sumthing is brewing with kim le
Interview with Kim Le, founder of Sumtea
Kim’s tea company, SumTea, has evolved from it’s blue beginnings as a butterfly pea flower based brew, to an expansion of multi hued leaf infusions that borrows from the countries we love to visit.
Kim and I first met at a local HK cafe a few years ago, to discuss product photography of her first tea range. This feels like a lifetime ago now, before Hong Kong - and the world! - changed. I’m lucky to now count her as one of my closest friends, I’m in awe of her single mindedness where it comes to her business, and its constant evolution. Here is a little bit about her!
What did you want to be when you were a child?
I wanted to be all sorts of things, but I think what stood out to me the most was being a teacher. I always liked to draw on the board, play with all the fun stickers and ring my little bell when it was morning tea or lunch time!
What did you imagine adulthood to be?
I thought it would be easy! My parents were quite traditional, so I grew up thinking that adulthood was straightforward – finish school, go to uni, get a job, find a partner, have children and there you have it, the perfect life! That was clearly very naïve thinking…
What was the inspiration behind your brand?
Inspired by the good things in life, I want to create tea blends that evoke memories, joy and wonder. Tea is often associated with wellness - and rightly so, because tea is very good for you, but drinking tea can also be about enjoying being in the moment, much like when you enjoy a glass of wine.
What’s the meaning behind the name, Sum Tea?
Sum Tea comes from one of my favourite questions, ‘Would you like some tea?’
I love puns so swapping out ‘some’ for ‘sum’ was a thrill. The name is also my little ode to HK; ‘sum’ or ‘心‘ means heart in Cantonese.
What has been the biggest challenge in your business journey so far, and how are you overcoming it?
My biggest challenge has always been staying consistent. I tend to have bursts of energy where I’ll do lots of work and be really active on social media one week, then quiet the next. I’m still learning how to manage that but I find planning ahead and batching my work helps a lot.
Any advice for people wanting to start their own business?
Just start! Get your idea or product out there, talk to people, get feedback and fine tune things as you go along.
How have you found Hong Kong as a place to start your business?
HK is a great place to start a business! I don’t know how to speak the local language, yet I was still able to find myself a local factory to help me bring my ideas to life. I’m also very grateful for HK’s small yet tight knit community, everyone knows each other and has been so supportive.
Where is home for you?
Sydney, Australia but after living in HK for nearly 4 years, I consider HK a second home.
What do you miss most about Sydney?
It’s been 2.5 years since I’ve been back, so I miss my family a lot and I really miss the beaches. HK beaches are beautiful, but I miss the big powerful ocean waves and the icy cold water – it’s so invigorating!
What do you love most about Hong Kong?
It’s a cliché but I love hiking in HK. I love that wherever you live, you’re almost always near a hiking trail and if you’re not, it doesn’t take too long to get to one. I also really love the variety; you can do a coastal hike one weekend and climb a mountain the next.
What inspires you when you’re in a creative rut?
I like to go for a hike and let my mind wander, I usually come back with loads of ideas!