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In the heart of Philadelphia, a remarkable story of entrepreneurship and community engagement unfolds at Akwaaba Tea Room. Founded by Monique Greenwood, founder and Chief Enjoyment Officer of Akwaaba Bed and Breakfasts, this establishment is a vibrant hub where guests can experience the warmth of community and the joys of high tea.
Akwaaba means “welcome” in Ghana, which is fitting because not only is Akwaaba Tea Room a perfect example of hospitality in their business offerings, but also because they’ve welcomed their community in being investors in their opening!
In this blog post, we will explore the inspiring journey of Akwaaba Tea Room, its unique offerings, and the significance of local partnerships, such as the community investors who raised $99,000 on Honeycomb Credit to open the location!
The Vision Behind Akwaaba Tea Room
Monique Greenwood, the owner and CEO (That’s Chief Enjoyment Officer) of Akwaaba Tea Room, shares her passion for hospitality and community building. From the very beginning, her goal was to create a space where people could feel at home while enjoying luxurious accommodations and exceptional service.
A serial entrepreneur and owner of five other bed and breakfasts, Monique wanted to try something different that would allow her community - not just out-of-town visitors - to experience Akwaaba’s magic.
Located just a block away from Akwaaba Bed and Breakfast, Akwaaba Tea Room extends that vision of hospitality into an event space and location for visitors to enjoy high tea! In “90 Minutes of Pure Indulgence,” the stylish tea salon is a calming place where friends, multi-generational family members and those celebrating special life moments can savor a fine pot of tea while enjoying artistic finger sandwiches and savories, as well as scones and decadent miniature desserts, all served on signature three-tier trays.
The power of community investment in a local hub
What’s tea without a bit of Honey(comb) to sweeten it?
To fund the opening of Akwaaba Tea Room, Monique turned to Honeycomb Credit to find local community investors to finance the project. This allowed her community to invest as little as $100 in her vision to open the event space.
“From start to finish, the Honeycomb campaign was amazing,” says Monique. “I had an amazing coach, and it was very easy to get up and going on the platform.” Monique launched the Honeycomb campaign and soon investments began pouring in - from people Monique knew personally, former guests at her other bed and breakfasts, and random Honeycomb investors who saw what she was doing and wanted to invest in it!
“Once my community started to invest, that was really special and affirming,” says Monique.
Investor Brett Felder said, “I'm so excited to support Monique in her new venture for the Akwaaba Tea Room. Akwaaba properties are so special and I love that we all have an opportunity to be members of the family.”
“I would check out the comment section of the campaign page, and people would share why and how they came across the campaign and our brand,” notes Monique. “There are those days you question why you’re doing this, if people really get what you’re doing, and coming back to these comments reminds me why and keeps me going.”
Supporting Local Businesses Benefits the Whole Community
One of the standout features of Akwaaba Tea Room is its commitment to supporting local businesses. The establishment partners with various small businesses to provide quality products.
“We have the opportunity to partner with other small businesses to supply the items we use in our teas,” says Monique. Many items on the trays at the tea are sourced locally - from the baked items to the finger sandwiches.
This circular approach not only benefits Akwaaba Tea Room but also strengthens the local economy, creating a win-win situation for all parties involved.
As Monique puts it, “If we stick together, we all win.”
Grow Your Vision with Your Community at Your Side
Monique’s small empire of bed and breakfasts (and more) spans across the Mid-Atlantic region, but she keeps the community close - in this case, by letting them invest in Akwaaba Tea Rooms. Your small business can see this success as well - learn more about Honeycomb investment offerings by filling out the form below!
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