INSPIRED AROMA, INC.
Coffee parties brewing up plenty of business
Green Bay Press Gazette, Judy Kneiszel, September 19, 1999
It’s hard to decide which part of Tracey Suehring’s job is the most fun: working out of her home, having parties, or quality control.
“I’m always researching and upgrading my product line,” Suehring said as she prepared cinnamon toast flavored coffee using a French Press in her kitchen/test laboratory.
When the hot water hit the grounds it became clear how she came up with the name Inspired Aroma, Inc. for her multi-level marketing business.
Suehring said is was never her dream to start her own business, but one day in May 1998 the ideas just came to her.
“I had a day off and I was getting ready to go out when the idea came to me to do a coffee Pampered Chef type party,” she said. “Everything, including the name, came to me. I left the house and went to the coffee houses, retail stores, and the library to learn everything I could about coffee and starting a business.”
Suehring also wrote to manufacturers of coffee and tea products, asking for samples.
“Of course the big question is ‘Do you quit your job?'” she said. “And the question you have to ask yourself is ‘What’s the worst that can happen?'"
Suehring quit her job in July 1998 and began working on Inspired Aroma, Inc. full time.
“I don’t want to be just another party that comes into your home and pressures you to buy something,” she said. “I want you to learn something and really enjoy yourself with no pressure. I also want to give people the opportunity to do something where they don’t have to punch a clock, but can set their own hours and work as hard as they want.”
The Job: Suehring sets up party date and conducts Inspired Aroma, Inc. parties. She orders products, delivers and ships products, and prepares any necessary sales literature. She also recruits and trains new sales people on how to make a perfect cup of coffee and how to conduct an Inspired Aroma Inc. party.
Another part of Suehring’s job is to decide exactly what her company will sell. Her product line includes coffee and coffee makers, teas and tea making accessories, espresso makers and accessories, mugs, cups, coasters, cocoa, cider and chai, a type of tea.
Training: Suehring is a graduate of Ashwaubenon High School. Before starting Inspired Aroma, Inc., she worked her way up from secretary to head of national sales at USI Environmental Reclamation Ltd., a manufacturer and distributor of silver recovery equipment, located in West Bend.
Coffee parties brewing up plenty of business
Green Bay Press Gazette, Judy Kneiszel, September 19, 1999
It’s hard to decide which part of Tracey Suehring’s job is the most fun: working out of her home, having parties, or quality control.
“I’m always researching and upgrading my product line,” Suehring said as she prepared cinnamon toast flavored coffee using a French Press in her kitchen/test laboratory.
When the hot water hit the grounds it became clear how she came up with the name Inspired Aroma, Inc. for her multi-level marketing business.
Suehring said is was never her dream to start her own business, but one day in May 1998 the ideas just came to her.
“I had a day off and I was getting ready to go out when the idea came to me to do a coffee Pampered Chef type party,” she said. “Everything, including the name, came to me. I left the house and went to the coffee houses, retail stores, and the library to learn everything I could about coffee and starting a business.”
Suehring also wrote to manufacturers of coffee and tea products, asking for samples.
“Of course the big question is ‘Do you quit your job?'” she said. “And the question you have to ask yourself is ‘What’s the worst that can happen?'"
Suehring quit her job in July 1998 and began working on Inspired Aroma, Inc. full time.
“I don’t want to be just another party that comes into your home and pressures you to buy something,” she said. “I want you to learn something and really enjoy yourself with no pressure. I also want to give people the opportunity to do something where they don’t have to punch a clock, but can set their own hours and work as hard as they want.”
The Job: Suehring sets up party date and conducts Inspired Aroma, Inc. parties. She orders products, delivers and ships products, and prepares any necessary sales literature. She also recruits and trains new sales people on how to make a perfect cup of coffee and how to conduct an Inspired Aroma Inc. party.
Another part of Suehring’s job is to decide exactly what her company will sell. Her product line includes coffee and coffee makers, teas and tea making accessories, espresso makers and accessories, mugs, cups, coasters, cocoa, cider and chai, a type of tea.
Training: Suehring is a graduate of Ashwaubenon High School. Before starting Inspired Aroma, Inc., she worked her way up from secretary to head of national sales at USI Environmental Reclamation Ltd., a manufacturer and distributor of silver recovery equipment, located in West Bend.
“I had the sales and manufacturing experience I needed to start Inspired Aroma, Inc.,” she said, “I knew how to talk to manufacturers.”
The bottom line: Suehring is putting all her profits back into the business rather than paying herself a salary. Inspired Aroma, Inc's independent sales consultants make an average of $80 per party.
Family: Suehring’s husband, Dan, works for Bankers Life and Casualty Co. He also helps with packaging and delivery for Inspired Aroma, Inc.. The Suehrings have three daughters, Tina, Crystal, and Ashley.
Career goals: “My goal is to expand Inspired Aroma, Inc. to 50 states in seven to ten years and continue to offer good quality products to people,” Suehring said.
As Suehring’s company becomes larger, she has less time to conduct parties herself, but she said she will continue attending Inspired Aroma, Inc. parties to get feedback from customers. “I want to stay very customer-oriented,” she said.
Last word: “If you’re unhappy in your position, don’t be afraid to try something different. Not everyone is a sales person, but that’s okay. You just have to talk, and help people, and teach people,” she said.
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