Meet Manuela Blaylock-Villota of CozyTea LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Manuela Blaylock-Villota.

Hi Manuel, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
From the Andes to the Midwest, Manuela Blaylock‑Villota is stirring up change, one cup at a time. It’s not every day you meet someone who can turn a simple cup of tea into a movement, but that’s exactly what Manuela Blaylock‑Villota is doing.

Born in the mountainous town of Pasto, Colombia, Manuela’s journey has been anything but ordinary. Her early life was steeped in culture, spanning Ecuador, France, and Switzerland, before she finally settled in the United States. While her passport boasts a global footprint, her heart has always remained rooted in something simple yet powerful: people.
After graduating from Western Michigan University with a degree in digital marketing, Manuela could have taken the typical corporate route but the calling to do more kept tapping on her shoulder. She listened. And with that, CozyTea was born!

More than just a shake bar or tea spot, CozyTea is Manuela’s response to wellness and community. The idea was to create something that rivals Biggby or Starbucks but with real ingredients, things that nourish, not just caffeinate. CozyTea’s menu is packed with teas and protein shakes rich in fiber, minerals, and energy, all without the syrups, synthetic ingredients, and empty calories. It’s a place where health is delicious and self-care tastes like comfort. People are noticing too. Customers aren’t just walking out with drinks, they’re leaving with better habits, brighter energy, and stories of improved wellness. People are actually reporting healthier lifestyles and Manu is just so thankful she can help.

CozyTea and Manu are one in the same, but to understand CozyTea, you have to understand Manuela herself. She’s the kind of person who will drive ten hours just to spend one hour with someone she cares about. The kind who never misses a call, always remembers your birthday, and somehow manages to make every stranger feel like an old friend. Her compassion is a force and is subtle, steady, and impossibly generous. Those who know her describe her as radiant, humble, and determined. She’s powered not by ego but by empathy. Whether she’s behind the counter serving tea or behind the scenes building her business, she does it with love and a whole lot of hustle. In a world full of fast fixes and artificial everything, Manuela Blaylock‑Villota is proof that authenticity still matters and that one woman’s vision can make a real difference, along a really good cup of tea.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
We live in Michigan, so there is no such thing as a smooth road but she kept going one step at a time no matter what. She just became a US citizen which is a lengthy process. She is a young woman that owns a business in a small town trying to change culture where processed food is so prevalent despite the abundancy’s of fresh fruit and vegetables around us.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
In a small corner of downtown Hartford, Michigan, a quiet revolution is steeping one cup at a time. CozyTea LLC isn’t just another place to grab a drink, it’s a lifestyle change disguised as a tea shop. Founded by Manuela Blaylock-Villota, a digital marketing expert turned wellness entrepreneur, CozyTea is quickly becoming a local favorite for those seeking healthier alternatives to traditional beverages.

After years in the marketing world and a lifelong passion for helping others, Manuela envisioned something different. She wanted a cozy space where people could gather, refuel, and feel good about what they put in their bodies. That vision became CozyTea, a wellness beverage bar offering a vibrant menu of energy bombs, protein packed shakes, and healthy edibles, all without the heavy sugars, syrups, and synthetic additives you’ll find elsewhere.

At CozyTea, everything is intentional, from the ingredients used to the way customers are treated. The drinks are formulated and carefully balanced to provide protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals in every serving. Whether you’re grabbing a Malibu Sunset Energy Bomb on a summer day or sipping a Brownie Batter Shake during a Michigan snowstorm, each item is designed to boost wellness without sacrificing flavor.
CozyTea isn’t just about what’s in the cup either. It’s about what’s in the room.
The shop has become a hub for the Hartford community, where friends meet before work, students gather to study, and neighbors check in on each other. The warm, welcoming vibe is no accident; it’s a direct reflection of Manuela’s personality and purpose.

Located at 501 West Main Street in Hartford, CozyTea’s storefront is part of a larger revitalization effort in the downtown district. The building itself was transformed from an aging space into a colorful and modern bar, thanks in part to community grants and local support.
From the fresh paint on the exterior to the upbeat playlists playing inside, everything about CozyTea feels like a breath of fresh air. It’s proof that business can be both profitable and purposeful.

As CozyTea continues to grow, so does its impact. The shop now offers seasonal drink specials, loyalty memberships, branded merchandise, and even coaching support for those interested in launching their own wellness journeys. Every initiative is rooted in one simple mission: to help people feel better because at the end of the day, CozyTea isn’t just a business. It’s a message to the community. A place where health and happiness go hand in hand and where one woman’s dream is helping others dream bigger, too.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Perseverance, never giving up. Optimism, failure is learning not losing. Ambition, find your purpose and you will never work a day in your life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.getcozytea.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getcozytea
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/getcozytea
• Other: https://www.snapchat.com/getcozytea