Health Update: Elations Health Tea Brings a Wellness-Focused Alternative to Flint – Flintside – What Experts Say

FLINT, Michigan — As winter settles over the city, local entrepreneur Jennifer Johnson is offering a warm, wellness-centered alternative to the seasonal slump through her business, Elations Health Tea. Whether it’s green tea or an herbal blend, Johnson is on a mission to shift how people think about their daily caffeine habits, advocating tea as a more sustainable and nourishing choice, as well as a pathway to boundaries, self-care, and balance.

“Tea in the morning is actually more sustainable than coffee,” Johnson said. “You get the caffeine without the crash.”

Established in 2021, Elations Health Tea is a Flint-based wellness brand focused on crafting flavorful, nourishing teas that support everyday health. Johnson’s passion for tea began early, rooted in family and tradition. She recalls discovering her love for tea while helping her grandmother, learning both its cultural significance and its wellness benefits.

“It was personal at first,” she said. “But I realized a lot of people needed it.”

That realization took shape during what Johnson describes as a very demanding season of her life. At the time, she and her husband were overworked, raising young children, while also running Prestige Janitorial Services, a business Johnson co-owns that was established in 2012. Tea became her grounding ritual—something simple that helped her slow down and reset, even briefly. Over time, that small act of care grew into a business that offers others the same sense of pause and restoration.

As a Flint native, Johnson continues to raise her family here, a decision rooted in pride, responsibility, and community connection. Because of that, building Elations in Flint felt natural. She describes Flint as a city that understands perseverance, noting that Elations was born from that same spirit. Wellness, she explained, is not a luxury in Flint—it is a necessity shaped by the realities of hard work, caregiving, and resilience.

Now expanding its reach, Elations Health Tea is available to local retailers, cafés, and wellness businesses through wholesale and bulk ordering. Customers can also purchase blends online or in person at the Shops on Saginaw, a collection of pop-up shops located between First Street and Saginaw Street in downtown Flint.

“I wish I could start a campaign about that place,” Johnson said. “More people need to know about it.”

Her commitment to supporting local commerce is intentional. Johnson prioritizes reinvesting in her community and building personal connections through small businesses rather than relying on large retailers. “I wish more people would shop locally,” she said. “Big grocers lack that personal touch. Their coffee section just says, ‘Pick one and go.’”

As a wife and mother of two, she credits discipline and intentional self-care with helping her manage multiple roles.

“My tea ritual is my time,” Johnson said. “It’s the moment I block out for myself where I’m not working—just me and my tea for an hour or two.” She encourages others to create their own rituals, even in small ways. “It doesn’t have to be daily or long,” she added. “Even once a week for 10 minutes makes a difference.”

At its core, Elations exists to support everyday self-care through intentional tea rituals that promote balance, boundaries, and well-being, particularly during demanding seasons of life. Johnson also emphasizes the health benefits of tea, describing it as one of the healthiest beverages a person can choose, second only to water. Tea, she explained, is rich in antioxidants that can reduce the risk of stroke and diabetes while also supporting mental health.

So when people drink Elations Tea, Johnson hopes they feel grounded, calm, and present. More than anything, she wants the experience to feel like care—something that gives people permission to slow down and tend to themselves. At the same time, she is intentional about flavor and comfort, wanting each blend to be something customers genuinely enjoy and look forward to.

For Johnson, the brand reflects who she is both as a woman and an entrepreneur. Elations was created during a season that demanded balance, patience, and self-awareness, values that continue to guide how she leads and grows the business. She believes caring for oneself is essential to building anything lasting.

The most rewarding part of running Elations, Johnson said, has been seeing people make healthier choices in simple, approachable ways. Hearing that someone has incorporated tea into their routine for wellness or balance reminds her that small habits can create meaningful change.

For those in Flint hoping to turn their passion into a business, Johnson offers grounded advice shaped by experience. It takes hard work, sacrifice, and persistence, she said, especially in a city that knows struggle and resilience firsthand. Staying focused, learning along the way, and refusing to give up are what turn a dream into something real.

To stay connected with Elations Health Tea, community members can follow the brand on Instagram, reach out via email, or visit their website for updates on new blends and special announcements.