How To Love Being A Spirit-Fed Entrepreneur When Things Get Rough” speaks to the paradox: why “enough” matters.
In a world obsessed with “more”—more revenue, more followers, more everything—the truth is, not everyone finds fulfillment in the more. Sometimes, enough is the most radical, sustaining choice a spirit-fed entrepreneur can make.
Sisters Robin and Sue, the heart and soul behind The Copper Kettle Tea Bar in Foley, Alabama, have built a thriving haven by flipping the script on traditional business advice. Their tearoom is not about franchising or chasing trends, but about sanctuary, soul, and service.
Spirit-Fed Entrepreneurs Flip The Script
“We at the Copper Kettle believe in offering a sacred space for those to gather and feed the spirit to build a soulful community,” says Robin. Their philosophy is rooted in faith, shaped by family wisdom, and grounded in “tea-ing”—the daily practice of hospitality and connection.
Robin, a food magician, and Sue, INFP (the Seeker Type), a genius in operations, technology and community building embody the truth that not all entrepreneurs are cut from the same cloth. Both have faced doubts: will contentment look like enough in a world worshiping more? What about those moments when every business magazine urges you to scale? Their answer: “It’s a reminder to pause, slow down, and focus on what truly matters.”
Guests return to The Copper Kettle for more than the best scones or the biggest tea selection in southern Alabama. Locals and travelers alike call it “a little piece of heaven” and a “journey around the world with tea and a visit to grandma’s,” citing its community-centering warmth and joyful themed events.
Robin and Sue have weathered storms by nurturing faith, practicing gratitude, and staying grounded in their vision:
“Knowing what my work is has helped me really see clearly what and why I am doing. It frees me from the ego and misplaced responsibility sometimes business owners take on.” —Sue Adams INTP, The Seeking Traveler.
Interview Spotlight: Robin Peters on the Roots of Spirit-Fed Entrepreneurship
Q: What shaped your journey as a spirit-fed entrepreneur at The Copper Kettle Tea Bar?
Robin Peters:
“I come from a family of strong, inspiring women—each leaving her own mark on my journey. My grandmother’s entrepreneurial spirit paved the way for me: her resilience continues to guide everything I do. Both of my parents urged me to savor life and to invest in community and hospitality. My sister Sue is pure magic in the kitchen (I joke that she got all the culinary genes!), while I discovered my strengths in operations, technology, and building relationships with other business owners.
Together, these influences shaped our company and grounded us in what we call ‘tea-ing’—our essential practice. From the start, our philosophy has been unwavering: The Copper Kettle is a sanctuary of hospitality, a refuge of inclusivity, a place for sacred connection. Our mission? To nourish the spirit, nurture the soul, and bring people together as a true community.”
—Robin Peters and Sue Adams, co-founders of The Copper Kettle Tea Bar
For me it is believing I am not the source , God is and he created us all with a uniqueness that is valued and important …what we call work. – Robin Peters, the co founder of The Copper Kettle Tea Bar.
Spirit-Fed at the Core: (un)Branding and the Power of Pause
Q: How Do You Measure Success?
At The Copper Kettle, spirit-fed isn’t just a tagline—it’s the foundation of everything Robin and Sue do, and the secret behind their quietly powerful approach to business. For them, success isn’t measured in followers or expansion, but in the sanctuary they create for their guests and for themselves.
Robin puts it simply:
“For me, the tea room’s philosophy is a reminder to pause, slow down, and focus on what truly matters. Most workplace challenges or unexpected events are just temporary setbacks—they only become life-altering if I allow them to have that power.”
This gentle, authentic perspective isn’t just the business’s unwritten brand—it’s Robin and Sue’s way of leading with intention. In a marketplace obsessed with defining and promoting your brand, their form of “unbranding” stands out: centering self-care, mindfulness, and perspective over aggressive, hustle-based marketing.
