Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Olano.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I grew up in England, where baking was simply part of family life. Some of my happiest childhood memories are in the kitchen with my mother and grandmother, learning recipes that had been passed down through generations. There was always something in the oven, a pot of tea brewing, and time spent around the table together.
In 2011, I moved to Texas and began a new chapter as a teacher. While I loved teaching, I found myself drawn back to those memories of home. I started baking in my spare time and selling my cakes and treats at local farmers’ markets. What began as a small side project quickly grew as people returned week after week for a taste of something homemade.
Before long, that little farmers’ market venture had blossomed into something I had only dreamed about—a beautifully decorated English tearoom. Today, I serve traditional afternoon tea with freshly made sandwiches, warm scones, premium loose-leaf teas, and sweet treats, all presented on fine English china.
Eight years later, I still feel incredibly fortunate to spend my days sharing a tradition that means so much to me. Every pot of tea, every tiered stand, and every table setting is inspired by the simple hospitality I grew up with in England: making people feel welcome, cared for, and at home.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
One of the biggest challenges came during COVID. Like so many small businesses, we found ourselves opening, closing, reopening, and then closing again, never quite knowing what the next few weeks would bring. It was an uncertain and stressful time.
What made it especially difficult was that afternoon tea is all about bringing people together. It’s about conversation, celebrations, family gatherings, and sharing a pot of tea around a table. Suddenly, the very thing that made the experience so special wasn’t possible.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
What I love most about this business is how unique it is. There are a few tea rooms in Austin, but not many, so visiting a tearoom still feels like a special occasion.
When guests walk through the door, they’re greeted by a bright, welcoming space filled with charming decorations and thoughtful details. Every table is already set with tablecloths, fine china, teacups, and teapots. There is something wonderful about seeing a beautifully laid table waiting for you. It’s an experience that has become quite rare.
I love all the traditions and little details that come with afternoon tea. The china, the serving pieces, the tiered stands—everything helps create a sense of occasion.
Most of all, I love how afternoon tea encourages people to slow down. Guests aren’t rushing through a meal. They settle in, pour a cup of tea, and spend time together. A traditional afternoon tea unfolds over three courses: savoury sandwiches and bites, freshly baked scones served with jam and cream, and finally a selection of sweets and pastries. The scone course is really the heart of the experience.
Because of that rhythm, people stay longer. They talk more. They reconnect with friends and family, celebrate special moments, and enjoy each other’s company. In a world where everything seems to move so quickly, I think that’s something truly special.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
My advice for anyone starting a business is to understand that every business goes through different stages, and each stage requires something different from you.
I’ve often thought that a business is a bit like raising a child. In the beginning, it’s completely dependent on you. It needs your attention, your energy, and your constant care. You’re involved in every detail, and it can feel overwhelming at times.
As the business grows, it becomes more stable and begins to develop its own rhythm. You start building systems, creating processes, and trusting other people to help carry the vision forward. Eventually, there comes a point where you can step back from some of the day-to-day responsibilities and allow others to take ownership of parts of the business.
I think it’s important to remember that you won’t have to nurture it in the same way forever. Every stage has a beginning and an end. The challenges you’re facing today won’t be the challenges you’re facing five years from now.
Growth doesn’t have to happen quickly to be meaningful. As long as you’re moving forward, even gradually, you’re making progress. Enjoy each stage for what it is, learn from it, and trust that you’ll know when it’s time for the next chapter.
Pricing:
- $48 for the full afternoon tea service
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.austinenglishtea.com
- Instagram: @austinenglishtea
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AustinEnglishTeaCompany
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/austin-english-tea-company-austin?osq=Austin+English+Tea+Company
