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Professional Spotlight
Leading Through
Challenges
Running a rapidly growing business
is not without its hurdles. Mike is
candid about the challenges Bird &
Blend has faced, particularly during
the COVID-19 pandemic. "Suddenly,
we had to close our stores and
rethink everything. The silver lining
was that it pushed us to innovate
online—virtual tea tastings,
The front window of the interactive live streams, and a
Bird & Blend Borough store stronger digital community."
These pivots not only kept the
Beyond flavours, Mike is proud of the brand's business afloat but also expanded
creative approach to packaging, gift sets, and Bird & Blend's reach. "We now have
collaborations. "We're always looking for ways fans joining our events from all over
to surprise and delight. Whether it's a tea- the world. It's shown us that tea
filled advent calendar or a partnership with a culture can thrive in both physical
local chocolatier, we aim to make tea feel and digital spaces."
exciting and relevant to everyone."
With 25 outlets across the UK and
Ethics and Sustainability 250 employees, it is challenging – if
Ethical sourcing and sustainability are key to almost impossible – for Mike to know
Bird & Blend's mission. Mike states, "Tea is a everyone. However, at our meeting,
global industry, and it's our responsibility to he was quick to go and introduce
ensure that what we're doing is good for himself to the latest tea mixologist,
people and the planet. We work closely with who was a new team member.
growers, pay fair prices, and prioritise organic
and sustainable practices wherever possible." This year, the 2025/26 NI changes
mean that Bird & Blend need to find
The company has made significant progress an extra £200,000 from bottom-line
in reducing its environmental impact, from profits. Mike commented, "When
biodegradable tea bags to refillable tins and each transactional purchase is small,
eco-friendly packaging. "Our customers care it is important to ensure that
deeply about these issues, and so do we. It's customers enjoy their experience
not just about ticking boxes—it's about and purchase more tea or ancillary
genuinely making a difference." products."
JULY/AUGUST. 2025 | ISSUE 43
