Jason Loft did not drink tea as a child – unless you consider 14 years of age part of childhood. That’s how old Loft was when he picked up a small family venture and turned it into a lucrative tea business.

Jason's grandfather, Frank Loft, created the Dutch Teapot Strainer in his garage in 1970. The small, umbrella-like strainer fits down the spout of a teapot, straining the liquor through the leaves. The elder Loft founded TPS Manufacturing, a home-based family business, to make and distribute the strainers, and the company sold several thousand of them over the years. Business waned following Frank Loft 's death and amidst the rise in popularity of bagged tea. By the late 1990s, Loft’s father – an accountant by trade – filled orders only occasionally.

Jason Loft came into the picture in 2006, following an accident that took him out of his part-time fast-food job. Eager to continue making money, he approached his father, who pointed him – in family tradition – to the shed, where the small factory for making Dutch Teapot Strainers sat, neglected.

Since then, Loft has not only revived TPS Manufacturing, but also launched his own, adjunct business, Pop-In Teas. His mission is no less than to introduce his region to the rewards of drinking full-leaf teas. WTN Editor Heidi Kyser caught up with Loft, who will be 18 in a month, to see how that plan is unfolding.

World Tea News: So, you didn’t drink tea as a child?
Loft: Not really. I started drinking it when I started doing (the teapot strainer business). I really got into tea when I started the tea business.

WTN: When was that?
Loft: About nine months ago.

WTN: And before that you were just doing the teapot strainer?
Loft: Yeah.

WTN: Tell me about the process for making it.
Loft: We manufacture each one by hand. They’re made of stainless steel. A company in China sends it over. We only get that once every two years or so.

WTN: At 14, were you dreading getting dragged into the family business?
Loft: No, I was keen. I was making them and also marketing them, going out to businesses and trying to sell them. So, that’s what appealed to me.

WTN: How did you go about it?
Loft: I started with a bit of door-to-door, and that wasn’t the best way. I got a little Web site, and started e-mailing gift stores, kitchen ware stores. Now, it’s basically (receiving orders by) e-mail, and then I post them out.

WTN: How long until business picked up and you were thinking about expanding?
Loft: Toward the middle of my final year of high school. I needed something to do the following year, after I graduated.

WTN: Before that, how did you balance work with school?
Loft: Basically, I did it whenever I had holidays, and on weekends.

WTN: Early on, about how many sales were you making?
Loft: Oh, it wasn’t big at all. In a year, I’d sell maybe 2,000 of the things.

WTN: What kind of margin do you get on them?
Loft: It’s basically 100-percent markup. I make them and package them on a card at a cost of about $1.50 (Australian), then I sell them to the shops for $3. They’ve been going about everywhere that’s got them for $7.50 retail, and they’re quite easily getting that.

WTN: So, when did you get into tea?
Loft: That was probably six months ago.

WTN: Where do you get your tea?
Loft: I’ve got a lady down in Melbourne. She imports hundreds of varieties. Basically her business is selling to little suppliers. I buy in bulk from her, label my packages and put the tea into them.

WTN: Do you have a focus or specialty?
Loft: I have a range of 20 different types. I’ve tried to get a range from all over the world, all different types. It’s relatively new in the area, so I want to give people a chance to try a variety.

WTN: Do you do blends?
Loft: I haven’t yet, but I’m looking to start doing that.

WTN: What’s your competitive advantage?
Loft: In my region, there’s no other place selling loose-leaf teas. The cafes and gift shops have had to go to major cities to get it, so it was very expensive. This is a lot easier for them, and they’re supporting a local business.

WTN: Do you do tastings?
Loft: I call the business before I go visit. If they’re interested, I take all the teas out, and they can sample them and try them. Once I’ve gone out, most people will usually buy.

WTN: Do they ever balk at dealing with a 17-year-old?
Loft: No, most people sort of support you because you’re young. I’ve found it really helpful. (laughs) That may wear off in a year or two.

WTN: You recently graduated and began doing this full-time. How do you feel about it now?
Loft: I just love business, and I enjoy tea. This is real fun.

WTN: What are your favorite teas?
Loft: French Earl Grey. I like a lot of greens. I’m always trying new ones.