We're what happens when you go abroad, find something you really like and then can't find it back at home. Added to the opportunity and enthusiasm to do something about it. A perfect blend for a herbal tea company!

Sympathy Teas was set up in 2007 by Jennie and Nigel, launching after a mad rush at the East Midlands Food Festival. Our philosophy was, and still is, to make the best tasting herbal tea that we could using the best ingredients. We knew it was possible as we had the fortune a couple of years ago to visit both Switzerland and New Zealand and found herbal tea companies that made fantastic blends. We waited a while in the UK for someone to make something similar - we don't know about you, but we found most herbal teas out there to be, well, vile (particularly the fruity ones) - then thought 'stuff it, we'll make them ourselves'.

Since our launch we've learned a lot about what people like and have launched the favourites in fabulous biodegradable tea bags.

Unable to resist the call of nature, so to speak, Jennie and Nigel have moved to New Zealand, leaving the company in the very capable hands of Graham, a good friend who shares the same principles. He now looks after the day to day running of Sympathy, but Jennie and Nigel are still involved behind the scenes!