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The Republic of Tea: How an Idea Becomes a Business
"The Republic of Tea" is a fly-on-the-wall’s inside view of how a groundbreaking business was started. In what Fortune Magazine termed a “wildly creative” exchange with their young operating partner, Mel and Patricia Ziegler, founders of Banana Republic, reveal in real time, through faxes, sketches, and ruminations how they brainstormed the birth of the company that spawned the specialty tea movement. The reader is privy from day one to a process Tom Peters calls “charming, eccentric, profound, practical, lovely and unique.” It’s all here—the epiphanies and the doubts of how an iconic brand grew out of the spark of an idea, from product to packaging to distribution, in a book voted “one of the hundred best business books of all time.”
355 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1992
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
January 6, 2013
If you think about creating a business and you have questions or fears then you must read this book. The author reveals the thoughts and processes he went through to put up his new business. This book documents Mel & Patricia Ziegler's next venture and details how they developed the business. It is like an adventure as you follow the letters to each other with new ideas. It's an interesting book.
January 24, 2018
This book shows an authentic look at the formation of a company- in this case, The Republic of Tea. The co-founders faxed back and forth when they were hatching their initial ideas and plans, and those faxes (with some additional commentary to provide color) are reproduced here. Most business books are retrospective, tending to highlight selectively from failures or successes. This book offers candor in place of polish. I especially appreciate how broad the founders kept their ideation in the early stages, rather than too quickly getting focused on one direction.
August 19, 2013
Dear Leaves,
I cannot find the courage to start this business, so I'm going to continue sending you boring research and non-creative ideas.
-Progress
Dear Progress,
I hate all your stupid ideas, but let me motivate you with some West Coast, tea thoughts. I can't believe this worked for Banana Republic.
-Leaves
Above is my take, in essence, of the personality of the characters involved in this book. Overall, I found the business idea and strategy formation behind TRoT to be very frustrating. I think the idea for the book, a compilation of their letters back and forth, was actually better than the entire business of TRoT. I cannot find public details of the sale of the business two years later, but I would guess the book was more profitable. It is interesting to me that they might have stumbled upon a larger idea or at least laid the road-map for Teavana, which was acquired by Starbucks in 2012 for $600M.
All that said, loved the book. As everyone else alludes, it's a must read for entrepreneurs.
I cannot find the courage to start this business, so I'm going to continue sending you boring research and non-creative ideas.
-Progress
Dear Progress,
I hate all your stupid ideas, but let me motivate you with some West Coast, tea thoughts. I can't believe this worked for Banana Republic.
-Leaves
Above is my take, in essence, of the personality of the characters involved in this book. Overall, I found the business idea and strategy formation behind TRoT to be very frustrating. I think the idea for the book, a compilation of their letters back and forth, was actually better than the entire business of TRoT. I cannot find public details of the sale of the business two years later, but I would guess the book was more profitable. It is interesting to me that they might have stumbled upon a larger idea or at least laid the road-map for Teavana, which was acquired by Starbucks in 2012 for $600M.
All that said, loved the book. As everyone else alludes, it's a must read for entrepreneurs.
January 5, 2013
I very much agree with Seth Godin that this is one of the best business books around.
The book traces the formation of a business idea, through to the creation of the actual business.
If you're an entrepreneur, or hang out with entrepreneurs, you'll probably find multiple resonances in this amazing book.
The book traces the formation of a business idea, through to the creation of the actual business.
If you're an entrepreneur, or hang out with entrepreneurs, you'll probably find multiple resonances in this amazing book.
October 28, 2017
Not sure what to make of it
The first part of the book seems like the beginning of a cult, the second part might be about starting a business but it is hard to find content other than loving the business you want to build.
The first part of the book seems like the beginning of a cult, the second part might be about starting a business but it is hard to find content other than loving the business you want to build.
June 14, 2021
A book about workshopping an idea to near death, while doing very little.
They are WAY too precious about tea, in a way that Americans get about everything faddish.
Get over yourselves. It's just tea!
NEWS ALERT: Just because YOU are discoving something for the first time, doesn't mean everyone else is so stupid.
There are lots of people in America who know and love teas they have brought with them from their immigrant cultures, and there is a native culture of tea drinking as well.
Again, get over yourselves! Wow! Hubris, arrogance, cultural appropriation, all too cutesy by half.
They are WAY too precious about tea, in a way that Americans get about everything faddish.
Get over yourselves. It's just tea!
NEWS ALERT: Just because YOU are discoving something for the first time, doesn't mean everyone else is so stupid.
There are lots of people in America who know and love teas they have brought with them from their immigrant cultures, and there is a native culture of tea drinking as well.
Again, get over yourselves! Wow! Hubris, arrogance, cultural appropriation, all too cutesy by half.
July 31, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, both professionally and personally. I was a tea drinker. Now I’m a more enlightened tea drinker. It makes me want to sit dow with a cup of Rooibos tea and write a business plan for my favorite business idea!
August 15, 2024
As a person who drinks their tea, Blackberry Sage is my favorite, I found this book interesting. But if you don't want to read through two years worth of emails or faxes, then you probably won't like it.
