Raj Vable: Building Relationships Across Borders Through Tea

The Power of Connections

In this episode, Rich and Raj Vable discuss:

• The mentor who inspired him to take the leap into entrepreneurship
• His journey from engineering to launching Young Mountain Tea
• How partnerships with Himalayan farmers are transforming the tea industry
• The value of relationships and connection in creating meaningful work
• Navigating challenges and staying true to his mission

Key Takeaways:

• The biggest risks in life often stem from not pursuing what you truly want now, assuming there will be time later. Following curiosity rather than waiting for the "perfect time" can lead to deeply fulfilling paths.
• Relationships and connections form the foundation of both personal and professional success. Building partnerships often requires stepping out of comfort zones and investing in trust.
• The natural world can be a profound source of grounding and clarity. Spending time in nature fosters gratitude, reduces anxiety, and reminds us of our place in a larger system.
• Challenges like production delays and setbacks can test patience and creativity, but approaching them with transparency and adaptability leads to growth.
• Tea is more than just a beverage; it’s a vessel for connection, ritual, and conversation, offering opportunities to share meaningful experiences across cultures.

"Think less, do more. Don’t worry about it. You’ll figure it out. Just flow. Just go." — Raj Vable

 

About Raj Vable:

Raj Vable founded Young Mountain Tea with a promise. If a co-operative of Himalayan farmers would grow tea, he’d start a company to sell it. Since then, he and his team have been on a mission to work with Indian and Nepali farmers to raise the quality of their tea, so they can earn more and raise the quality of their life. Today Young Mountain Tea is launching an organic specialty tea factory and sharing ownership with Himalayan farmers, creating a new model for how tea can create regenerative food systems.

Raj’s work has been supported by the Rockefeller Foundation, USAID, Fulbright, Acumen, and more. He holds an MS in Environmental Studies and a BS in Electrical Engineering. He loves hiking in the forests, combing the shoreline for beach glass, swimming (ideally outdoors), playing guitar, logging time in the sauna, and cooking.

Connect with Raj Vable:

Website: https://youngmountaintea.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youngmtntea/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/young-mountain-tea/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YoungMountainTea

Connect with Rich Woo:

Website: www.catalyst.nm.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/richwoo/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rich_woo/?hl=en

Book: The Relationship Recession - https://a.co/d/dXlXd71

Email: [email protected]