26b Zhena Muzyka Speaker Bio

Speaker Bio Zhena Muzyka – Zhena’s Gypsy Tea From a Tea Cart to a National Brand Brewed with Social Good Zhena Muzyka, Founder/Mistress of Tea of Zhena’s Gypsy Tea, one of the pioneer supporters of the Fair Trade Model, will share how they work directly with small growers and out of the way tea gardens to effect change by providing these workers with healthcare, guaranteed maternity leave, childcare, literacy, better working conditions, and autonomy. A single mom with less than $6 in her wallet desperate for money to pay for her son’s life saving kidney operation, Zhena Muzyka put her experience in aromatherapy, a deep love for tea, her Gypsy grandmother’s teachings and a small collection of money from friends & family to work. Embracing her lore rich Ukrainian Gypsy ancestry, she began offering her custom teas from a cart on California street corners, believing that selling her tins of tea could alter fate. It turns out she was right. Fast forward to the present: Zhena’s son Sage is a healthy, growing boy and Zhena’s Gypsy Tea is a thriving, minority woman-owned, purpose driven brand, whose goal it is to make a difference in people’s lives by offering premium teas and sustainable goods that benefit health, protect the environment and support humanitarian efforts. A Roma Gypsy by heritage, herbal medicine practitioner, and fair trade activist, Zhena formulates organic, fair trade and Biodynamic tea blends and herbal tisanes to both improve both health and vitality, Zhena uses flowers, herbs and spices in medicinal form to enhance her flavor forward blends with aromatherapeutic health benefits, creating a following of loyal women who love her pure flavors and exotic combinations. As one of the early pioneers of the Organic and Fair Trade movement, Zhena’s company doesn’t just market products, it markets meaning, with a commitment to social responsibility, sustainability and the well-being of others. Taking Fair Trade to the next level, Zhena’s Gypsy Tea is engaged in self coined ‘Direct Trade’ model, one based on personal, long term, reciprocal relationships with the plantations that grow her to tea to ensure reliable prices, a secure supply and a steady source of income for the communities whose livelihood depends on an otherwise volatile global tea market. Working directly with small growers and out of the way tea gardens, Zhena personally visits her tea gardens in Sri Lanka, India, China and Africa to ensure their fair trade dollars are put to work to provide healthcare, guaranteed maternity leave, childcare, literacy, better working conditions, and autonomy, with a focus on women and children, a cause near to hear heart and based on personal experience. With the goal of alleviating poverty in developing nations through fair trade, Zhena has become a purveyor of hope in the guise of a successful, triple bottom line business.

1305 S. Elm Street, Suite 209, Denver, CO 80222 USA 303-512-0808 http://www.strategyforgoodsummit.com

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