Mission Statement
The Diamond Tea is a fusion of an English High Tea’s elegance and sophistication with the opportunity for self-reflection and discovery of one’s true identity.
The Diamond Tea offers life-changing speaker presentations, women-owned business vendor booths, a sophisticated menu, inspiring event design and philanthropic opportunities. These combine to create an experience that bring together an outstanding and diverse group of women who are given the opportunity to realize, remember and reclaim their authentic self and unique life purpose while supporting outstanding women-in-need nonprofits and children’s education.
We invite you to join us and reach out to both our guests and benefiting non-profits through the Diamond Tea.
Then & Now
Tea for Women – 2008
In 2008, I co-hosted an English High Tea with a mother, Regina Rivera, from my children’s school, Pacific Crest Academy in Camas, Washington, as a buy-in party at our school’s annual Gala and Auction. A few months later, twelve women sat around the beautiful dining room table of my co-host’s home, enjoying tea, a delightful menu and wonderful conversation. That day, I experienced the powerful realization remembering the joy I receive from hosting events for women. This allowed me to reclaim the sense of being joyfully alive not just living.
Producing events that allow others to realize, remember and reclaim their true selves gives me a renewed existence. With my husband’s love and encouragement, I founded Quintessential Productions.
Benefit Tea – 2009
From the wonderful 2008 afternoon tea came the 2009 Benefit Tea. We welcomed 98 women! In addition to enjoying an English style high tea, we also offered wonderful speakers and a special philanthropic appeal to our guests.
The positive response from all of the women guests was overwhelming. The Fairgate Inn graciously donated their stunning ballroom and homemade English tea menu. The ticket sales and special appeal raised over seven thousand dollars. More than $5000.00 was donated to Pacific Crest Academy and almost $2000.00 was donated to Evergreen Habitat for Humanity Women Build. Our fundraising success was due to all costs being underwritten by generous benefactors.
2nd Annual Benefit Tea – 2010
In 2010 we outgrew our 2009 venue and welcomed 225 women to the Heathman Lodge in Vancouver, Washington to enjoy the 2nd Annual Benefit Tea! National keynote speaker, Katie Harman Ebner, inspired the guests with her powerful address: “The Extraordinary Measures of Ordinary Women”. Guests enjoyed shopping in the new vendor area where 15 local women-owned businesses showcased their products and services. In-kind donations of products or services totaled over $16,000 and allowed the event to be a phenomenal experience. In the effort to be a self sustaining event, ticket sales covered remaining event expenses. The special appeal raised exactly $4,000.00. All of these funds were donated 80/20 to Pacific Crest Academy and Evergreen Habitat for Humanity Women Build.
New Name and Logo
At the 2010 Benefit Tea, I stated: “I’d like to compare today’s event to a diamond. A diamond’s integrity is determined by four qualities: cut, color, clarity and carat. Each quality is equally important. Today’s Annual Benefit Tea is also determined by four qualities, also of equal importance. We strive to inspire each guest in their unique life. We strive to provide an opportunity for solidarity and networking among women. And we strive to fundraise for women-in-need nonprofits and childrens’ education.” I realized that I wanted this event to capture the fact that it’s more than a Benefit Tea. I wanted to capture that element that emerges each time this event has taken place: the beauty of the women, both inside and out, and their radiance and energy as they come together to nurture themselves, each other and the local community.
The new look reflects the evolution of the event, from friendship, to Benefit Tea to…Diamond Tea.
