There’s something special about the British countryside. It’s the blend of heritage, landscape, craft, and character that gives every rural business its own heartbeat. What I’ve discovered over the last 25 years from running heritage-inspired tearooms in the USA to settling back into rural England, is that people don’t just buy products. They buy stories, experiences, atmosphere and meaning. And that belief sits at the centre of everything I do today.

My name is Tina Jesson, and I help rural cafés, artisan producers, farm shops and countryside hospitality businesses turn their unique story into a paid experience that customers love and remember.

My entrepreneurial journey began in the UK, long before the word “experiential” became a trend. I learned early on that business is not just a transaction, it’s about how you make people feel. I moved across the Atlantic, where I founded Tina’s Traditional, a group of British tearooms brand rooted in authenticity, comfort and heritage. Over a decade in the United States taught me how powerful cultural storytelling can be. Brits may take afternoon tea for granted, but Americans wanted to know the why, the history, the ritual and they were happy to pay for the experience of feeling transported.

Those years cemented a philosophy I teach today: when you honour your heritage and turn it into something people can taste, touch, learn or participate in, you unlock a business model stronger than a business transaction alone could offer.

When I returned to the UK, I found that many rural businesses were struggling with the same core issue: great products, great passion… but an unclear story. A beautiful farm shop without a narrative behind its produce. A market town café with no clear identity. An artisan baker lacking the confidence to show their process on camera. A family-run farm unsure how to turn loyal customers into profitable year-round visitors.

That’s where my work now comes in. I help business owners create experiences that are rooted in place, history and craft and then I teach them how to present and promote those stories with confidence.

Because I’m also a trained broadcast journalist, I bring a fresh perspective to rural enterprise. Storytelling is no longer optional. It’s your marketing, your connection, and your business engine. And you don’t need flashy PR to make it work, you need clarity, confidence and a strong narrative that reflects who you truly are.

I work with rural and artisan entrepreneurs to design:

• Paid workshops and masterclasses built around local ingredients, seasonal traditions or heritage skills

• Experience-led hospitality add-ons, from afternoon teas to tasting boards, fireside storytelling events, and behind-the-scenes tours

• Brand narratives that speak to your customers’ hearts, not just their stomachs

• On-camera confidence, helping owners feel natural and authentic on video or radio

• Marketing rooted in place, economy and identity, rather than generic advertising

My aim is to champion countryside businesses that deserve to thrive, businesses that enrich their communities, safeguard local skills, and offer the kind of hospitality people travel for. I want to help you build something sustainable, joyful and rooted in your own story.

The countryside is full of hidden gems. My job is to help them shine, connect, and grow.

If you’re ready to turn what you do into something people experience, not just buy, then I’d love to guide you through the process. Give me a call today and lets bring out your story, develop your guest and customer experience and increase your reach and revenue.