Every time is tea time with FSHN alumni entrepreneur
What started as an at-home kitchen hobby has grown into something much bigger: Steepers Only, a Chicago-based tea company founded by Angelica Lee. Each batch she blends is more than just a drink; it's a celebration of the people and places that have shaped her life and gotten her to where she is now.
Lee’s entrepreneurial spark was lit early. She grew up in Chicago and watched her mother run a post-construction cleaning business.
“My mom inspires me and has been my biggest encouragement,” Lee said.
While her mom and close connection to entrepreneurship inspired her as a businesswoman, Lee’s love for tea began thousands of miles away. As a teenager on a missionary trip to Kenya, she was struck by how important tea was in the country's culture. She asked, "What time is tea time?" and one of the ministers leading the trip replied, "Every time is tea time."
That philosophy became the heart of her brand.
In 2012, Lee enrolled at the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where she majored in Food Science and Human Nutrition. Through her coursework, she grew her technical knowledge and found lifelong mentors who have supported her entrepreneurial journey.
One course, Product Development with Dr. Dawn Bohn, stood out. It gave her hands-on experience with creating, marketing, and selling a food product. “This experience inspired me and gave me the skills to start my own food business,” Lee said.
She also spent time in the Food Microbiology Laboratory, learning about her favorite subject from Dr. Michael Miller and the graduate students in his lab.
Additionally, Meredith Blumthal, Director of Food and Agribusiness Management, believed in me,” Lee said. “She’s been a huge supporter of Steepers Only.”
During a study abroad trip to the Dominican Republic, Lee visited banana plantations and a sugar mill. These experiences broadened her understanding of global food systems. “Seeing production processes firsthand was eye-opening,” said Lee. “Studying abroad was one of the most memorable moments of my collegiate journey.”
On Illinois’ campus, Lee served on the Student Advancement Committee (now the ACES Student Leadership Council) and was active in Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (MANRRS). These roles helped her grow both her confidence and her community.
Today, Lee draws on her food science background to craft intentional, nutrient-rich blends. Each Steepers Only tea is made with superfood ingredients and vitamins designed not just for flavor, but to support wellness.
In January 2025, Steepers Only teamed up with HelloFresh, through its Green Chef brand, to launch wellness-focused bundles. Their Chamomile Lavender blend was featured in Green Chef’s “New Year’s Reset” box, encouraging relaxation and mindfulness as part of a balanced lifestyle.
The following month, Steepers Only was spotlighted in HelloFresh’s Black History Month box, where Lee’s “Slumber Party” tea appeared alongside products from fellow Black-owned and mission-driven brands.
Now carried in 10 grocery stores across Illinois, Steepers Only is steadily growing with plans to expand nationwide, extending Lee’s mission of wellness, culture, and connection through every cup.
Angelica Lee’s journey is a reminder that hands-on experience can spark something lasting. Your gift to the FSHN Experiential Learning Fund provides students with real-world opportunities to apply classroom learning and explore career pathways in food science.