Over A Cup of Tea

Tea wasn’t something Katrina Anderson expected to shape her career. It began with her father, who drank tea daily in honor of his own grandfather.

“The men in my family introduced me to tea,” Anderson says. “My dad picked it up from my great-grandfather, who drank it every day. That’s how I came to it as a young girl.”

Her experience defied the traditional stereotypes of tea. “People think tea parties—women in hats. For me, it was my father and me, talking about the news or history over a cup of tea.”

That early connection deepened over time. A chance visit to a tea shop revealed a world of varieties and rituals and raised questions about who tea is for. Anderson began to reimagine it as something more open, more inviting.

“Hospitality comes naturally to me. I’m a pastor’s daughter from a military town in Virginia—we take care of people. Tea became a way to do that with intention.”

What started as interest became momentum. She hosted pop-ups across the city, built a brand, and began considering a full-scale business. Her acceptance into the ProsperUs 2008 cohort marked a turning point.

ProsperUs is a Detroit-based organization and BfWA Member. They support entrepreneurs through place-based economic development and by offering training in business planning, network building, and leadership.

Anderson’s venture grew from an unknown concept into a thriving business. CommodiTEAS is now serving clients like Warfare, Macy’s, and Walmart. Scaling to meet that demand was critical and ongoing.

“ProsperUS has been instrumental from the beginning and still supports our growth today.”

The path hasn’t been easy. Anderson navigated the pandemic, shifted to wholesale, and secured a permanent space, each of which brought unique challenges. But she remained focused, and she encourages others to do the same.

“There are resources out there. Organizations want to see us succeed. We just have to keep going.”