Smith and NextWorld's Story
The Smith Teamaker team is steeped in tea knowledge thanks to the legacy of Steven Smith, the company’s founder. NextWorld Evergreen was drawn to the creative spirit of the Smith team, which is building a distinct American tea brand that represents “the Most Uncommon Name in Tea”
A Shared Passion for Exceptional Teas
Tea is the second most-consumed beverage in the world after water. Ingredients are sourced worldwide for herbal teas and blends, so if you want to create the best teas available, relationships matter. Smith’s team sustains long term global sourcing relationships with people who share a passion for tea.
Smith’s teamakers are tireless in their commitment to delight tea drinkers. While crafting exceptional teas is a core strength at Smith, the entire team’s determination to deliver outstanding beverage experiences for customers is what really impresses us. A visit to Smith’s tasting rooms is a unique and memorable experience for anyone who enjoys tea.
Favorite Fact
All-hands meetings at Smith start with a tea tasting led by the teamaker team.Making Smith’s Future
Darren Marshall joined Smith as CEO in 2018. A true aficionado, Darren developed his passion for tea while working for over a decade in Asia. As an accomplished musician, he understands the attentive process at the core of Smith’s culture, and he leads the team with creativity and excellence. As a seasoned leader, he anticipates the demands of growth while managing the unique balance of creativity and tradition that is the essential hallmark of Smith Teamaker.
Darren is leading the team to a future built on Steve Smith’s legacy. In our partnership, he brings clear leadership priorities and the determination to focus on operating discipline while inspiring colleagues and customers to follow their passion for exceptional teas.
NextWorld and Beverages
We have developed experience in premium beverage companies both in the U.S. and internationally. We’re confident that the demand for beneficial, healthy beverages will continue to disrupt the beverage market. We’re excited to work with our portfolio and other companies creating leading “better-for-you” beverages with long term growth opportunities.
