Get Hands-On Bubble Tea Training With Boba Academy
Have you ever walked down a bustling Portland street, perhaps past the vibrant storefronts on NE Alberta St., seen a line of happy customers spilling out of a bubble tea shop, and thought, “I wish I could do that”? The dream of owning your own business, of creating a community hub, and of serving up delicious, joyful treats is a powerful one. For many, however, the path to entrepreneurship seems complicated, expensive, and full of unknowns.
What if you could learn everything you need to know in a single day?
Welcome to the Boba Business Academy, a one-of-a-kind, hands-on boba tea training course designed to turn your passion into a thriving business. Forget confusing online tutorials or the astronomical costs of franchise fees. We provide a direct, intensive, and practical roadmap to success, taught by a local expert who has built a boba empire from the ground up right here in the Portland and Beaverton area.
This isn’t just a class; it’s your launchpad. It’s the moment you stop dreaming and start doing.
Meet Your Boba Tea Consultant: Kao Khamphilavong
Behind every great cup of boba at our five Tea & Tea locations is a story of passion and persistence. That story belongs to Kao Khamphilavong, the founder of Tea & Tea and your personal mentor at the Boba Business Academy.
Kao wasn’t born into the business. His journey started just like yours might—with a deep love for bubble tea and a powerful curiosity. He spent countless hours visiting other shops, not just as a customer, but as a student. He would observe every detail: the flow of the customer line, the layout of the equipment behind the counter, the way the staff interacted with patrons. He would then spend his evenings at home, relentlessly experimenting with tea brews, sugar ratios, and tapioca pearl recipes, chasing that perfect balance of flavor and texture.
This dedication led to the first Tea & Tea shop. It was a leap of faith, built on a foundation of hard-earned knowledge. But one shop wasn’t the end of the dream. Even when facing the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic, Kao’s resilience and the strong support from the local community allowed him to expand. Now, with five successful locations across Portland and Beaverton—on NE Alberta St., SE 72nd Ave., SW Orbit St., SE Division St., and SW Yamhill St.—Kao has created a beloved local brand. His story is a testament to the fact that with the right knowledge and determination, you can build something truly special.
Now, he wants to share his playbook with you. He’ll provide you with the boba tea training to help you avoid the common pitfalls and accelerate your journey to opening day.
The Boba Tea Boom: Your Opportunity is Now
It’s impossible to miss—bubble tea is more than a trend; it’s a cultural phenomenon. From students gathering for a study session near Portland State University to families looking for a weekend treat in downtown Beaverton, the demand for high-quality boba is exploding. The global bubble tea market is a multi-billion dollar industry and continues to grow at a staggering rate. According to a report by Fortune Business Insights, the market is projected to grow significantly in the coming years.
This growth presents a golden opportunity. You could partner with a large, recognizable franchise, but that often means paying massive upfront fees, followed by endless royalties that eat into your profits. You’re tied to their menu, their branding, and their rules.
But there is a better way.
The other option—the one we champion—is to open your own shop. Imagine the freedom to create your own unique brand, to develop a signature drink that becomes the talk of the town, and to keep every dollar you earn. By building your own business, you save an enormous amount of money and gain the flexibility to build a legacy that is truly yours.
Skip the Franchise, Own Your Success
Our 1-day intense, live, and interactive course is designed to give you that freedom. This isn’t a lecture in a sterile classroom. This is an immersive, hands-on boba tea training experience led by Kao himself. You will be inside the engine room of a real, operating Tea & Tea shop.
You will see the day-to-day operations in real-time. You’ll observe how the staff efficiently handles the lunch rush, how the equipment is strategically set up for maximum workflow, and how the shop’s layout creates a warm and inviting atmosphere. More importantly, you will get your hands dirty. You’ll be behind the counter, learning how to brew the tea, cook the boba to the perfect chewy consistency, and craft the delicious drinks that keep our customers coming back.
This immersive approach is designed to cut down your learning curve by years. The mistakes Kao made and the lessons he learned are now your shortcuts. This course will save you thousands of dollars in potential errors, from choosing the wrong equipment to signing an unfavorable lease. You will leave with the confidence and the comprehensive knowledge needed to open your shop sooner and be miles ahead of the competition.
Boba Academy Course Topics
We leave no stone unturned. This comprehensive course covers every critical aspect of opening and running a successful bubble tea shop.
| Category | What You’ll Learn |
| Foundation | Location, Location, Location: How to scout the perfect spot, analyze foot traffic, and understand local demographics. |
| Lease Negotiation: Insider tips on how to negotiate terms that protect you and your investment. | |
| Build-Out | Your Store Layout: Designing a floor plan for efficiency, ambiance, and customer experience. |
| Building Your Store: Navigating permits, contractors, and the construction process. | |
| Licenses & Permits: A clear guide to the essential paperwork required to operate legally in Oregon. | |
| Operations | Equipment: A complete list of necessary equipment, from sealers to shakers, and where to source it. |
| Suppliers: How to find and vet suppliers for high-quality tea, powders, syrups, and tapioca pearls. | |
| Making Drinks: Hands-on training on how to prepare our signature drinks and create your own unique recipes. | |
| Day-to-Day Operation: Mastering inventory management, scheduling, and daily checklists. | |
| Business | Cost Analysis: Understanding your startup costs, pricing your menu, and managing your budget for profitability. |
| Employees: How to hire, train, and retain a friendly and efficient team. | |
| Accounting & POS: Setting up your point-of-sale system and basic bookkeeping practices. | |
| Growth | Marketing: Proven strategies for a successful launch, including social media, local outreach, and promotions. |
| Grand Opening: A step-by-step plan to create a buzz and ensure a packed opening day. |
Our boba tea training goes beyond recipes. We teach you the business of boba. Effective marketing, for example, is crucial for any new business. We’ll show you how to leverage social media and local community engagement to build a loyal following before you even open your doors, a strategy essential for modern small businesses as highlighted by resources like the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes this boba training different from online courses?
Our Boba Business Academy is a fully immersive, hands-on experience. Instead of watching videos, you’ll be in a real, operating bubble tea shop—one of our five Portland-area locations. You will make drinks, use professional equipment, and observe a real business in action. Most importantly, you get direct mentorship from Kao Khamphilavong, a successful owner, allowing you to ask specific questions and receive personalized advice that no online course can offer.
How much does it really cost to open a boba shop in Oregon?
The total startup cost can vary greatly depending on location, size, and the extent of renovations. However, our course provides a detailed breakdown of all potential expenses—from rent and equipment to licensing and initial inventory. We teach you how to create a realistic budget and, more importantly, how to save thousands by avoiding common, costly mistakes in lease negotiation and equipment purchasing, giving you a clearer financial picture than you’d find anywhere else.
Do I need to have business or restaurant experience to succeed?
Absolutely not! Our boba tea training is designed for passionate entrepreneurs from all backgrounds. Kao Khamphilavong started with a dream, not a business degree. This course is built to bridge that gap, teaching you the specific business skills, operational knowledge, and marketing strategies you need for the bubble tea industry. We provide the A-to-Z playbook, so all you need to bring is your passion and determination.
Your Bubble Tea Dream is Within Reach
Stop waiting for the “perfect time” or letting uncertainty hold you back. The opportunity is here, and the path is clear. With the Boba Business Academy, you can gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence to build your own successful bubble tea business in just one day.
Ready to stop dreaming and start brewing? Contact us today to learn more and enroll in our next hands-on boba tea training session!
