and throughout the United States does not help give us all balance, then nothing ever will. This holiday cannot be about boxes and bows and gifts and cards…we have to learn to go back to basics….family, love, friends and peace. We have seen market devastation like almost nothing before. The jobs lost, the wealth destroyed, the level of concern on everyone’s part is beyond anyone’s wildest dreams. I am promising myself and my family, this holiday we will appreciate everything we have and everyone we have in our life. Every message I give to the employees I tell them we are so fortunate, the business is strong and their jobs are safe.
We are truly lucky in so many ways….I vow to keep that as my guiding light throughout the holidays (and hopefully throughout 2009).
Cindi Bigelow
Posted by Cindi at 6:00 am | Comments (2)
20th November, 2008: Being honored by the Boy Scouts was an honor!
I had the best luncheon last week…I was honored with the Boy Scout of the Year award. Yes that is right, I won the “Good Scout” award for 2008 for our area (along with two other distinguished individuals in which I was proud to be a part of). The Good Scout award is presented to those who are good role models for the community (it must have been the Bigelow Tea Community Challenge that caught their eye…I must not be the only one who is proud of how much we raised for local charities!).
At 48 ½ I am now part of the Boy Scouts….I like that! But in all seriousness, what a great organization! They do such fine work in our community. To be chosen for this award was really special for me. I have to say, of all of the awards I have been fortunate to receive in my lifetime, this one means a little something extra!
Cindi Bigelow
Posted by Cindi at 6:00 am | Comment (0)
17th November, 2008: Win a Trip to our Charleston Tea Plantation, Tell Your Constant Comment® Story!
Do you ever catch yourself reminiscing about special moments over a cup of tea? At Bigelow Tea, we love hearing your stories. That’s why we want you to share your favorite “Constant Comment” tea story for a chance to win a trip to our very own Charleston Tea Plantation.
Orange rind and spice and everything nice!
By December 31, 2008, enter your story in the “Tell us your favorite ‘Constant Comment®’ tea” Contest. The stories that make us laugh or cry the hardest will win!
To All “Constant Comment” Tea Fans,
It is funny, everywhere I go, people like to tell me their favorite memory wrapped around drinking “Constant Comment” tea. The stories usually involve a person sitting around a table with a loved one and having a moment together while sharing a cup. Even the person’s body language changes when they start telling me about their past experience with this special tea. That is how we got the idea that it would be great to invite all of you to share with us your own “Constant Comment” story. Lets rekindle some of those warm moments in your past and bring back some of the beautiful heritage of this unique tea created by my grandmother in her kitchen.
Please enter our “Tell us your favorite ‘Constant Comment®’ tea” during November and December 2008. The stories that either makes everyone laugh or cry the hardest wins a wonderful trip to visit our Tea Plantation in Charleston South Carolina. So take a moment for yourself, sit back, reflect and tell us your favorite story around drinking a warm cup of “Constant Comment” Tea. Cheers to “Constant Comment”
With warmest regards,
Cindi Bigelow
President and Granddaughter of founder, Ruth Campbell Bigelow.
Contest Rules
- No purchase necessary.
- Stories must be original and unpublished. Must be the work of the contest entrant.
- 100-word minimum, 500-word maximum.
- Stories are to be emailed to contest@bigelowtea.com and the story must be included in the body of the email. Stories sent as email attachments will not be accepted.
- You may enter multiple stories, but only one of your stories can be included among the winners.
- Story emails must be received by December 31st 2008.
- Contest open to legal residents of the United States. Employees and consultants of Bigelow Tea are not eligible.
- You agree to adhere to these rules and the judges decisions.
- Winners will be announced no later than 60 days after contest ends.
- Winners will be notified by email.
- Winning stories will be used without limitation on www.bigelowtea.com and/or www.bigelowteablog.com.
- Prizes are nontransferable.
- Void where prohibited. All federal, state and local laws and regulations apply.
