T-We Tea wins Micro-enterprise of the Year!

Christopher Coccagna with Working Solutions CEO Emily Gasner

Delectable tea blends from T-we Tea

Congrats are in order for entrepreneur and tea maven Christopher Coccagna, owner of T-we Tea! T-we, a two-time Working Solutions loan client, was honored with the San Francisco Economic Development Alliance's Micro-enterprise of the Year Award for his incredible growth! 

Christopher is a graduate of Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center's Business Planning class, and received his first loan from Working Solutions in 2011 to expand his home-based tea business by purchasing inventory, equipment, and developing his website. He opened a shop in San Francisco's Crocker Galleria in 2013, and has since expanded into a larger space in the galleria and begun selling his products at Urban Outfitters! Christopher hand-blends his artisanal teas, whose unique flavors are reflected by their whimsical names, like 'Chai Hard', 'Flailing Princess', and 'Earl Grary Cray'. 

Working Solutions' Business Consulting Director Lorena Roman nominated Christopher for the annual award, saying "Christopher is  a great example of an entrepreneur taking advantage of the many resources available to local businesses, and using them to develop a sustainable growth strategy."

Christopher received his second loan from Working Solutions in 2014 to acquire more inventory for his larger retail space, and he is thriving in the new location!  Since 2011, Christopher has taken advantage of Working Solutions' Entrepreneur Connect services, including the mentorship program, holiday gift fair and legal resources,  and has created 2 jobs!