Private Sourcing and Advisory for Tea, Coffee, and Related Goods
Initio Curations advises private clients, restaurants, and specialty retailers on sourcing, supplier research, and uncommon acquisitions.
Have a sourcing request in mind?
Initio Curations works with private clients, restaurants, and specialty retailers. Common requests include tea sourcing, supplier research, tea program development, and uncommon goods.
Tea Sourcing Consultant and Hospitality Advisory
Initio Curations works as a tea sourcing consultant and coffee sourcing advisor for private clients, restaurants, and specialty retailers.
Services include tea sourcing, restaurant tea program consulting, vendor discovery, rare tea acquisition, serviceware sourcing, and procurement guidance.
Overview
Initio Curations is a buyer-side consulting and concierge service specializing in tea, coffee, and related goods, owned and operated by a single consultant.
This structure allows for consistency, discretion, and accountability without intermediaries.
I work directly with clients to source rare, custom, and hard-to-find goods where quality, access, and expertise matter. This may include daily use or a more occasional acquisition.
My role is to research, evaluate, and secure the right solution. This may be a specific product, a trusted producer, or the right supplier or sourcing route.
My work is guided by judgment, experience, and execution. I treat quality as part of daily life and bring that standard to each engagement.
Private Client Services
- Consulting and sourcing for tea and coffee
- Rare, specialty, and custom acquisitions
- Producer, supplier, and artisan outreach
- Vetting, verification, and negotiation
- Guidance for small-batch and limited-run goods
- Education, preparation guidance, and demonstration support (by request)
What this makes possible
- Build a personal tea or coffee program at home.
- Access rare lots and small releases not offered through retail.
- Commission custom blends or limited runs when appropriate.
- Move from “good” to a daily standard of quality.
- Develop a differentiated menu or retail program.
- Source through trusted importers, producers, and specialist vendors.
- Create seasonal features and collaborative releases.
- Design staff training and guest-facing experiences.
Ways Clients Work With Initio
Private Sourcing
Clients commission Initio to locate specific teas, coffees, or specialty items not easily accessible through traditional retail channels.
Curated Tea & Coffee Programs
Restaurants, cafés, and hospitality groups engage Initio to design tea and coffee programs that elevate service and guest experience.
Vendor Discovery & Procurement
Initio identifies and vets suppliers, helping businesses build strong sourcing relationships.
Custom Acquisitions
Clients request assistance locating rare teas, specialty serviceware, or other unique items.
Consulting & Advisory
Strategic consulting for specialty retail, hospitality tea programs, and sourcing strategy.
Example Engagements
- Sourcing rare teas for a private collector
- Designing a restaurant tea program
- Identifying small-producer coffee suppliers
- Curating specialty tea gifts for corporate clients
- Sourcing unique serviceware or teaware
Each engagement is defined by the scope of the request.
The Initio Process
Engagements are intentionally straightforward.
1 - Initial Inquiry
After the intake form is received, you will be contacted to schedule a discovery consultation. These consultations are held by phone or Zoom and typically last 30 to 45 minutes. In-person meetings are available by special request.
2 - Evaluation & Research
Initio reviews the request, sourcing options, timelines, and any relevant vendor or procurement considerations.
3 - Recommendation
Clients receive a clear recommendation, sourcing pathway, or proposed scope of work.
4 - Execution
Once approved, Initio assists with procurement, coordination, and implementation as needed.
Inquiry & Engagement Structure
Initial inquiry: Complimentary inquiry consultations are available by phone or Zoom to briefly discuss your request and determine if Initio Curations is the right fit.
Consultation: Detailed consultations typically last 60 to 90 minutes.
Typical fee: $200 to $250 per session.
Project-based consulting: Larger engagements such as sourcing research, vendor discovery, or program development are structured as consulting projects.
Typical engagements: $1,000 to $3,000 depending on scope.
Sourcing & procurement: When Initio assists with locating and acquiring specialty goods, a sourcing commission may apply.
Typical commission: 10 to 20% depending on complexity.
Minimum engagement: Most engagements begin at $250 depending on scope. Clients are encouraged to begin with a complimentary inquiry conversation.
Typical Client Requests
Clients contact Initio Curations with requests such as:
- Locating exceptional teas for a personal collection
- Developing a tea program for restaurants or hospitality venues
- Identifying small tea or coffee producers
- Sourcing unusual teaware or service pieces
- Evaluating suppliers for specialty retail businesses
- Curating distinctive tea or coffee gifts
Some clients arrive with a specific request. Others begin with a conversation.
Why Clients Work With Me
- Buyer-side representation only
- Over ten years of professional experience in tea and coffee
- Measured decision-making with a client-first focus
- This is not a marketplace; each engagement is defined by the request
- Exclusivity is not the objective
- Every engagement is handled personally, end to end
About Initio Curations and Mike
Tea and coffee are uniquely human experiences. They transcend time and borders, connecting us through ritual, craft, and daily habit.
I have been passionate about tea for as long as I can remember. Over time, that curiosity became disciplined study of origin, processing, history, and preparation. My relationship with coffee followed naturally, becoming more serious when I began roasting my own and engaging directly with origin, roast profile, and brewing.
We all begin our days with a form of luxury, though it is rarely treated as such. True indulgence is not excess; it is intention. It is choosing well, understanding provenance, and knowing when something is worth pursuing, and when it is not.
Initio Curations reflects my philosophy, experience, and passion. I source with expertise, operate with restraint, and execute with care. Tea and coffee sit at the center of this practice, informing how I think about quality, sourcing, and experience more broadly. My aim is to bring a quieter, more considered form of daily quality, rooted in craft, clarity, and pleasure.
Begin a conversation
If you have a clear request, I can usually confirm fit and next steps with a short email.
Contact
To initiate a private inquiry:
mike@initiocurations.com
All requests begin with a short discovery exchange to determine fit.
I primarily work in tea and coffee, but I will consider select requests beyond those categories when they merit professional acquisition support. Fit is confirmed during the initial exchange.
Send Intake Form