What This Is
Initio Curations provides buyer-side advisory, sourcing, and program development for businesses whose identity depends on the strength of their tea and coffee offering.
Engagements are selective, discreet, and executed directly by the principal—built for owners and operators who want clarity, standards, and results without noise.
Best fit for: specialty retail, hospitality, boutique hotels/inns, cafés, tasting rooms, lifestyle brands, and curated gift environments.
Who this is for
This work is designed for teams who want a beverage or retail program that feels intentional, differentiated, and operationally realistic.
- Boutique hotels, inns, and resorts
- Specialty cafés and coffee programs
- Restaurants with a beverage or dessert program
- Specialty retail and gift
- Corporate gifting, private clubs, and member experiences
Engagement formats
- Menu / retail strategy, assortment planning
- Vendor discovery, evaluation, and sourcing guidance
- Seasonal cadence and feature planning
- Retainer-based curation and sourcing
- Launch support for limited releases and collaborations
- Staff training and guest experience design
Professional background
I have developed retail and guest experience programs for multiple specialty businesses internally and as a consultant, supporting product curation, training, and event design. Trade engagements are handled with discretion and clear scope.
Scope Examples
Retail & Specialty Environments
- Assortment architecture: category build, expansion, and rationalization
- Vendor discovery, vetting, and relationship development
- Seasonal, limited, and exclusive sourcing (tea, coffee, and adjacent goods)
- Blending support and education-driven retail programming
- Product strategy aligned to margin, velocity, and brand position
Hospitality & Guest Experience
- Tea and coffee program development and refinement
- Quality upgrades and sourcing pathways
- Serviceware and presentation-driven procurement
- Staff-facing product standards and preparation guidance
Special Projects
- Launch support for a new menu, bar, or retail concept
- Signature blend development (tea and/or coffee)
- Private training sessions and demonstrations (by request)
- Supplier audits and sample evaluation frameworks
Engagement Structure
Projects may be structured as a defined scope (recommended) or as an ongoing advisory relationship, depending on complexity and cadence.
- Discovery call (30–45 minutes) to confirm fit and objectives
- Written scope with deliverables, timeline, and fee structure
- Execution with concise updates and clear recommendations
To initiate a trade inquiry, email mike@initiocurations.com with your business name, location, and what you are building or refining.
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