Why The Urban Tea Loft Was Started

When I was 26 years old, I was promoted and moved to Colorado-the other side of the Earth from my entire family.  One day my mother called saying she had a little "bout" with breast cancer....was ok, and didn't tell me because I was so far away.  My family didn't want me to be alone and worried.  Afterwards, I decided to start getting mammograms... against the advice of my doctors.  They said even with my family history, I did not need to start getting mamograms until I was 40.  Had I listed to them, I'd be dead.  Why?  Because I was young, invincible, misinformed and not doing self breast exams!  However, I was informed enough to get the mammograms.

For seven years, thankfully my mamograms were normal.  But in 2001, things dramatically changed.  Sounds out there I know but the Sunday after Thanksgiving, I heared a divine voice directing me to the spot in my breast where I found a lump.  The lump was confirmed by my doctor two days later and I had to wait another month before I was "fit in" for a biopsy.  The day after Christmas in 2001, I had the biopsy and the first week of January in 2002, I was diagnosed with breast cancer.  The bad thing is, the mammogram I had in March 2001 did not catch the lump, I did seven months later.  Because of my age and the aggressiveness of the cancer, my physicians suggested I undergo the most aggressive treatment including a lumpectomy, chemotheraphy and radiation.  At this time, our daughter was 18 months old, and all I could think about was her life without me. So, I listened and took the most aggressive treatment necessary.  This treatment lasted 10 months as I got pneumonia in the middle of chemo and was hospitalized for 13 days delaying treatment.

During the surgery, three lymph nodes were tested and whew, the cancer had not spread.  Because lymph nodes were removed, I had to attend physical therapy.  Some of the women in theraphy stated they had breast cancer more than once.  Needless to say, I was scared!  Initially I thought I would deal with it, do exactly what the doctors said, move on with my life, and thank God. Now there was the possibility of a reoccurance?  Eventhough, I was thankful everyday for the cancer- it gave me pause and I was grateful for this.  Moments to reflect on my life and the legacy I wanted to leave, moments to consider what I wanted to do with the rest of my life and how I wanted to live it.  I knew this for sure!  I did not want to have a recoccurance!  So, during my chemo, I asked my oncologist one question that changed my life-- "What can I do to make sure I don't have a reoccurance?"  He said, "Drink more green tea".  The rest is herstory!

Glynis Legrand, Chief Executive Officer

Glynis Legrand has 15 years experience managing a successful, multi-million dollar operation for a Fortune 25 company.  She graduated from James Madison University with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations and a Masters degree in Public Administration. Her background is in management and training. She is a tea expert receiving certifications from the Specialty Tea Institute, taking several educational courses on tea, and attending the World Tea Expo to stay abreast of tea trends and issues affecting the tea industry. She also has experience in both the food services and retail industries.  She is also The Phoenix Tea Examiner writing online columns weekly and educating the public about local tea culture and events.

Glynis is available to provide educational seminars and talks on several tea topics to groups- no matter the size.  She is also available to speak on other topics and to share experiences such as entrepreneurship, management, motivation, the health benefits of tea and etl.  Please call the Loft regarding pricing and availability.

Eric Legrand, Chief Operations Officer

Eric Legrand has 17 years experience with a Fortune 25 company and has a background in management and training. He received his college degree in Marketing from North Carolina A&T University and has taken several educational courses on tea while attending the World Tea Expo.  Eric has attained tea designations from the Specialty Tea Institute.