Making Connections in Business—Even if You Don’t Start With Any
Executive Summary
Shopify Masters episode in which the host talks with Steve Schwartz, founder of Art of Tea, about finding mentors and connections when no one around you has started a business. Steve says he did not finish college, had no direct mentors at first, and turned his iPod and car into a university by listening to thought leaders such as Tony Robbins and Brian Tracy. He says he always tries to stay open to learning, because if you are the smartest person in the room something is wrong. He says he studied at an ayurvedic institute, began blending teas in his living room, trained a celebrity chef's restaurant team, and trained what he says was the first tea sommelier in the United States for a Las Vegas casino. He says he grew his company organically, and cold called by keeping a pen and paper list. Shopify, which produces the show, is the sponsor named in the description. PARTIAL COVERAGE: the captions cover roughly the first 11 minutes of the 30 minute episode, so later mentorship and partner topics are not summarized. All claims are Steve's own and are not independently checked. Nothing here is medical, health, financial or legal advice, and his comments on herbs and wellness are his personal view only.
Key Takeaways
Stay open to learning
Steve says if you are the smartest person in the room there is something wrong.
A car as a university
He says he turned his iPod and car into a university by listening to thought leaders.
Curate your curriculum
He says it is really about curating your own curriculum in an age of easy content.
No circle to ask
He says no one in his immediate circle could advise him on starting a tea company.
Start in the living room
He says he began blending teas in his living room and passing samples to friends and family.
A first for a restaurant team
He says a celebrity chef's team asked him to explain tea, and he trained them on a high quality tea service.
Pen and paper cold calls
He says he cold called from a pen and paper list, often without saying he was the founder.
The Conversation Breakdown
Stay open to learning
⏱ Untimed topicSteve says if you are the smartest person in the room there is something wrong.
A car as a university
⏱ Untimed topicHe says he turned his iPod and car into a university by listening to thought leaders.
Curate your curriculum
⏱ Untimed topicHe says it is really about curating your own curriculum in an age of easy content.
No circle to ask
⏱ Untimed topicHe says no one in his immediate circle could advise him on starting a tea company.
Start in the living room
⏱ Untimed topicHe says he began blending teas in his living room and passing samples to friends and family.
A first for a restaurant team
⏱ Untimed topicHe says a celebrity chef's team asked him to explain tea, and he trained them on a high quality tea service.
Pen and paper cold calls
⏱ Untimed topicHe says he cold called from a pen and paper list, often without saying he was the founder.
Core Frameworks & Ideas
Be the least smart person in the room - Steve's rule
Look for what you can learn from anyone.
Curate your curriculum - Steve's method
Choose the voices you listen to deliberately.
Start small and grow organically - Steve's path
Begin at home and expand as demand appears.
Actionable Next Steps
- ✓Pick one podcast or book as your own mentor this month.
- ✓Ask someone with a different background what they would do.
- ✓Start a small version of your idea from home before taking space.
- ✓Treat Steve's wellness views as his own, not health advice.
Notable Quotes
“if I'm the smartest person in the room there's there's something wrong”
“curating your own curriculum”
“I literally turned my iPod at that time and my car into a university”
The One Thing to Remember
Steve Schwartz says he built his tea company without a mentor by curating his own curriculum, staying open to learning and starting small in his living room.