Spill the Tea Cafe says: do it scared!
Wow—did 2 and a half years just flyyy by?! It feels like just yesterday we opened Spill The Tea Cafe in response to the youth mental health crisis here in Hawaii. It's hard to believe, right? Did you know when we opened STTC, I was absolutely terrified, nauseous, scared...I was scared to take out a loan. Scared of the unknown. Scared to quit my job. Scared to learn something BRAND new. Scared of failing....Every single step scared me to death.
But you know what? I DID IT SCARED.
And, to be honest, there are still days I’m scared we might have to close our doors.
But doing it scared has resulted in something amazing—A café that has become a safe haven for over 500 teens in Hawaii. Looking back, I'm in awe of everyone who's been part of this journey:
⭐ To my son, who rallied friends + family to renovate and build this café DIY—thank you.
⭐ To our local queens, who performed to keep us afloat when we couldn't make payroll—thank you.
⭐ To my friend's brother who donated 3 soundproof pods when we ran out of space for more counseling offices—thank you.
⭐ To my mom + grandma, who transformed into fierce allies, opening their hearts in ways I never expected—thank you.
⭐ To Billy, who has gifted our whole team more than 50 hours of business coaching FOR FREE —thank you.
⭐ To Susan + Rachel for pushing me to take this leap—thank you.
⭐ To all my friends and fam who haven't seen me in 2.5 years—thank you.
⭐ To every person who showed up, pitched in, or sent good vibes our way—thank you.
⭐ To my DREAM TEAM, Katie, Kiki, Deizha, Tisha + Jet (+ ALL our clinicians, teen mentors, + interns)—THANK YOU.
❤️Most importantly, MAHALO to the kids who trust us every day. Your courage to show up, to be vulnerable, to grow – you inspire me to keep pushing through my own fears.
None of these beautiful moments would have happened if I hadn’t leaped, despite the fear.
I’m here to remind you: It’s okay to be scared. It’s okay to do it scared. Fear is often a byproduct of the society we live in—a tool that tries to keep us small, especially for those of us from marginalized or underestimated backgrounds. This world might try to box you in, tell you what you can't do. Especially if you're not who they expect to see winning. But guess what? You're here to prove them wrong. Every time you step into this café, you're making a statement. We're not just serving boba – we're serving up dreams, ambition, and pure, unapologetic power.
As we approach our 3-year mark, we face a new challenge, but also an incredible opportunity. In March 2025, we become 3 years old + eligible for state and federal grants. This could be a game-changer, allowing us to keep our doors open and expand our support for the youth who need us. But to get there, we need your help. These next six months are crucial, and we can't do it alone!!
Will you Hit reply and let me know:
What does Spill the Tea mean to you?
How might you want to get involved to help us reach year 3?
Have you checked out our podcast yet?
🗓🌈YOUTH COMMUNITY CALENDAR 🌈🗓
🎃 Spill The Tea Cafe Halloween Party! 👻
Mark your calendars for a night of frightful fun! Whether you're ready to belt out your favorite karaoke tunes or show off your best costume, this is the event you don’t want to miss! 🎤🕸️
🗓 Date: Friday, October 18th
⏰ Time: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
📍 Location: Spill The Tea Café
What's Happening:
🎤 Epic karaoke battles
🧙♂️ Halloween costume showcase
🎃 Delicious refreshments & spooky treats
Honolulu Pride 🌈
Location: Waikiki Shell
Date: October 19th, 2024
Time: Parade 4:00pm | Festival 5:00pm
📅 Main Events:
✨ Sunset Parade down Kalākaua Ave at 4:00 pm on October 19
✨ Festival at Waikīkī Shell starting at 5:00 pm – featuring live entertainment, food, vendors, and family-friendly fun at the Keiki & Ohana tent.
We’re excited to announce Spill The Tea Cafe is partnering with Honolulu Pride this year to lead programming for the Keiki & Ohana tent, including:
🎨 Arts & Crafts
🎧 Silent Disco
🏰 Bouncy House
📖 Drag Storytime and more
Rainbow Prom 👑
📍Location: Capitol Modern - 250 South Hotel St
🗓Date: October 25th, 2024
⏰Time: 5:00pm - 9:00pm
Rainbow Prom is an inclusive celebration where LGBTQ+ youth and allies come together to enjoy a night of music, dancing, and community.
Designed as a safe and affirming space, Rainbow Prom embraces everyone’s true colors, providing an unforgettable evening filled with joy, acceptance, and pride. Whether you're dressed to the nines or rocking your favorite casual outfit, this prom is all about being yourself and celebrating love in all its forms.
With endless gratitude, courage, + yes, a little fear,
❤️ Haylin
