Success Story _ Elevation Mountain Grown Herbal Tea
Elevation Mountain Grown Herbal Tea | Hotchkiss, CO
Shannon Ullmann changed her lifestyle and location to bring a Hotchkiss business to fruition.
After working as an engineer and moving with her family of four from Glenwood Springs to Hotchkiss in 2015, Shannon Ullmann shifted gears and founded Elevation Mountain Grown Herbal Tea three years later.
On a 5-acre farm situated at the base of the West Elk Mountains, they grow 17 ingredients—hibiscus, chamomile, lavender, echinacea, mint, strawberries, raspberries and more—and source fruits like apples and pears from nearby First Fruits Organic Orchards. Ullmann has carefully selected these ingredients that complement the Western Slope’s climate and positively impact customers’ health to craft, package, and sell herbal blended teas.
“I consulted as an environmental engineer for 10 years. After my two daughters were born, I started looking for a lifestyle change that would allow more time with my family,” Ullmann says. “I also yearned for a chance to develop my passions: creating healthy, yummy food, contributing to the health of the environment, and sharing my love of homegrown herbal tea.”
After considering a variety of alternatives of business uses for their land, herbal tea rose to the top as its shelf-stable and sold in small quantities. Also, there are few herbal teas companies using locally sourced ingredients, and Ullmann identified a market growth opportunity as Coloradoans seek healthy beverage options.
“The teas are a celebration of local farmers, great taste, positive health and the inspiring state from which they come,” she shares.
Although Ullmann had her brand, product, business plan and website ready at the time of launch, she had zero marketing experience so she reached out to the Colorado SBDC in the West Central region. “I met with (Colorado) SBDC consultants who gave me encouraging guidance for this important step,” she says. “Since then, I have continued to work with them, and I’ve participated in various workshops that lent insight and inspiration into continuing the development of my business.”
For more info, visit Elevation Mountain Grown Herbal Teas.
Discover Other Inspiring Success Stories
Want to read about other Colorado small businesses doing amazing things in our state?
Get Help For Your Small Business
The Colorado Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is Colorado’s most trusted business resource. We empower businesses to launch, advance, and thrive, ultimately fueling innovation, strengthening local economies, and driving economic vitality across the state. Since 1987, the Colorado SBDC has been the state's only nationally accredited, go-to resource for entrepreneurs and business owners at every stage. With 14 Service Centers, over 25 Satellite Centers, and a network of approximately 300 business experts, the Colorado SBDC delivers no-cost, confidential one-on-one advising, essential training, and vital connections to community partners.
The Colorado Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. The Colorado SBDC is a partnership between the State of Colorado, Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, the Small Business Administration (SBA), Colorado’s institutions of higher education, local economic development organizations and local chambers of commerce.
This program is supported by Federal Funding.