Through this lens, The Copper Kettle becomes more than a place to enjoy a cup of tea. It becomes a living example of how prioritizing well-being—your own and your community’s—creates resilience and clarity. Robin’s reflection reminds all entrepreneurs that by grounding yourself in what matters most, you can navigate challenges with grace, maintain balance, and stay true to your mission… no matter what storms may come.
How to Thrive as a Spirit-Fed Entrepreneur During Tough Times
Q: How Do You Thrive During Tough Times?
Robin and Sue know that the path of a spirit-fed entrepreneur isn’t always tranquil. Obstacles, unexpected turns, and moments of doubt are part of the journey—but how you move through them makes all the difference. Here are their personal, time-tested approaches for nurturing your soul and business, even in life’s storms:
1. Ground Yourself in Faith
“When challenges arise, anchor yourself in your spiritual beliefs. Whether it’s meditation, Qigong, breathwork, or simply a quiet walk, returning to your inner core helps restore clarity and stability.”
2. Cultivate a Positive Mindset
“Setbacks are windows for growth, not dead ends. View obstacles as opportunities for personal development—as we explore in Unpack Your Personality. Surround yourself with supportive voices, use affirmations, seek inspiration, and let positivity be your guide.”
3. Embrace Adaptability
“While faith keeps you rooted, let your branches sway. Openness to change allows you to spot new opportunities—and sometimes, the best business ideas come from gracefully navigating the unexpected.”
4. Seek Guidance and Wisdom
“Trusting your intuition is part of being spirit-led, but so is seeking counsel from mentors and kindred spirits. Sometimes your instincts point to new horizons that logic alone could never find.”
5. Practice Gratitude
“Gratitude is our north star. Even on hard days, pausing to appreciate what matters most—life, lessons, community—reshapes your outlook and sparks joy. Celebrate the little victories and cherish growth, no matter how small.”
With these practices at heart, Robin and Sue have built not just The Copper Kettle—but a life and legacy of meaning, resilience, and authentic connection. Their advice is clear: true thriving comes from tending your inner garden, no matter how rough the season outside.
Knowing what my work is has helped me really see clearly what and why I am doing. It frees me from the ego and misplaced responsibility sometimes business owners take on
– Sue Adams, Co-Founder, The Copper Kettle Tea Bar.
What can you learn from their journey?
When things get rough:
Define your ‘enough.’ Success doesn’t always mean going bigger.
Clear your environment. Fill it with what uplifts you and your community.
Practice daily renewal. Faith, gratitude, and intuition are business strategies too.
Focus on your people. Hospitality and joy leave a legacy.
Take setbacks in stride. Not every bump is a disaster—most are just moments.
Reach out and receive help. Connection is essential.
The paradox is clear: sometimes less is more. A spirit-fed business, grounded in values and served up with love, can outlast, outshine, and outnourish the highest high-rises. The Copper Kettle sisters prove you don’t have to fit a stereotype or follow the crowd to thrive. Find your enough. Protect it. And serve it with joy.
Do connect with The Copper and Kettle Tea Bar
- website: www.thecopperkettleteabar.com
- Instagram: @copperkettleteabar
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/CopperKettle.TeaBar
For more inspiration or resources on soul-fueled entrepreneurship, see the additional links below!
Want to Dive Deeper? I Got You
If this speaks to you even a little bit, check out my podcast interview on The Beauty in the Mess with host Michelle Sims
🎧 What If You’ve Been Chasing The Wrong Version of Success All Along
👉 Listen here.
Thank you, Michelle, for believing in me — and allowing me to share my journey 🩵
Read:
🔖 Embrace the Soul Self in Business: click here to read more.
👓 How One ENFP Is A Champion For Forgotten Women Artists: click here to read more.
📖 Do Popular Trends Benefit Your Mind or Undermine You?
