Starting the new year with the Tea Revolution in Europe - Sipping Your Way to Mindfulness with MIND VACATIONS
We’re thrilled to feature MIND VACATIONS, a creative solution that transforms mindfulness into a delightful escape! This success story highlights the innovative spirit within the Start for Future Alliance.
“Let’s talk for the beginning about your Start-up idea. What was the spark to go on this exciting journey and can you describe your idea in a few words?"
Imagine trying to meditate and constantly failing. That was us. Traditional meditation apps felt like homework - boring and disconnected. Then I remembered how my grandparents would sit for hours with their tea, completely peaceful.
We thought: What if meditation could be as natural as enjoying a perfect cup of tea? What if instead of fighting to stay still, you could simply... be?
MIND VACATIONS was born from that moment - a way to make mindfulness feel like a delicious escape, not a chore. We're essentially creating a passport to inner calm, one sip at a time.
"Co-creation is often key to innovative solutions. Can you share an example of how collaboration with external partners has helped improve your products or services?"
A great example of co-creation in our company was our collaboration with Fritjof Nelting from the Gezeitenhaus Klinikgruppe. His advisory support and valuable expertise were instrumental in refining the content of our meditation app to better meet the needs of our users.
"Looking forward, what are your immediate priorities as you plan to scale operations internationally and where do you see it in five years time?”
"Looking ahead, our immediate priority is the launch of our first international edition of the MIND VACATIONS Box in the first quarter of 2025. This edition will feature even better organic teas and all content in English, tailored for an international audience. We're thrilled about this milestone, as we have exciting plans to enhance both the box and the meditation app, which is a key part of the experience. While our ultimate dream is to bring the MIND VACATIONS Box to the US market, we’ll start by establishing a strong presence in Europe next year."
“Let's talk about the Start for Futures role in your journey. Which program do you have joined and what was your biggest benefit?”
We participated in the Develop and Co-Create program under Start for Futures. One of the biggest benefits was having an excellent coach and mentor from VIA University in Denmark. He consistently challenged us, asked the right questions, and helped us dig deeper to find effective solutions to our challenges. For instance, instead of focusing solely on B2C customers, we developed a B2B strategy to gain market access. This approach required the same effort but offered higher rewards, as our product could address company problems like employee health and satisfaction.
Additionally, the SFF program invited and funded us to present our idea to an international audience in Munich and Athens, where we received valuable feedback from actual investors. This program was incredibly impactful, and we highly recommend it to other startups.
"And one more thing... If you could describe your team in one word, what would it be?"
Diverse.
Our team brings a unique blend of talents: a brilliant CTO crafting our app, a highly skilled designer developing stunning packaging and UI designs, a strategist optimizing internal processes and driving innovative ideas, and me—the extrovert—leading sales and managing relationships with people and partners. Together, we cover all bases with creativity, technical expertise, and strategic execution.
"Last but not least - Do you have any call to action for our network or some needs we can promote?"
Let’s connect on LinkedIn! I’m sharing my startup journey there, offering an honest and transparent look at all the ups and downs. https://www.linkedin.com/in/beixi-jia-5687955a/ & https://www.linkedin.com/in/julian-stodt/