Essex based business Mixala Chai is backing UK Small Business Week after founder Jaspreet Kalley built a premium wellness chai brand inspired by family, culture, and the challenge of balancing entrepreneurship with raising three young children.
Award winning Mixala is different to traditional chais. Served in biodegradable pyramid teabags, Mixala contains no milk, no sugar and nothing artificial. Only real tea leaves, whole functional spices, all-natural ingredients, and adventurous flavours.
The Essex business is supporting the nationwide initiative launched by entrepreneur Nigel Botterill and backed by Entrepreneurs Circle to recognise the contribution small firms make to local communities and the wider economy.
Mixala creates premium chai blends inspired by Jaspreet’s British, Indian and Tanzanian heritage, with the business aiming to bring a different chai experience to UK consumers.
Founder Jaspreet Kalley said:
“Chai has always been part of family life and culture for me, but I realised many people in the UK only really associated chai with powders or chai lattes.”
“I wanted to create something natural, yet modern, and something that shows chai can be adventurous, different, and good for you.”
The business was built while Jaspreet was pregnant with her third child.
She said small businesses often involve enormous unseen work behind the scenes.
“There are days where you’re juggling parenting, packing orders, customer service, social media and product development all at once.”
“But there’s also huge pride in building something meaningful and seeing people genuinely connect with it.”
Mixala has continued growing through online sales, social media and repeat customers while developing a loyal customer base around its all-natural chai blends and gifting products.
Jaspreet said independent businesses often bring much more personality and authenticity into products and experiences.
“Small businesses are often built around real stories and genuine passion,” she said.
“That personal connection is something customers increasingly value.”
She believes campaigns like UK Small Business Week are important because they recognise the resilience and contribution of smaller independent firms.
“Behind every small business there are people taking risks, working long hours and trying to create something positive,” she said.
“That deserves recognition.”
Nigel Botterill, founder of UK Small Business Week and Entrepreneurs Circle, said:
“Small businesses are the backbone of Britain, but too often they’re taken for granted.
“These are the firms creating jobs, supporting communities and keeping local economies alive. UK Small Business Week is about recognising the people behind those businesses and giving them the spotlight they deserve.”
UK Small Business Week runs from 1–7 June and will see businesses across the country taking part in local events, social media activity and community campaigns celebrating independent firms and entrepreneurship.
