Aces of Trades: Ella Williams owns teatime business and teaches etiquette classes

PICKERINGTON − A Columbus-area company is making inroads into Fairfield County this summer.

Ella Williams owns Posh Teatime Co. Her tea trailer, dubbed Queen Charlotte, will be visiting the Wizard Faire in August at Victory Park and a fall market in Lancaster.

"We're a social enterprise," Williams, a Pickerington Area Chamber of Commerce member, said. "We are a mobile tea room currently. We teach home economics, etiquette and life-skill classes through the art of teatime. The other part of our business is that we offer vintage china, crystal cutlery, food and tea. We bring those to people's homes or venues. They have a really opulent afternoon tea or high tea experience in the privacy of their home."

The teas include ice teas and mock teatails. Sorbet, pastries and ice cream are also available from the mobile business.

Posh Teatime Co. opened in 2021. Williams said it is the only Ohio tearoom business owned by an African-American Muslim female.

"For me it started because I'm a former foster care kid," she said. "So being in the foster care system and getting custody of my sister at a young age, I really wanted to start a business that helped children, especially young adults, learn etiquette.

"But I also love teatime. So I went to England and got my international certification as an international etiquette and protocol consultant. I really wanted to use my skills to be able to help youth through the art of teatime."

Williams said some things her students may not know about etiquette including knowing how to open and place a napkin and the differences in holding cutlery in American and continental styles of dining.

"That is a huge thing that you would be surprised how many people don't know how to use their cutlery," she said.

Williams said her business has gone over well with her clients.

"People are usually so excited," she said. "People who usually don't drink tea, they absolutely fall in love with our imported teas that we use. An afternoon tea is just an amazing way to actually build rapport, build relationships and concentrate on taking the time to listen to others. Usually, we're on the go all the time. But this is a time to slow down."

Away from work, Williams said her teatime business is her hobby and her passion. She also works full-time for Bath and Body Works as an Information technology (IT) analyst.

jbarron@gannett.com

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Twitter/X: @JeffDBarron