Hurdles on the path to a dream

They say you need money to make money, and nowhere does that feel more true than when you’re trying to open a business. I always knew starting a teahouse would come with its challenges, but I didn’t quite anticipate how demoralising the search for a store would be.

At first, it was exciting. Walking through spaces, picturing what The Lost Card Teahouse could look like. But the reality quickly set in. Beyond the cost of rent itself, there’s the standard request for a three-month deposit plus a quarter’s rent in advance. Some landlords are even charging VAT on top of already inflated rental prices. One asked us to cover their legal fees. Another included service charges that weren’t made clear until much later in the conversation.

It’s overwhelming. And if you’re a small, independent start-up without investors or deep pockets, it feels like the odds are stacked against you from the start.

We’ve put in offers on two places. One was rejected because they chose another tenant. The second… well, we still haven’t heard back officially, but the agent suspects the landlord doesn’t see our business as viable. It’s hard not to take that personally. We have a concept. We have a clear plan. We have the passion. But none of that seems to matter when all the gatekeepers are only looking at the numbers.

This process has really shaken my spirit. It’s dampened the joy and energy I had at the beginning of this journey. How are small businesses supposed to thrive when no one is willing to give them a chance? It’s heart-breaking to think that the very spaces which could be transformed into something meaningful and community-driven are being priced and managed in ways that push out anyone trying to do something different.

Still, I’m holding on. I believe in The Lost Card Teahouse and what it stands for. I believe there’s a space out there that’s waiting for us—and when we find it, it will all have been worth it. But for now, I just want to share the reality of this stage, in all its frustration and fatigue. Because starting a business isn’t just about a dream. It’s also about navigating a system that doesn’t always make space for dreamers.

Here’s hoping the right space finds us soon.