July 30, 2023
I really enjoyed this one. It provided useful information, philosophy, and nostalgia.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 1, 2024
Loved the mentor-mentee relationship evident in their letters and what it led to. Very inspirational! 😍
January 1, 2017
A business book in the form of letter is pretty unique. The downside is that the narrative dragged at times. There were enough insights throughout to make it worthwhile. Here are a few:
"Ultimate success in business will depend on whether the business person is yielding and flexible and responsive enough to go with the unknowns as they present themselves, day by day."
“Practice not-doing, and everything will fall into place...“Not-doing,” I discovered, was not at all about whether I worked or did not work, but it did have something to do with what is behind the work, the motive. If I worked for a selfish result, something that would benefit me, that was “doing.” But if I worked for the work itself, totally absorbed myself in the means and gave no thought to the end, that was “not-doing. [...]“Not-doing,” I learned, was listening to what wants to happen of itself, not forcing it, not attempting to control, but only serving it by helping to remove the obstacles that are keeping it from happening."
"Ultimate success in business will depend on whether the business person is yielding and flexible and responsive enough to go with the unknowns as they present themselves, day by day."
“Practice not-doing, and everything will fall into place...“Not-doing,” I discovered, was not at all about whether I worked or did not work, but it did have something to do with what is behind the work, the motive. If I worked for a selfish result, something that would benefit me, that was “doing.” But if I worked for the work itself, totally absorbed myself in the means and gave no thought to the end, that was “not-doing. [...]“Not-doing,” I learned, was listening to what wants to happen of itself, not forcing it, not attempting to control, but only serving it by helping to remove the obstacles that are keeping it from happening."
November 24, 2015
Having seen this on a few "top business books" list I thought I'd give it a go (if it's good enough for Seth Godin...)
What's great about this is that it shows the creation of a company from that initial spark of an idea through the big dreams stage up to an actual paying customer
It's not a traditional business book though as it's just the correspondence of a few people (faxes!)
A very different but interesting read
What's great about this is that it shows the creation of a company from that initial spark of an idea through the big dreams stage up to an actual paying customer
It's not a traditional business book though as it's just the correspondence of a few people (faxes!)
A very different but interesting read
October 6, 2011
This book not only has a great model for a legitimate business plan in it, it also has questions every entrepreneur should ask before beginning one. I know it has gotten me to go back to my own business plan and relook at it with a different point of view. Should be required reading for anyone who wishes to start an effective business.
March 24, 2013
I enjoyed how this book did not sugarcoat the process of starting a business. It is amazing that they kept all of the faxes back and forth and it tells a nice story along with their philosophy of life and business. One day I was reading it while enjoying some Ginger Peach to from TRoT and the section I happened to be reading was about the creation and benefits of this tea.
January 5, 2008
Pretty good book about the start of a tea business. Told through the faxes that the founders sent back-and-forth over the course of 2 years in the early 1990's.
Key thoughts: every business is different, let the business grow by itself - don't force it.
Key thoughts: every business is different, let the business grow by itself - don't force it.
February 5, 2009
Thank you Dad for the Christmas Present. Interesting lay out of the thought process behind building a business. Well organized, insightful and even a little funny sometimes. Wouldn't have minded more background on the two letter-writers
What I Learned: Sit back and sip your tea.
What I Learned: Sit back and sip your tea.
September 3, 2010
One of the best business books I have ever read. Pre-email, this book is a wonderful collection of the creative process as told through letters between the two founders of the Republic of Tea. A must read for anyone thinking of starting their own business.
March 31, 2011
In 1992 or 93, having read a review of this book, I bought it and absolutely loved reading these fun and whimsical letters between the founders as the played at brainstorming an idea for a new business.
September 19, 2012
None of the practical details on how to start a business.
But the best description of the entrepreneurial process I've ever read. Reading about the idea experience felt true. The struggles to define a vision, and getting discouraged and going off-course. The whole thing is crazy - a must-read.
But the best description of the entrepreneurial process I've ever read. Reading about the idea experience felt true. The struggles to define a vision, and getting discouraged and going off-course. The whole thing is crazy - a must-read.
August 20, 2016
I really liked reading the insights of Mel Ziegler. I appreciated his take on what a business should be. Also enjoyed seeing the progression of Bill Rosenzweig and what he overcame to stand on his own.
November 5, 2008
I loved this book. I love tea and was drawn to this book because of that. And the lessons I learned as a result was cream on top.
January 19, 2011
Reading this book is really like Mel described when he drank his tea, "sip to sip".
February 16, 2011
Very inspiring and light-hearted for a business book.
August 8, 2011
Creative and fun, but you kept waiting for them to get to the point and start the business. Gets to the psychology of taking the leap to becoming an entrepreneur.
February 5, 2016
Loved this book! A gem in the rough.
May 8, 2009
This book was included in my book: The 100 Best Business Books of All Time. www.100bestbiz.com
May 4, 2012
fantastic 1st person account of getting a business up and running
January 28, 2013
A bit boring...
March 29, 2013
Inspires you to become an entrepreneur! Good read but not great!
December 4, 2015
It was interesting. But I wouldn't recommend it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews