Katie McDonald
Full Moon Tea Company – MICRO Fall 2025
Published January 14, 2026
As part of our ‘Meet Our Founders’ series today, we introduce Katie McDonald, Founder of Full Moon Tea Company based in Asheville, NC. Full Moon Tea Company is a woman-owned Asheville brand making bold, botanical loose leaf teas that turn everyday moments into something special..
Q: What does the road ahead look like for your company?
A:The road ahead is bright, and we’re just getting started. We’re moving toward reusable, collectible tins and compostable tea bags to make our packaging as beautiful and sustainable as our blends. Growth for us means reaching more people while staying true to our roots in Asheville and our love of community. We hope to become a household name in natural grocery stores across the country, known for bold, botanical tea that brings joy to every cup.
Q: When did you know you wanted to take an entrepreneurial path?
A: I’ve been a tea nerd my whole life, but at sixteen I knew I wanted to work for myself. I never imagined my entrepreneurial dream would turn into creating my own tea company. Over the years, my love for tea grew from a personal comfort into a creative outlet. Now, it’s become a way to connect with others and build something that feels meaningful every single day.
Q: What have you enjoyed most about starting your own company?
A: What I’ve enjoyed most is the freedom to shape my own days and the joy of connecting with my community. Building a “tea fam” of people who love my tea and feel more like friends than customers has been the best part. Every conversation at a market, message from a customer, or photo shared with a cup of tea reminds me why I started. It’s incredibly fulfilling to know that something I created brings comfort and happiness to others.
Q: What other passions do you have besides your business?
A: Outside of tea, I love exploring the gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains, camping or hiking whenever I can. Asheville has such a special connection to nature, and spending time outdoors helps me recharge and find inspiration. I’m also a big fan of Asheville’s incredible food and drink scene and love discovering new local spots. At home, I’m a proud cat mom to three tripod rescue cats who keep life entertaining and full of love.
While visiting Asheville, Katie recommends:
- If you’re visiting Asheville, don’t miss the LaZoom Comedy Tour – it’s the perfect mix of local flavor and fun. Spend an afternoon driving the Blue Ridge Parkway or hiking one of the nearby trails to soak up the mountain views. For great food, I recommend Leo’s House of Thirst or Hail Mary, and be sure to grab a cocktail at Antidote to end the day.
Support Full Moon Tea Company and Katie by:
- You can support Full Moon Tea Company, and the many small businesses still recovering from Hurricane Helene, by shopping local and visiting Asheville. Our community relies on tourism, and every purchase or visit helps keep our makers, artists, and small business owners thriving. Whether you stop by a local market, order online, or share our story, it all makes a difference.