Posted by Cecilia at 6:00 am | Comments (2)
7th November, 2008: Bigelow Tea Supports National Wildlife Federation (NWF)
“Do the right thing and good things will follow,” says Cindi Bigelow, President. Bigelow Tea is proud to announce its support of National Wildlife Federation’s mission.
Bigelow ® Tea was started by my grandmother back in her kitchen over 60 years ago. Today it is still 100% family owned and operated. One thing that has never changed at Bigelow is the understanding of our corporate mission is more than just producing the finest tasting tea. It is also about caring for our employees and for the communities around us, both globally and locally.
I share a simple philosophy with all those around me… “Do the right thing and good things will follow”. And it doesn’t have to always be “big things” either. Yes, some of our programs are quite expansive, like our $1.5 million solar panel project recently installed on our rooftop, but many are individual in nature. For example, we now bring in our own tea mugs instead of using disposable cups each day in order to cut down on waste. Large or small, all of us at Bigelow believe that every step is important.
To that end Bigelow Tea is proud to announce our support of National Wildlife Federation’s mission. Bigelow recognizes the critical mission of this organization. The very significance of educating and inspiring Americans to connect with nature, combat global warming and protect and restore wildlife habitat cannot be overrated. It is through partnerships such as these that we will make this world a better place. Together… we can all make a difference.
Wishing you and your family much joy and warmth this holiday season,
Cynthia R. Bigelow. President
Join Bigelow Tea in protecting wildlife for our children’s future. For more on what else Bigelow Tea is doing to further conservation, check out our Environment News.
Posted by Julie at 6:00 am | Comment (0)
28th October, 2008: Natural Expo East
Just came back from a trade show in Boston called Natural Expo East. Had a terrific opportunity to spend the week with my sales team, the marketing group and getting to meet old and new customers. I cannot tell you how valuable that show is for me. I always question if my team needs me to go and can I afford the time. Then I question how many customers I will really get to talk to….and after the show is over, I just say “thank heavens I went!”
Before the show starts, I so enjoy the day long meeting with my sales team listening to what they need, learning about what is happening in the marketplace and hearing about what I am doing that they think needs to be reexamined. I also cannot share with you how much I get from listening to my customers during the show… small, medium and large accounts all have great value. Hearing this feedback helps me formulate what I need to be doing to satisfy what they need to grow their business…I find the three show days to be so invigorating. I love the energy of the show and the people. I have to say one of my favorite parts is how much I get a chance to laugh with my team. It is so important to get out of the office in that kind of open environment, removed from the daily “issues” we each face so that we can just enjoy being with each other.
It was a great 4 days and I have to say, after listening and chatting with hundreds of people, I feel very good about our company and our direction. We recently just became the most popular green tea sold in this country. I am delighted that more and more consumers are finding Bigelow their tea of choice. I truly believe it is going to shows like Expo East and connecting to the people whom I had an opportunity to spend time with is helping drive us forward!!!
Cindi Bigelow
Posted by Cindi at 6:00 am | Comment (0)
21st October, 2008: Hooting and Howling for the Bigelow Tea Customer Service Team
Just finished up National Customer Service week and what a fun week it was. This is a week for all companies to honor all those critical individuals that bring in the orders and enhance the customer’s experience with a company! We have, as I am sure many companies do, a super CS (customer service) team lead by an amazing positive guy. They did such a good job of making it a true celebratory week. They served breakfast and homemade lunches, they sent out daily emails sharing with all the employees some of the critical facts on what our CS dept does each year.
I made sure I went in and did my daily “hooting and howling” followed by hugs for all. Yes it was a fun week. I actually miss it. I went in to the CS dept today and said how much I missed the celebration….they told me I was welcome to come in “hooting” anytime….maybe I’ll just do that….woo woo woo!
Cindi Bigelow
Posted by Cindi at 6:00 am | Comment (0)
