Sip Herbals

Caffeine-free herbal coffee alternative, so you can savor the ritual without the crash.

Fundraising

About the Business

Sip Herbals makes Faux Joe™, a caffeine-free herbal coffee alternative crafted from roasted chicory root, dandelion root, and carob. We exist for the people who love the ritual of coffee but not what it does to their bodies: pregnant and nursing moms, folks managing anxiety or sleep issues, and anyone simply cutting back on caffeine. Founded in 2021, Sip Herbals has grown into a brand with over $1M in lifetime revenue and a loyal, repeat customer base, earning recognition from Shark Tank, Forbes, Essence, and NBC News. We believe wellness shouldn't mean giving up the moments you love, just reimagining what fills the cup.

Orleatha Smith

I'm Orleatha Smith, Co-Founder and CEO of Sip Herbals, the caffeine-free herbal coffee alternative brand behind Faux Joe™. My path here wasn't linear. I spent years as a biology teacher before moving into corporate Learning & Development at companies like ADP and Nationwide Insurance, where I discovered how much I loved making complicated things understandable. That same instinct is what led me to entrepreneurship.

Sip Herbals started in 2021 with a Kickstarter and a simple belief: people deserve a warm, ritual-worthy cup that doesn't come with caffeine jitters. Faux Joe™, a blend of roasted chicory root, dandelion root, and carob, became that answer. Since then, we've built over $1M in lifetime revenue, earned a 34% repeat purchase rate, and been featured on Shark Tank, in Forbes, Essence, and NBC News.

As a Certified Master Herbalist and Tory Burch Fellow, I'm building Sip Herbals into a lasting, values-driven brand rooted in wellness, community, and access. I'm currently raising our SAFE round and expanding into hospitality distribution while developing domestic sourcing relationships for our core ingredients.

Inside the Fellowship

The Tory Burch Foundation Fellows Program connects extraordinary women entrepreneurs with the essential tools to scale, lead and shape the economy. Most importantly, Fellows engage with decision-makers and founders who are committed to growing together and building with intention.

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505

Fellows

45+

States

20+

Industries

$500M+

Economic Power