The Spice & Tea Exchange Celebrates National Women's Small Business Month

The Spice & Tea Exchange® Celebrates National Women's Small Business Month by Honoring Female Founders & Modern-Day Trading Post Heritage

Women-Founded Franchise Continues to Thrive on Connection, Commerce, and Community

ST. AUGUSTINE, FL. – In recognition of National Women's Small Business Month, The Spice & Tea Exchange® is celebrating the women who built its foundation and the values that continue to guide its growth.

Founded by Amy Freeman, now Chief Executive Officer, and Penny Rehling, now President, The Spice & Tea Exchange® was created with a vision to revive the spirit of the traditional trading post for the modern age, creating spaces where people gather, discover, and connect through the shared language of flavor.

Launched in 2008 during the Great Recession, The Spice & Tea Exchange® was built on resilience and community, qualities that remain at the heart of the brand today. What started as a single store in St. Augustine, Florida, has grown into a national franchise network offering guests a curated selection of more than 140 handcrafted spice blends, fine loose-leaf teas, salts, sugars, and gourmet gifts.

"When we founded The Spice & Tea Exchange®, our goal was to create something lasting; a brand that could bring people together the way trading posts once did," said Amy Freeman, CEO and Co-Founder. "Whether it's a local guest discovering a new flavor or a franchise owner realizing their dream of business ownership, that sense of connection is still at the heart of everything that we do."

Today, the brand stands as a testament to the power of women-led entrepreneurship and collaboration. Freeman and Rehling built a company designed to endure, one that empowers local business owners, many of them women, to build meaningful community connections through the shared experience of flavor exploration.

"Our stores are gathering places," said Penny Rehling, President and Co-Founder. "Just like the trading posts that inspired us, they're about much more than just commerce. These stores are about people. That is what has allowed our brand to grow and adapt through every challenge and every season."

As The Spice & Tea Exchange® celebrates this month dedicated to honoring female entrepreneurs, the company is reaffirming its commitment to building a business that thrives on authenticity, connection, and staying power. Rooted in its mission of creating and sharing the experience of a more flavorful life, The Spice & Tea Exchange® continues to inspire curiosity and connection, inviting guests to explore, create, and share moments that celebrate the joy of flavor. With more than 90 locations nationwide and continued expansion on the horizon, Freeman and Rehling's legacy continues to inspire the next generation of women in business.

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About The Spice & Tea Exchange®

Established in 2008, The Spice & Tea Exchange® is a specialty retail brand offering over 140 fine spices, 85 hand-mixed seasoning blends, 40 exotic loose-leaf teas, naturally flavored sugars, and salts from around the world, creating a destination where guests explore, taste, and discover new flavors. Currently operating in 38 states with nearly 100 stores, the brand is looking for passionate entrepreneurs to bring a special sensory experience to their local communities.