Small Business Spotlight: Shari’s Tea
Published on July 23, 2026 | 4 min read | Webster Bank
Shari’s Tea, of Long Island City, N.Y. is one of two second-place prize winners in Webster Bank’s first national Small Business Week contest, which attracted participants from New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
Shari’s Tea, founded by tax attorney-turned entrepreneur, Shari Linton, offers specialty teas that source high-quality ingredients from around the world to create custom loose-leaf blends and travel-friendly tea products that promote wellness.
Webster Bank had the opportunity to learn more about Shari as she shared her small business’ journey, highlighting the challenges she faced and how she plans to utilize a $5,000 grant from Webster Bank.
“Without sufficient capital, we are forced to pace our growth conservatively rather than seizing opportunities as they arise. This grant will directly address that gap, accelerating our ability to create deeper community impact and build a truly sustainable business.” – Shari Linton, Owner, Shari’s Tea
Q: What are the main challenges to your business?
A: As an early-stage, woman-owned small business, securing adequate funding remains our greatest obstacle when attempting to grow our business. We are progressing rapidly and view this as a challenge that we are ready for, rather than a struggle. Limited access to capital has constrained us in many ways, including the ability to purchase inventory and equipment and hire staff to host Events by ST. These beloved company-sponsored experiences provide tea tastings and mobile tea cafés and are powerful marketing tools that enhance our brand and product visibility.
Q: How will you use this grant to grow your business?
A: After receiving this recognition and grant, I feel blessed that Webster Bank saw something special in my small business. We have planned to strategically invest this grant money into inventory expansion.
First up, we’ll use the funds to scale production of our custom wellness loose-leaf tea blends, focusing on our bestsellers, Caramel Black Tea and the Cucumber Lemon Herbal Blend. This will allow us to meet the rising demand from online stores and retail partners, fostering a better relationship with our customers and improving our profit margins.
I’m also happy that now I can stock inventory for an exciting milestone. Shari’s Tea products have officially been approved to be sold as airport concessions! Not just in New York City, but nationwide. Starting this month, our products will be in LaGuardia Airport.
We’re taking off, literally! This is a huge step in expanding the reach of our small business.
We are so grateful to have received this grant from Webster Bank to assist us in this thrilling transition.
Q: How does your business create economic vitality in your community?
A: We support our communities through direct investment, intentional local partnerships and programming that puts opportunity and resources back into the hands of our neighbors.
We partner with the New York City Summer Youth Employment Program to employ local interns who gain real-world business experience and earn an income in their own community. We are also very intentional in where we spend our money. We take pride in using local businesses and artisans when sourcing food, ingredients and products for our events. These include a local beekeeper in Harlem for honey and neighborhood bakeries and vendors throughout New York City. We view every purchasing and hiring decision as opportunities to keep money circulating within our local economy and to uplift our neighbors and small business owners in a shared marketplace.
Shari’s Tea & Events by ST doesn’t simply operate in Long Island City, Queens. We are woven into it. Every event we host, every vendor we hire, every intern we employ and every workshop we teach is a deliberate act of community investment.
Q: In what ways does Shari’s Tea give back to the community?
A: We partner with local nonprofit organizations to host community events and provide product donations, helping extend our reach to populations that may not otherwise have access to premium wellness products. Through these partnerships, we support women’s shelters, community organizations and other underserved groups in our community.
In addition, we host a local makers market in Long Island City that brings together artists and small business owners in a shared marketplace. This event creates direct opportunities for local vendors, increases foot traffic within our community and strengthens the connections that support our neighborhood’s creative and entrepreneurial economy.
Webster Bank is delighted to raise a cup to support and celebrate the success of Shari’s Tea, a thriving small business that provides quality products and plays a vital role in our communities.
