durham inc.
HOT SHOTS
WE CHAT WITH PAUL DAVIS AND GAVIN JOCIUS OF MOSI TEA BY A M B E R WAT S O N | P H O T O G R A P H Y C O U R T E S Y O F M O S I T E A
HEN ENTREPRENEUR Paul Davis first came up with the idea for a portable, all-in-one tea infuser, it was a matter of fulfilling a personal desire to enjoy loose-leaf tea and other beverages easily on the go. Mosi Tea was officially incorporated in 2019, but the LLC dates back to 2017 when Paul, its founder and CEO, started working on the project. We asked Paul and Gavin Jocius, his business partner and COO, about Mosi Tea’s successes, challenges and connections to Durham.
Can you give us a brief biography of your personal and professional lives? PAUL DAVIS I grew up as a missionary kid living in Africa for 10 years and called many places home before settling in Durham a decade ago. My wife and I have been married 10 years and have two boys with one more on the way. I’ve spent time working in both e-commerce and [software as a service]. Prior to Mosi, I was the fourth employee at a highgrowth e-commerce company that grew from $0 to $22 million per year in four short years. I then co-founded Boostopia, a support operations software company. GAVIN JOCIUS I grew up outside of Toronto and have called North Carolina home since 2006. I met my wife [while] working at Duke University (with both a master of arts and master of business administration from Duke, I’m a die-hard Blue Devil
134
|
durhammag.com
|
fan), and we now have two girls. I’ve spent the past two decades working in e-commerce and information technology. Prior to Mosi, I ran the Raleigh-based online art brands Mosi Tea CEO Paul Davis and COO Gavin Jocius. Canvas on Demand and Great Big Canvas with more than 200 What makes Mosi stand out holding loose-leaf tea that is full-time employees, selling wall from other tea products on reversible and easy to clean. The art all over the world. the market? whole point is to make it as easy GJ Our patented Mosi Tea as possible. Fill the sieve with What was the inspiration behind Infuser is the world’s first multitea/coffee and water, flip it for the creation of Mosi Tea? brew device that allows you to the desired steeping time, turn PD The idea came from a need brew the perfect cup of anything it right-side up, and you’re ready to solve my own problem of on the go: coffee, matcha, tea, to enjoy it! not being able to brew different cold brew, etc. The infuser is drinks in one bottle and it not made from double-walled, How many employees does being easily portable, hence BPA-free Tritan, which is durable Mosi Tea have? Mosi’s tagline: “Brew anything, and shatter resistant. It also GJ Right now, it is just me anywhere.” I wanted to create has a leakproof locking lid that and Paul in Durham and a an easy way for anyone to brew allows you to open and close it collection of highly skilled high-quality tea or coffee while with one hand. The infuser also professional contractors they were away from the kitchen. comes with a silicone sieve for around the world. We have
j u n e / j u ly 2 0 2 2