We had the good fortune of connecting with Theresa Mazza and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Theresa, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
It’s funny because I actually didn’t really have a thought process. I was in school to be a dietetic technician at the time and one of the people I worked with on my internship was neighbors with a dietitian that needed help with their social media. Since I had the nutrition background and she respected my work ethic, she recommended me to work with her. After a couple of months helping the dietitian out with her social media and some recipes she said, “you’re really good at this, you should be doing this for more people”. I literally never thought that a little side gig to make some money while I was in school would blow up to what it is today. I get to use my background in food and nutrition to help dietitians and health and wellness brands create recipes, branding, social media content and more. Really, I get to do it all and work with truly incredible people. Now that I am in school to be a dietitian, I am working my way towards becoming a media dietitian and the wonderful souls I work with have taught me so much along the way. While I may have never wanted or thought to start my own business it truly just keeps evolving and I couldn’t be happier with the way things are going. Moral of the story, you don’t have to have a plan to get started. Just jump in!
What should our readers know about your business?
I am truly impressed with where I am today. If you told me a few years ago I would be managing a business and going to school full time and I’d be really excelling at both, I would’ve told you no way. While getting into this business was pretty easy, I had wonderful connections and there were plenty of dietitians and health brands out there looking for a social media manager, I wouldn’t say the road to where I am now was a cake walk. I have definitely learned the value of my time and creativity over the last year. I have definitely undercharged and felt resentful over it. I have definitely adjusted since. I also have learned things I just don’t enjoy doing and I no longer offer those services. If it doesn’t serve me, I want no part of it. I have loved shifting gears and doing a lot more recipe development for my clients/brands. I am excited to see where this side of my business goes.
On the flip side, with my personal account and branding I have definitely gone through quite a bit of imposter syndrome and not feeling good enough to get my own platform off the ground but I am learning to get over that as well. Tea Time with Tree is all about living a long, healthy and happy life through nutrition. It isn’t about dieting or weight loss, but about being the very best version of yourself. My hope is to provide content that serves my audience such as plant-based recipes, nutrition education and lifestyle tips. I am here to help and I hope to spread that message far and wide.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Phoenix is such an incredible city isn’t it?
Being a foodie, I would say I have a big list but some of my favorite include Sweet Republic, The Dinersaur, First Place Coffee, Taco Chelo, Cornish Pasty Co., any of the Fox Restaurant Concepts, Federal Pizza, Hot Daisy Pizza, Lamars Donuts, North Italia Phoenix Burrito House, Bagelfelds at Uptown Market, Welcome Diner, Just Tacos and More, Postinos, La Grande Orange and I am sure I am forgetting some!
I am not a big drinker but for hangout spots I would definitely say The Pemberton, Roosevelt Row or Biltmore Fashion Square.
I do love to shop and while they’re not in Phoenix, I do love to bring people to Old Town Scottsdale, Scottsdale Fashion Square and Scottsdale Quarter to get their shop on. Also, Uptown Farmer’s Market on Wednesday and Sunday is an amazing place to eat and shop.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
If I had to shout out anyone it would hands down be the person that helped me start it all. Gillean Barkyoumb of Millennial Nutrition is the reason I started on this crazy train. She believed in and me and knew I could turn what I did for her into something much bigger. She is my biggest cheerleader! She answers all my questions, challenges me when I need it and listens when I am having just one of those days where I feel absolutely defeated. Get someone in your corner like Gillean because you will 100% succeed in life if you do.
Website: www.teatimewithtree.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/tea_time_with_tree
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teatimewithtree/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/teatimewithtree
Image Credits
Courtney Cooper