Zhena's Gypsy Tea Attempts To Take Down the Republic

Zhena Muzyka, who's 54 now, began her tea trade in 2001 with $3,000,and a son, Sage, who needed an operation and special care as a baby. Nine years later her brand is selling everywhere from Whole Foods to Food Emporium. Muzyka's tale has now attracted someone who can take Zhena's to the next level. Formerly COO at Republic of Tea, Stuart Avery Gold is the ying to Muzyka's yang. As she's created wild new formulations he's segmented and repackaged her brand. Design is a marketing tool. Gold's packaging initiative segmented the brand and turned tins into eye candy on shelf. There are cocktail-inspired teas (Berry Bellini, Coconut Rum) and Beyond Organic, a line of biodynamic tea based on rigid farming guidelines, will launch at Whole Foods in April.