📚 Or grab a copy of my debut book: Unpack Your Personality: Let Your Inner Guide Be Your Travel Guide
Watch:
👀 YouTube channel if the spirit moves you. 🙏
Travel A Tonic for Self-Discovery
Can you see why I staunchly believe that travel is a tonic for the soul? Travel offers a real-time opportunity to observe your personality type in action. It’s an enriching environment—a living classroom for self-discovery—that exposes you to diverse experiences. This encourages self-reflection, fosters personal growth, and provides countless opportunities to step outside your comfort zone.
This post offers a sneak peek into my book, Unpack Your Personality: Let Your Inner Guide Be Your Travel Guide. It’s part memoir (my story of self-discovery through travel), part introduction to Spiritual Personality Typing℠—a reimagining of Myers-Briggs (MBTI) through the lens of spiritual alignment—and part personalized travel guidebook. The idea is that all of these roads lead to self-discovery.
Please know that I curate these posts to be both meaningful and educational, designed to help you navigate the needs of your sacred personality type on the road, in business, and in life. If you’re interested in exploring your unique travel personality type, feel free to contact me me for a one-on-one travel session.
Ready To Get to Know Yourself
Are you ready to embark on the road less traveled and join the rare 10% who truly know themselves? If you’re seeking more, I offer bespoke one-on-one sessions designed to help you discover yourself from the inside out. This is pure self-awareness—an opportunity to connect with your authentic self.
Together, we’ll shine a light on self-sabotaging behaviors and break negative cycles. We’ll also explore what brings you the greatest joy, both in daily life and on your travels.
Ready to start your journey? Let’s connect and uncover the unique path meant just for you. Click here to schedule a 1:1 clarity call.
More About Spiritual Personality Typing℠
My goal is to shift perspectives around MBTI® personality typing—to break free from stereotypes and oversimplifications. Remember, your personality type is sacred. Your persona is just a mask.
It’s my intention that you begin to see your archetype as a sacred tool—an expression of your true self.
Of course, good things in life come to those who do the work. Take responsibility and make personality typing, infused with spiritual understanding, a daily practice. You’ll soon realize that your rational self and your soul self rely on each other to ignite a soulful meaningful life. When you fully embrace this concept, a profound awakening occurs. It moves you closer to your truth, liberating you from a purposeless existence.
You’ll be ready for any occasion, situation, or event—whether it’s travel, relationships, career, passion, or purpose. Ahh, living a meaningful life—isn’t that what we all desire?
Please Share: How To Love Being A Spirit-Fed Entrepreneur When Things Get Rough?
It’s always my intention to encourage you and plant seeds to help you think differently. To tap into the unique aspects of your true self through spiritual personality type. By doing so, we can collectively raise the vibration of the planet. If you know someone—a friend, co-worker, or family member—who is struggling with self-understanding or seeking their true self, please share this post with them. You never know who might need this message today.
You can also find me on Pinterest, Instagram, and LinkedIn. for more inspiration and resources.
Who Is Nina Zapala?
Hey, I’m Nina Zapala—creator of Spiritual Personality Typing℠, a new way to connect your mind and spirit so you can actually show up as your real self. My mission? Plant seeds for a fresh kind of thinking—where self-expression isn’t just allowed, it’s unstoppable.
I’m also the mind behind the (un)Brand: a soul-first, zero-cookie-cutter approach for founders who are done with branding clichés and performance games. No more approval-chasing. No more shrinking to fit in. The (un)Brand helps you show up fully—characteristically authentic, unapologetic, and 100% you.
With decades in branding, community, and cause marketing (and 300+ articles to prove it), I help women take back their identity and purpose. My book, Unpack Your Personality Let Your Inner Guide Be Your Travel Guide., is your invite to trust your gut and journey inward.
Let’s be real—someone rocks blue hair or pitches a bold idea, and most people roll their eyes or back away. My work? Burns old scripts. Instead we light up what makes you exquisitely different.
Photo Credit: The Cooper Kettle Tea Bar
