My name is Emme Chanter and I am a rising sophomore in the College of Arts & Sciences at WashU. I have not decided on a major yet, but am taking classes in the realm of natural and social sciences. This summer I am working with Avocado Leaf Tea, under the wing of Sharon Colona. The avocado leaf is a little-known superfood. It is full of antioxidants such as flavonoids, polyphenols, and terpenes. These compounds have been shown to help control blood sugar levels, the cardiovascular system, and the immune system. Avocado Leaf Tea currently sells five different blends of their signature Leaf Tea which is grown and harvested in their grove in Temecula, California. They currently offer a peach, lemon, black, chamomile, and natural blend, and are getting ready to release an organic line. 

I have found working with Sharon and the other interns at Avocado Leaf Tea to be the most rewarding part of my experience so far. Sharon especially has been a great mentor and inspiration for me. I have learned so much about what it means to be an entrepreneur, and about the discipline and dedication it takes to run a successful business. Working with Avocado Leaf Tea has also shown me just how diverse the operations of a startup can be.

I have worked on such a wide variety of projects so far, ranging from social media and blog posts to product pages and restocking. I have really enjoyed gaining insight to the breadth of assignments and goals within a company. There’s always something new to be doing. 

Although I have a variety of assignments, my main role at Avocado Leaf Tea is centered around user experience. I focus on refining the product pages, the website, and purchasing process. I really enjoy looking at things from the customers’ perspective, and getting to dive into the user experience allows me to better get to know the brand and the product. 

I’m excited to see what the rest of the summer brings!