Check Out Melanie May’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Melanie May.

Hi Melanie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Trading Mountains for Lakes: A Tea Shop Journey to Lake Odessa

When I reflect on my entrepreneurial journey, it feels like a series of harmonious notes, each building to the present—a cozy tea shop nestled in the heart of Lake Odessa, Michigan. My name is Melanie, and my son, John, and I are the proud owners of this little tea oasis, called Sereni-Tea. But the road to our herbal tea shop wasn’t a straight path—it was as winding and colorful as the landscapes that shaped us.

I was raised in the wide-open spaces of Montana and Wyoming, where small-town values and close-knit communities were the heartbeat of life. After 20+ years in the great state of Colorado, I found myself drawn to Michigan, enchanted by its blend of charm, natural beauty, vibrant culture, and the strength of its communities.

Before I ever brewed my first herbal blend, I was busy exploring other avenues of business ownership. I started with a kids’ resale franchise—a bustling brick-and-mortar that taught me the importance of creating a welcoming space for families. Later, my entrepreneurial spirit found a creative outlet in an artisan jam business popping up at various markets, where I experimented with booze-infused flavors and music-inspired themes. These jams weren’t just products; they were stories in jars, blending unexpected ingredients with the soulful rhythms of my favorite songs.

But life has a way of steering us in new directions. After a big move across the country, John and I decided to trade mountain life for lake life. We settled in Lake Odessa, a picturesque small town that immediately felt like home. Surrounded by sparkling waters and a community that exudes warmth, we knew this was the perfect place to build something meaningful together.

After 300 hours of studying herbalism and how to curate tea blends, our tea shop was born. Each cup we serve is a reflection of our journey, filled with the care and creativity that has guided us through every venture. From the herbal blends that nod to our love of natural wellness to the welcoming space where locals gather to share stories, this shop is more than a business—it’s our love letter to this town and its people.

As I sip tea on quiet mornings, watching the lake ripple in the distance, I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude. I’m thankful for the mountains that shaped me, the adventures that brought me here, and the community that welcomed us with open arms.

So if you ever find yourself in Lake Odessa, stop by our shop downtown for tea blends you can brew at home. Let’s share a moment of calm in this beautiful corner of Michigan, where life feels as warm and inviting as the people who call it home. We sell pre-packaged tea blends for home brewing, many curated for special wellness needs; like Brain Boost, Inflammation Intercept, Bedtime Bliss, Cold & Flu Remedy, Allergy Armor, Healthy Heart, Beauty Boost, Menopause Mend and many more. We also carry a large range of fun seasonal blends, berry-based tea blends, floral blends, simply Pure Organic Teas and herbs for those who like their tea simply delicious.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The Struggles Behind the Dream: Lessons from Jam to Tea

Every entrepreneurial journey comes with its share of hurdles, and mine was no exception. Back in 2016, I started a little jam company called That’s My Jam, crafting boozy, music-inspired artisan spreads. It was a scrappy startup—just me, a single mom hustling to make ends meet, with a small loan after completing a rigorous business boot camp. My son, John, joined in to learn the ins and outs of running a business, and we spent weekends at Denver pop-up markets, pouring everything—blood, sweat, tears, and even a few scalding burns—into making it work.

Momentum was building when an unexpected legal challenge knocked us sideways. A high-profile entity claimed ownership of the name, and though I was first to market, I didn’t have $100K to fight it in court. I rebranded as Super Sonic Spreads only to face another trademark battle—this time with Sonic Drive-In over supposed “consumer confusion.” Fighting giant corporations with endless legal resources is a losing game for small business owners, and after losing both battles, I had to walk away.

I was crushed, especially knowing how much my customers loved our jams, like Banana Pancakes (whiskey and butterscotch schnapps) or our sugar-free options that had just launched to rave reviews. But my entrepreneurial spirit is resilient, and eventually, I found a new way forward in our combined passion for teas and herbal remedies for common everyday ailments.

Fast forward to today, and my son and I have realized a long-held dream: opening a storefront. Our little tea shop in Lake Odessa is the product of hard work, determination, and lessons learned the hard way. We’ve built it from the ground up and structured ourselves to ensure we’re protected for the future in regards to trademarks. While the jam chapter ended, it paved the way for something even more meaningful—a space where our love for community and creativity brews together, one home-brewed cup at a time.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
In addition to our little cozy tea haven, I work remotely for a tech company that builds websites in Ann Arbor, MI while John runs the day to day operations of the shop.

As a marketing & website professional with a passion for connecting people to meaningful products and services, I’ve also immersed myself in the study of Herbalism, Herbal Medicine, and Functional Holistic Wellness. I have a passion for health and wellness.

This journey bridges my professional expertise with my personal commitment to health and natural living, inspiring me to create offerings that nourish both body and soul. Combining the art of storytelling with the science of wellness, we aim to bring a thoughtful, holistic approach to everything we do, including curating herbal blends in our tea shop and partnering with like-minded brands who complement our product and service offerings.

What’s next?
In addition to growing the footprint of our actual shop and expanding our product line to include more tinctures, creams, oils, DIY Workshops, a long term goal is to add Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Testing.

Functional Diagnostic Nutrition (FDN) Testing is a holistic approach to identifying imbalances in the body that may be contributing to chronic health issues or general dysfunction. FDN practitioners use lab tests to uncover underlying causes related to gut health, hormone levels, detoxification pathways, adrenal function, and more. The goal is not to diagnose diseases but to identify dysfunctions and provide a framework to restore balance using diet, lifestyle, and targeted supplementation.

This will allow us to provide wellness recommendations; Offering custom insights into how specific herbal teas or ingredients could support gut health, stress reduction, or hormonal balance based on the imbalances identified by FDN testing and allow us to create custom tea blends; crafting personalized blends based on common findings from FDN testing, such as teas for adrenal support (e.g., licorice root, ashwagandha) or digestive health (e.g., peppermint, ginger).

We also intend to partner with other practitioners: Collaborating with Michigan-based holistic health practitioners to cross-promote services and create a network of support and resources for our community and eventually other underserved communities in regards to holistic wellness practices.

Melanie will be completing the FDN Program in late 2025 so that we can bring this element to the shop as soon as possible.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://curatedserenitea.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curatedserenitea/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/curatedserenitea/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanie-m-45456a2a/