Nourishing Family & Community Through Small Business
Tianna Christensen’s Tuwin Tian’s Lemonade Blends Indigenous Foods with Summer Joy
PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Tawney Brunsch, Executive Director
(605) 455-2500
tbrunsch@lakotafunds.org
Tianna Christensen, a fourth generation educator, has always been committed to nurturing community. During the school year, she pours herself into creating powerful learning opportunities for her special education students. But with support from Lakota Funds, she’s also channeling her boundless energy into growing Tuwin Tian’s Lemonade–the small business she runs alongside her family. All summer long, Tianna creates her delicious fresh lemonades infused with traditional Lakota foods, bringing joy to community members of all ages.
“I identify as an educator. I always carry that with me–it’s my passion. So at home, during the summer, I felt like I was at a standstill. In taking a step back, I realized I wanted to find something beyond the classroom, to discover myself in a new capacity. Because I'm really all about trying to reach all the limits and digging deep in all aspects of myself,” Tianna shared.
“Once I thought through becoming a vendor and selling lemonade, I realized it would immerse me in the community in a whole new way. For me, it feels so wholesome to be out in the community during the summertime–seeing my students and their families outside the school environment at community events and celebrations. I’m proud of myself for taking this journey, and grateful to my family, as well as the team at Lakota Funds, for all the support they’ve given.”
Tianna’s vision for Tuwin Tian’s Lemonade was sparked by an online video about a woman who created a similar business to help pay back her student loans. Once the idea took root, members of Tianna’s family started helping her take steps to bring the business to life, from finding equipment to experimenting with lemonade recipes. But in order to grow, and specifically to purchase a trailer to bring her lemonade to the community, she knew she’d need resources to invest in her business. That’s when she reached out to Nicole Pourier, Business Development Coach at Lakota Funds.
“I explained my goals to Nicole and she was so welcoming. Instead of just sending me to create a business plan on my own, she immediately asked me to come in so we could walk through the process together. Then she got me in touch with Ryan [Lakota Funds’ Loan Officer], and we started to run numbers, so that I could understand the financials and what it would take to be successful,” said Tianna.
“At the time I was nervous, because it was going from hypothetical to real numbers–and it can be intimidating if you’re not familiar with all the financial terms around banking and loans. But both Ryan and Nicole answered all of my questions and worked hard to make me feel comfortable and confident and supported. I think that’s hugely important within our community, because there are many people who have amazing business ideas, but don’t know exactly how to pursue them. Just being able to sit down with Ryan and Nicole, and to be vulnerable and ask questions, was so reassuring. They never once made me feel like my vulnerability was a mistake, and they were willing to teach and support and encourage me at every step.”
Tianna’s inspiration to blend traditional Indigenous foods into her lemonades also came through her family. Last summer, while out harvesting ripe chokecherries, her dad asked her what she thought a chokecherry lemonade might taste like. Tianna developed a recipe and it immediately became a hit with community members. She’s also created a wild plum lemonade to highlight another traditional Lakota food, and she’s considering the possibility of introducing teas made with ceyaka or wild mint. Her commitment to highlighting Indigenous foods gave the Lakota Funds team a unique opportunity to support her business.
“Tianna’s Lakota Funds loan was funded through the Citi Foundation’s 2023 Global Innovation Challenge on Food Security, which supports ideas and projects that address food security and strengthen the physical and financial health of low-income families and communities. That grant gives her 20 percent off the equity or $5000 off the loan, whatever is more,” said Business Development Coach Nicole. “Tianna is such an incredibly smart and vibrant person, and so respected on the reservation and off. It’s wonderful to see her at our fairs and powwows, bringing the community together in that way. I’m so happy we had the opportunity to be a part of expanding her business and supporting her dream.”
With her business thriving, Tianna is looking forward to what comes next. She remains grounded in her work as a special education teacher, and is also pursuing her graduate degree in educational leadership. At the same time, she’s envisioning the future of Tuwin Tian’s Lemonade, including the potential to add another trailer to increase her reach in the community or even establishing a permanent storefront. Growing her business will not only provide Tianna’s family with long term security–it will also allow her to create job opportunities for young people on the reservation. For Tianna, both those goals represent ways she can continue to nurture her community.
“Our ideas are kind of endless right now. It's exciting to be in a place where we can sit and dream about those things. But I love the idea of creating a family business that can someday be passed down to a child, or a niece or nephew–so that they can continue to grow it,” said Tianna.
“As educators, we’re taught to reflect often. As I reflect on this business experience, I’m just so incredibly proud of my family, for how much they supported me. And I’m grateful to Lakota Funds for being there to guide me through this journey. My advice to anyone with a business idea is to reach out to get that guidance and support–because it’s there for you. And then jump in and pursue your dream.”
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Lakota Funds broke ground in 1986 as the country’s first Native American Community Development Financial Institution–with a vision centered on breaking the cycle of generational poverty on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Today, Lakota Funds promotes economic sustainability by providing access to credit for Native people. Learn more at: https://lakotafunds.org/